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With an unexpected day off due to rain in Jacksonville, let’s take a look at how some of FSU’s commits fared this past week as the high school baseball season kicked off.
2020:
Anthony Shaver has real potential to be a 5-tool player at Florida State. The 8th-ranked OF in the state has thrown 92 MPH from the outfield and ran a 6.45 second sixty-yard dash. Last Friday, the Clermont-native showed off his pop with two home runs and two epic bat flips.
@ajshaver16 leading off the game with #1 in his senior season. @Mmetcalf32 @SLHS_Baseball_ @PBRFlorida pic.twitter.com/7bMhjjm5Uw
— Tony Shaver (@TonyShaver1) February 24, 2020
@ajshaver16 goes grand slam for #2. A fun Friday night at the ballpark. @Mmetcalf32 @SLHS_Baseball_ @PBRFlorida pic.twitter.com/joXMc2EuVe
— Tony Shaver (@TonyShaver1) February 24, 2020
Gavin Smith was a breakout arm on the travel ball scene this past summer. Smith has been up to 90 MPH with the fastball, which he pairs with a sharp slider. He’s currently rated the 61st RHP in Florida. Smith worked three innings of one-run ball against Venice to start his 2020.
Gavin Smith (2020) getting the start for @_AHbaseball_. Worked in the mid-upper 80s, pretty quick arm, good feel to spin the ball & manipulate shape. #Noles commit. #PGHS pic.twitter.com/qD2AvawaWC
— Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) February 22, 2020
FSU’s highest-rated commit Carson Montgomery showed why he’s one of the top prep arms for the 2020 MLB draft. Montgomery is rated the #1 RHP in FL and the 15th best player in the nation.
Carson Montgoemery (2020 FL) 91-95 touched a 96. Battled for some feel today but flashed a SL in the 80-82 W/ S/M. A couple CUs in the low-80s as well. Firm stuff, super athletic, the feel will come with in-season reps. Here is a sequence ending w/ a +SL for a K. #PGHS https://t.co/h2kozuUbSr pic.twitter.com/8pGopnW0rI
— Jered (@JeredGoodwin3) February 19, 2020
Andrew Armstrong doesn’t have the flashiest stuff, but he’s a polished and crafty pitcher that knows how to get outs. The lanky lefty has been up to 88 MPH on the mound, but gets the job done with a filthy curveball and unique delivery. Armstrong is currently rated the #3 LHP in Georgia. He has the arsenal to be an immediate impact arm out of the bullpen as a freshman.
Vince Smith is another guy that could make an immediate impact next season. This kid just hits everywhere he goes, whether it’s high school or travel ball. Through three games and 11 appearances, the middle infielder has made just three outs. He’s started his season 5-8 at the plate, including a clutch performance last Friday in a battle of reigning state champs. The Clearwater-native is rated the 10th shortstop in Florida.
@jackcebertt gave @SportsCalvary Baseball another strong start (4.1 IP)! @tommywhite44 was great out of the bullpen (4.2 IP, 6K’s)! @Calvary_BB was down to their last out when @smittyboy_3 (3-4, RBI, BB) laced a single to center to tie the game at 4!
— Calvary Christian Baseball (@Calvary_BB) February 23, 2020
2021:
The Seminoles’ most recent commit, Jaime Ferrer, had himself a good weekend, including a 3-3 game on Friday. The catcher posted two doubles on the day, including the one below. In three games, Ferrer went 4-8 with three runs.
2021 C @Ferrer1227 of @TNXLAcademy laced this ball deep into the LC gap for a double earlier in today’s game. #Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/GGcPWHko6j
— Diamond Prospect Media (@DiamondProMedia) February 21, 2020
Treyton Rank had himself quite the opening week. The Georgia-native posted five scoreless innings on the hill and went 4-7 at the dish in two games, including the walk-off single below. Rank is rated the #5 RHP in Georgia, but will come in as a two-way player he told me, “I would love to hit and come off the bump as long as possible. The coaches at FSU would like me to try and do both.”
@TreytonRank6 showed up today
— Press Sports App (@PressSports_) February 20, 2020
5IP | 8K | Game Winning RBI@bufordbaseball wins 2-1 pic.twitter.com/QbyZUrMCFb
Sadly, Cade Bush has to wear orange and blue for high school ball, but he’ll rep the garnet and gold in college. Hopefully more bombs and bat flips like the one below will follow for Bush when he puts the Seminole uniform on. The Florida-native is rated the #3 first baseman in the state.
2021 IF Cade Bush of @1gatorsbaseball absolutely crushes this ball for a solo HR deep over the LF wall. The @FSUBaseball commit shows EZ bat speed w/ present power. pic.twitter.com/WNJygXUKco
— Diamond Prospect Media (@DiamondProMedia) February 18, 2020
2022:
Jordan Taylor was FSU’s first commit of the 2022 class, and he’s showing why Meat got on his recruitment so early. Taylor is currently rated the 59th overall player in the 2022 class and has shown the potential of a 5-tool player. The Jacksonville-native is another potential two-way player for the Seminoles, as he’s touched 88 MPH on the hill. Watch him drop a nuke below (I could watch this swing and listen to the crack of the bat for hours).
What a way to start the varsity baseball season. 2022 FSU commit and best two way player in the state Jordan Taylor with the win on the mound and HR dead center !! pic.twitter.com/cyNeDj93Ew
— Dwayne Taylor (@dwaynet12) February 23, 2020
Brett Barfield is a highly projectable lefty arm with lots of room to grow. The LHP is currently rated the #4 LHP in Georgia and will only gets better as he adds weight to his lanky frame.
‘22 #FSU commit LHP Brett Barfield (@NFHSBaseball) relying mostly on his FB. Arm works long with quickness. Solid 6-foot, 170-pounds, more in the tank.
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) February 22, 2020
FB: 85-87 early, settled at 82-85, life low in zone
CB: 75, 1/7, some sharpness, rarely using@PBRGeorgia @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/KQAXdM1knB
Davion Hickson may have the highest ceiling of the current 2022 commits on the mound. The RHP has started his year with 7 innings of one-run ball, while striking out 10 and giving up just three hits. The 16 year old already stands 6’4 and touches 90 MPH on the mound. The sky is the limit for Hickson.
Atta Boy‼️ 10-0 for the win.. first regular season game! Way to go Knights @DavionHickson @OakleafBeisbol pic.twitter.com/sq3W41DiiT
— Laura Curry (@LauraCurry35) February 19, 2020
Great team win last night!! Sat 88-89 pic.twitter.com/c8mmMSaFFr
— Davion (@DavionHickson) February 25, 2020
Ben Barrett is another commit with real two-way potential. The Orlando-native is currently ranked the #7 third baseman in the state and has been up to 86 MPH on the hill. The 15-year old is an imposing figure in the box, standing 6’3 and 175 pounds. If he can add on some weight, he’ll be a true power threat in the box.
Ben Barrett (2022) known for his 2-way potential. The #FSU commit put together a couple good at bats for First Academy. Good body, athletic, length through contact. Swing has loft potential. #PGHS pic.twitter.com/kJ0xrofQOU
— Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) February 21, 2020
2023:
Justin Best was the Seminoles’ first 2023 commit after showing out at one of Mike Martin Jr.’s prospect camps. Best is rated the #1 player in the North Carolina and the 31st best player in the nation for 2023. The lefty hitter has a large and athletic frame at the plate. With 3 and a half years to put on muscle, Best could put balls over the RF fence at Dick Howser with ease if he reaches campus.
0-2 count JB continues to navigate top pitching as a 9th grader @jbest2004 @GGerardPG @JBrownPG @FSUBaseball commit... pic.twitter.com/oizusoXXfp
— Rick Best (@golowpro) February 22, 2020
Luke Dotson had himself a fine start to his high school career. The lefty tossed a no-hitter in five innings with three strikeouts. The freshman already stands 6’4 on the hill and has plenty of room to grow off a 170-pound frame. The Lake City-native is rated the fourth best LHP in the state.
First Varsity Start✅
— Luke Dotson (@lukedotson11) February 23, 2020
First Varsity No-hitter✅@Mmetcalf32 @jbel242 https://t.co/UyZZfYtmLs
Riley Jackson is FSU’s highest rated recruit for the 2023 class and has all the tools to be a star down the road. Jackson is rated the #1 catcher in Florida and the 17th best player in the nation. The catcher has started his freshman season 5-9 with four runs in three games.
Riley Jackson (Eau Gallie HS) is a big time bat in the 2023 class. Primary C who is currently playing third. Hard hit ball the other way here. Legit power potential down the road. Florida State commit. @Jackson24Riley pic.twitter.com/KsHiWlKgW8
— ProspectConnectSports (@PrspCntSports) February 20, 2020
Riley Jackson 2023 3B/C Eau Gallie High and FSU Commit with a solid day 1 for 2 with a Sac fly RBI and a 2 strike single with RBI. Eau Gallie 7 Rockledge 5 . EG wins . @5Starnational, @FSUBaseball , @JBrownPG @PG_Scouting pic.twitter.com/E9oAGu9Dmj
— Bobby Jackson (@BobbyJack1219) February 23, 2020