West Palm Beach Standouts Part 2
This past weekend players from the 2020-2023 classes came together in West Palm Beach, FL for the South Florida Fall Invitational. Each team played four games over the two-day stretch at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches complex.
Below are 10+ players who stood out on the second day of the event (Sunday) along with a brief report on each:
2022 RHP/SS Nazier Mule (Gamblers Elite)
Impending presence at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds on a physical, athletic frame. Displayed an electric arm on the mound, running his fastball up to 93 mph, mostly sitting 89-92. Plenty of run, ball really jumps out of his hand. Also mixed in a 78-79 mph slider with depth. Offensively, he shows above average bat speed with gap-to-gap power, looking to drive the ball with intent. Very strong follow and is one of the top uncommitted players for his class nationally.
2022 IF Jonathan Gonzalez (Gamblers Elite)
Physical, athletic frame standing at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. Shows above average bat speed from the right side with pull side pop. Laced one deep over the left fielder’s head, one-hopping the fence for an easy standup double during the game. Followed it up later on by driving a ball just over the right side of the infield for a two-run single. More power to come, corner infielder who shows solid defensive actions around the bag. Also was up to 82 mph on the mound, displaying above average arm strength. Uncommitted.
2022 RHP Osnel Rojas (Genesis Baseball)
Lean frame with a quick arm. Struck out two in his first inning of work running his fastball up to 85 mph. Mostly sat 81-84 with late life while mixing in a slider at 76-77 mph. Also shows some present bat speed from the right side offensively.
2023 OF Justin Best (Gamblers Elite)
Florida State commit. Long, lean frame standing at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. Big leg kick for his load and hits from a low handset from the left side. Has an uphill finish, looking to drive the ball deep into the gaps, especially to the pull side. Drove one through the right side of the infield for an RBI single during the game. More power to come as he fills out. Shows loose, athletic actions defensively.
2023 LHP Garrett Smith (West Boynton Vipers)
Loose arm with plenty of projection. Has a big leg kick before his delivery. Struck out the side in his third inning of work. Mostly sat 80-82 mph fastball with run along with a big loopy curveball at 62-64 mph. Works down in the zone, plenty more velocity to come.
2023 IF/RHP Chris Diaz (Gamblers Elite)
Miami commit. Lean, athletic frame standing at 6-foot, 160 pounds. Take a strong at-bat out of the leadoff spot and shows quick hands with a feel for the barrel from both sides of the plate. Gets out of the box with intent and looks to turn a single into an extra base hit. Also was impressive on the mound, sitting 85-87 mph with his fastball with run while mixing in a 71-73 mph curveball and 75-76 mph changeup. Highly athletic two-way, strong follow.
2023 IF Walker Vanecek (FTB)
Continued to make an impact offensively, driving one into left field for an RBI single. Strong frame with above average bat speed. Middle of the order type hitter.
2022 C/1B Samuel Hernandez (Genesis Baseball)
Consistently found the barrel throughout the weekend for multiple extra base hits. Crushed one over the left fielder’s head for an easy standup double. Ball really jumps off the bat.
2021 MIF Timo Aracena (Naturals Florida)
Continued his torrid hitting on the weekend, driving one back up the middle for a single during the game. Shows a lot of confidence driving the ball all over the field from the left side.
2022 OF Jacob Delano (Orlando Reds)
Quick hands from the left side and has continually squared the ball up multiple times throughout the fall. Drove a ball back up the middle for a hard hit line drive single. Creates pressure on the base paths as well.
2023 OF Jensel Nieves (FIGS Farm Underclass)
Laced a ball over the left fielder’s head for a standup double. Compact frame with quick twitch athletic actions. Looks to take the extra base on a ball hit into the gaps.
