Top Standouts from the 2022 FHSAA State Championships (2-4A)
Last week we had the opportunity to watch multiple games for the 2-4A Classes in Fort Myers, FL at the 2022 FHSAA Baseball State Championships. These semifinal and Championship games featured plenty of standout players, big performances, and ultimately for a few the celebration of a State title in the form of a dog pile and lifting the trophy. We congratulate Miami Christian (2A) North Broward Prep (3A) and Island Coast HS (4A) on their Championship wins.
Below are 10+ players that were key contributors for their teams over the past few days.
*Note: The matchups covered for the players listed below include: Miami Christian vs. Foundation Academy, Jensen Beach HS vs. Dunedin HS, Berkeley Prep vs. The Villages HS, North Broward Prep vs. Cardinal Newman HS, and Berkeley Prep vs. North Broward Prep.
2022 RHP/OF Yoel Tejeda (North Broward Prep, FL)
Florida commit. Long, tall, athletic frame at 6-6 with room to fill out. Turned in a very strong outing during the semifinal game, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings pitched while scattering two hits and striking out eight. Works out of a simple windup with a big leg kick before his delivery. Ball really jumps out of his hand. Loose, easy working arm that has more in the tank, running his fastball up to 95 mph a couple times throughout his outing. Mostly pitched at 92-94 while mixing in an above average changeup at 83-85 with fade and a 75-78 mph slider. Also a switch hitter with power from both sides of the plate. Tejeda is one the top prospects in the state for his class and will be one to watch to hear his name this upcoming July.
2023 RHP Chris Knier (Jensen Beach HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Present athleticism and turned in a complete game effort for the win to send his team to the State Finals. Ran his fastball up to 90 mph, mostly sitting a 86-89 but what really stood out was the command, control, and next level stuff his curveball presented. The 12/6 hard breaker came in at 76-78 mph (2700+ RPM) and not only caused multiple swings and misses, but induced lots of high pop ups and weak ground balls. Comfortable throwing it at any part of the count and kept the hitters off-balance consistently. Also mixed in a 79-81 mph changeup. Competes, attacks the hitter, and stays poised on the mound. Strong follow heading into the summer.
2023 MIF Cade Kurland (Berkeley Prep, FL)
Florida commit. Top of the order hitter who can not only get the offense going right from the jump by getting on base, but possesses the ability to drive the ball over the wall as well. During one of his at-bats he showed off his explosive bat speed when he launched a no-doubter home run over the left field wall. The hands are very fast through the zone and the ball really jumps off the bat. Takes a smart at-bat and stays balanced. Up the middle he makes all the plays, ranging to his right and left freely while fielding the ball under control. Above average arm across the diamond with accuracy and carry to his throws. Kurland shows multiple above average tools and will be a key contributor for the Gators in the future.
2024 OF Riley Luft (North Broward Prep, FL)
Uncommitted. Luft had an impactful showing offensively, delivering some big time base hits during key spots in the game. Very heads up, smart player. Loose, quick hands with a present feel for the barrel that allows him to drive the ball with intent, gap-to-gap. Two of his base hits included the game winner in the semifinals followed by a game tying hit during the Championship game. Always seems to step up big during crunch time. Aggressive runner on the base paths as well who not only gets good jumps on the pitcher, but will take advantage of a throw in to another base. Strong follow heading into the summer that should garner plenty of attention.
2022 RHP Drake Flowers (Cardinal Newman HS, FL)
FSU commit. Tall, projectable 6-5 frame. Was on the tough side of a loss in the semifinals, putting together a strong complete game effort that allowed only a single run. Quick arm with a longer arm swing before his delivery. Mostly sat 89-92 mph with his fastball while mixing in an 80-83 mph changeup that induced some swings and misses. Pounded the strike zone and attacked the opposing lineup. Flowers has more in there and has the chance to make some jumps for the Seminoles as an impact arm. Strong follow.
2025 LHP Rivers Kurland (Berkeley Prep, FL)
Uncommitted. Kurland took the ball in a high pressure start (Championship game) and never showed any signs of giving in. More than rose to the challenge and seemed to get stronger, more confident as the game went on. Easy working arm with a simple delivery. After giving a pair of early runs, he settled in and tossed multiple scoreless innings in a row, striking out some high-end bats. Mostly sat 82-83 mph with his fastball throughout his outing while mixing in a 68-71 mph curveball with depth along with a 73-74 mph changeup that showed some late fade. Stayed poised in the moment and was a bulldog on the mound. Young arm that will continue to make jumps. Very strong follow this summer.
2024 RHP Ryan McPherson (North Broward Prep, FL)
Mississippi State commit. Tall, athletic frame that projects to continue to fill out. Fast arm and works out of a simple windup before his delivery. Took on a strong offensive lineup and was able to generate multiple swings and misses while staying in control with some traffic on the base paths at times. Ran his fastball up to 91 mph and mostly pitched at 88-90. Displayed a four pitch mix along with his fastball that featured an 81-82 mph slider, 78-80 mph changeup, and a 72-73 mph curveball with depth. There’s more in there and shows a feel to throw all four pitches for strikes. Strong follow.
2022 C Gunnett Carlson (Berkeley Prep, FL)
FSU commit. Carlson was a leading force and played with both fire and passion during the semifinal and Championship games, doing whatever he could to help will his team to victory. Stood out both offensively and defensively, most notably when he showed off a strong and accurate arm gunning down a base runner at second base by almost 5 steps. Offensively he takes a smart at-bat and looks to drive the ball with intent for extra base hits, especially to the pull which was seen when he roped a ball down the right field corner for a triple along with an RBI double that was laced into the right-center field gap. Left handed hitting catcher with leadership characteristics that will translate to the next level. Strong follow.
2023 MIF Braden Holcomb (Foundation Academy, FL)
Vanderbilt commit. Holcomb immediately stands out with his tall, physical frame along with above average athleticism. Above average runner as well who can really move around the base paths once he gets going. During one of his at-bats he got ahold of a pitch and crushed a ball over the left field wall for a two-run home run. Present feel for the barrel and the ball explodes off the bat. Very strong arm across the diamond which was also seen when he hopped on the mound in relief and ran his fastball up to 93 mph. (has been up to 95 before) Multiple above average tools that not only put him near the top of his class nationally, but projects him as a very strong draft follow leading into next year.
2023 RHP/MIF Chris Diaz (Miami Christian, FL)
Miami commit. Diaz went the distance for a complete game effort, sending his team to the State Championship game. While Diaz is known as a switch hitter who can make an impact from both sides of the plate along with smooth, confident hands up the middle, he turned in quite an outing on the mound. Mostly pitched at 87-90 mph with his fastball (been up to 92 previously) with 2300+ RPM. Showed a present feel for his curveball as well that not only showed depth at 75-76 mph, but threw it consistently for strikes. Diaz shows above average athleticism and can impact a lineup in multiple ways. Strong follow.
2022 RHP JT Quinn (Berkeley Prep, FL)
Ole Miss commit. Put up a complete game effort to send his team to the State Championship. Tall frame with long limbs. Room to fill out from a physicality standpoint that should translate into additional jumps in velocity in the future. Simple windup with a more over the top delivery, longer arm swing. Featured a fastball that ran up to 92 mph, mostly pitching at 88-91 throughout his outing. Mixed in a 77-78 mph slider and a 72-73 mph curveball with 2500+ RPM. Strong follow.
2023 LHP Trey Beard (Dunedin HS, FL)
FAU commit. Long, projectable frame that will continue to fill out, add physicality. Works out of a simple, slow, windup with a loose, quick arm. During his outing he featured a fastball that sat 86-87 mph, touching 88 with 2400+ RPM. Induced multiple swings and misses and looked to work the inside corner on right handed hitters. More in there. Also mixed in a 70-72 CB with depth and shape. Lots to like moving forward and Beard will continue to be a strong follow that will make additional jumps.
2022 IF Anthony Castillo (Berkeley Prep, FL)
Tallahassee Community College commit. Castillo was an integral part for the top of the lineup for the Bucs, delivering multiple base hits (pair of doubles) from the left side of the plate. Loose, fast hands that show a present feel for the barrel and the ability to drive the ball into the gaps. Stays balanced throughout his swing and shows confidence in the box. Gets down the line with intent and shows above average speed that can translate to extra base hits. Smooth infielder up the middle as well, showing a quick transfer and release on the double play. Left handed hitter that consistently finds a way on base along with being a confident defender.
