The Manatees will be without 17 players as they have either graduated, transferred to another colleges/universities or better. Christian Gordon (Virginia Commonwealth), Nick Gotilla (Iowa), Harrison Long (Virginia Commonwealth), Kyle Harbison (Western Carolina), Jake Jackson (Liberty), Gabe Wright (Indian River State), Owen Ayers (Marshall), Gage Adams (Indian River State), Dillon Cerrone (FSW), Miguel Larreal (Eastern Kentucky), Jackson Hauck (Coastal Alabama - South), Brandon Fields (Southeastern), Josh Beck (Central Alabama CC), Gavin Adams (Florida State) and Nick Cosentino (UNC Charlotte) have all transferred.
Tayden Hall, the son of former Tampa Bay Ray Toby Hall, was the only player who was in the 2022 MLB Draft as he was selected in the ninth round by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Despite the 17 players parting ways, Hill has signed 21 newcomers thus far, with 10 of them being sophomore transfers.
Richie Morales:
Morales, a local product and infielder from Bradenton, returns home to join the Manatees after transferring from Florida State University with one year of eligibility remaining. As a member of the Seminoles, Morales played made four appearances with one start and had five assists. Originally, he committed to Tulane before deciding to join FSU.
Prior to FSU, Morales played and graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School where he was listed as the #20 prospect at shortstop according to Perfect Game while being selected as to the Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-America Third Team (2019).
While playing for the Mustangs, he played two years on varsity with his junior year being his breakthrough year as he finished batting .409 with 38 hits, 15 RBI and 16 stolen bases while leading them to a trip to the FHSAA 8A State Championship. He finished his career batting .357 with 41 hits, 15 RBI, 37 runs and 16 stolen bases.
Preston Wetherell:
A right-handed pitcher/infielder from Port Orange, Florida, Wetherell joins after transferring with Morales from Florida State University with up to two years of eligibility remaining. He redshirted his freshman year at FSU to maintain his eligibility.
Prior to FSU, Wetherell played and graduated from Spruce Creek High School. In three seasons of varsity, Wetherell finished his career with the Hawks batting .258 with 23 hits, four home runs and 27 RBI at the plate while going 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA, 10 walks and 39 strikeouts in 13 appearances on the mound. Additionally, he helped the Hawks to a runner-up finish at the FHSAA 7A State Baseball Championship before losing to Stoneman Douglas in the finals.
Jeremy Weaver:
A right-handed pitcher/outfielder from Winter Haven, Weaver joins the Manatees after graduating from Winter Haven High School. As a member of the Blue Devils, he played three years of varsity where he finished his career at 4-2 with a 3.53 ERA, 60 walks and 97 strikeouts while batting .333 with five hits, two home runs and eight RBI.
Per Perfect Game, Weaver is ranked at #500 nationally and #128 in the state of Florida.
Connor Hults:
A left-handed pitcher from St. Johns, Florida, Hults joins the Manatees after transferring from Jacksonville University with one year of eligibility remaining. As a member of the Dolphins, Hults played five total games in two seasons where he went 0-2 with a 21.00 ERA, nine walks and five strikeouts in five games.
Prior to Jacksonville, Hults played for and graduated from Creekside High School in St. Johns, Florida. There, as a member of the Knights, he played three years of varsity where he was a three-time FHSAA All-County selection, despite injuries plaguing him, and helped the Knights to two straight appearances in the FHSAA 7A State Tournament, which included a trip to the final four of the 2019 FHSAA 7A State Tournament where they fell to Venice in the state semis. Hults has also participated in several world championships and showcases.
Logan 'LT' Cockrill:
A catcher and local product from Palmetto, Cockrill returns home and joins the Manatees after graduating from Centennial High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the previous two seasons with the Bulldogs, Cockrill put a career .365 batting average with 27 hits, one home run, 20 RBI, 20 runs and 17 walks while leading the Bulldogs to the NIAA 5A Southern Regional Tournament.
Brandon Clarke:
A left-handed pitcher from Ashburn, Virginia, Clarke joins the Manatees after transferring from the University of Alabama with up to two years of eligibility remaining. While he did not play a game for the Crimson Tide, Clarke was still a member of the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
Prior to Alabama, Clarke played his first two years at Rock Ridge High School before transferring and graduating from Independence High School. With the Phoenix, he pitched all 12 games with 50 strikeouts in 35 innings his sophomore year while being named the Burg Big Sports Network Pitcher of the Year his sophomore year. After he transferred to join the Tigers, Clarke helped them to the VHSL Boys Baseball State Championship during his senior year (the school's first year).
While in high school, Clarke was ranked the #1 left-handed pitcher in Virginia (#14 in the nation) and the #3 overall (#106 in the nation), according to Perfect Game USA. He was also ranked as the #5 draft prospect during the 2021 MLB Draft.
Trey Clucas:
A left-handed pitcher from Wilmington, North Carolina, Clucas joins the Manatees after transferring from Rice University in Houston, Texas. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
As a member of the Owls, Clucas made one relief appearance where he threw a third of an inning with a 54.00 ERA and one walk.
Prior to Rice, Clucas played for and graduated from Hoggard High School in Wilmington where he was a two-sport athlete playing both baseball and basketball.
Michael Forret:
A right-handed pitcher from Indian Trail, North Carolina, Forret joins the Manatees after graduating from Providence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the first three seasons, Forret played at Metrolina Christian Academy from eighth grade to sophomore year before transferring to Providence where he helped the Panthers to the NCHSAA 4A State Tournament.
Originally, he was committed to playing for Eastern Carolina University before deciding to forgo going and committed to SCF for the season instead.
Ed Wagner:
A right-handed pitcher from Haymarket, Virginia, Wagner joins the Manatees after transferring from George Washington University in Arlington, Virginia with up to two years of eligibility remaining. He did not play for the Colonials during the 2022 season.
Prior to committing to George Washington, Wagner graduated from Highland High School in Warrenton, Virginia where he was a two-sport athlete playing both baseball and basketball.
As a member of the basketball team for the Hawks, Wagner played in 28 games where he averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in his lone season while helping them to the semifinals of the VA VISSA DII Boys Basketball Tournament.
In baseball, he played three seasons where he batted a career .349 with 60 hits, five home runs, 52 RBI and 20 walks, while going 6-3 with a 3.33 ERA, 39 walks and 79 strikeouts. Wagner helped lead the Hawks to two runner-up appearances in the VA VISSA DII Boys Baseball Tournament.
Liam Best:
A right-handed pitcher from Sterling, Virginia, Best joins Wagner from George Washington University with one year of eligibility remaining. As a member of the Colonials, Best went 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA, seven walks and five strikeouts in five appearances.
Prior to committing to George Washington, Best played for Potomac Falls High School for the first two years before he played summer league baseball for the Baltimore Redbirds. As a member of the Panthers, he played on junior varsity his freshman year before moving up to varsity where he made three appearances with a 12.12 ERA, 15 walks and nine strikeouts while batting .148 with four hits and four RBI and helping the Panthers to the VHSL Region 5C Tournament Semifinals.
Evan Mastromauro:
An infielder/right-handed pitcher from Port Orange, Florida, Mastromauro joins the Manatees after transferring from Stetson University in Deland, Florida with two years of eligibility remaining. As a member of the Hatters, Mastromauro redshirted and did not play a game.
Prior to Stetson, Mastromauro graduated from Spruce Creek High School where he was on varsity all four years for the Hawks. In his career there, he was a two-time All-Conference First Team selection via Daytona Beach News-Journal. In his senior year, Mastromauro helped the Hawks to a runner-up finish at the FHSAA 7A State Tournament where they fell to Stoneman Douglas High School in the finals. He batted .368 with 39 hits, 17 RBI, 23 runs scored and 17 walks.
Erick Almonte:
An infielder from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Almonte joins the Manatees from TNXL Academy in Ocoee, Florida. Prior to TNXL, Almonte played travel ball for Scotland Campus in Pennsylvania.
Liam Moreno:
A utility player from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Moreno joins the Manatees after transferring from Missouri State University with one year of eligibility remaining. With the Bears, he had five at-bats in four appearances.
Prior to Missouri State, Moreno played and graduated from Sun Prairie High School where he was a three-time all-conference selection where he helped lead the Cardinals to a state championship his senior year and two Big Eight Conference championships. In Wisconsin, he was ranked the #1 third baseman in the state (#15 overall) and #71 in the nation.
Mario Trivella:
A local product of Sarasota, Trivella, an infielder, joins the Manatees after graduating from Sarasota High School. As a member of the Sailors, Trivella played his last two seasons on varsity where he finished with a career batting of .324 with 44 hits, four home runs, 23 RBI, 35 runs and 28 walks. His senior year was his most productive as he batted .426 with 29 hits, four home runs and 19 RBI while helping to a trip to the FHSAA 7A State Tournament. He will redshirt this season.
Brendan Albrittain:
A right-handed pitcher from McLean, Virginia, Albrittain joins the Manatees after transferring from Suncoast Conference rival Hillsborough with two years of eligibility remaining. He did not play for the Hawks last season.
Prior to committing to HCC, Albrittain graduated from Flint Hill High School in Oakton, Virginia. There as a member of the Huskies, he was a two-sport athlete playing football and baseball.
After not playing in any games for the football team, Albrittain played three seasons of varsity where he batted .284 with 25 hits, one home run, 18 RBI, six runs and eight walks. He helped the Huskies to the VA VISSA DII Boys Baseball Division One Tournament.
Brian Gomez:
A right-handed pitcher from New York City, Gomez joins the Manatees after graduating from Inwood Academy for Leadership. As a member of the Trailblazers, he helped lead them to two state championships in New York.
Nick Romagnola:
A local right-handed pitcher from Bradenton, Romagnola returns to his hometown after transferring from Hillsborough CC. In his lone season with the Hawks, he went 1-4 with a 7.82 ERA, one save, 30 strikeouts and 28 walks.
Prior to HCC, Romagnola played at Out of Door Academy in Sarasota where he helped them to the FHSAA 2A and 3A State Championship Tournament.
Tyler Logan:
A right-handed pitcher and local product from Parrish, Logan joins the Manatees after graduating from Palmetto High School. As a member of the Tigers, Logan played two seasons before parting way and playing for the Florida Burn Platinum travel ball team. He will redshirt this season.
Jalen Hairston:
A infielder/right-handed pitcher from Winter Haven, Hariston joins the Manatees after graduating from Winter Haven High School. In his senior season with the Blue Devils, he batted .347 with 25 hits, one home run, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored and nine walks while helping them to the regional finals of the FHSAA 6A State Tournament.
Mario Lopez Jr:
A catcher from Tampa, Lopez Jr joins the Manatees as a double transfer from Pensacola State and recently Hillsborough while joining fellow teammate in Albrittain and Romagnola. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.
As a member of the Hawks, Lopez Jr batted .250 with 22 hits, eight RBI and 10 runs while maintaining a .988 fielding percentage behind the plate.
Before he transferred to HCC and then SCF, Lopez Jr began his collegiate career at Pensacola State. As a member of the Pirates he batted .229 with 11 hits, one home run, six runs scored and six RBI while maintaining a 1.000 fielding percentage. Additionally with the Pirates, Lopez Jr helped them win the Panhandle Regular Season Championship and went to the FCSAA State Tournament where they went 1-2.
Prior to his collegiate career, Lopez Jr played at Jefferson High School in Tampa. For his last two years on varsity, he finished batting .303 with 27 hits, three runs and 21 RBI while helping the Dragons to the regional semifinals of the FHSAA 6A Boys Baseball State Championship.
Victor Sanchez:
A catcher/utility player from Miami, Sanchez joins the Manatees after transferring from Chipola College in Marianna. He will have one year of eligibility remaining. As a member of the Indians, Sanchez batted .230 with 20 hits, three home runs, 14 RBI and 20 runs while helping the team to win the Panhandle Conference Regular Season Championship and make a trip to the FCSAA State Tournament where they went 2-2.
Prior to play at Chipola, Sanchez played his senior year at Hileah Educational Academey in Hileah, Florida where he batted .402 with 33 hits, seven home runs, 19 RBI and 18 runs while helping the Bulldogs to the regional finals of the FHSAA 3A State Championship.
Jayce Blalock:
An outfielder from Grantville, Georgia, Blalock joins the Manatees after transferring from Georgia Tech in the spring. He will will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Prior to Georgia Tech, Blalock enrolled and graduated from Trinity Christian High School in Sharpburg, Georgia where he was a two-sport athlete playing both football and baseball. On the Lions' football, Blalock played as a linebacker where he had six tackles (one solo) in four games played before switching to baseball. In three seasons with the Lions' baseball team, he batted .291 in his career with 48 hits, seven home runs and 43 RBI and 43 runs scored. His senior year was his most productive year as he batted .348 with 23 hits, five home runs and 19 RBI. Additionally, Blalock helped the Lions to the regional finals of the GHSAA Class A Private Baseball Championship.
Cameron Clines:
A right-handed pitcher from Lake Worth, Florida, Clines joins the Manatees after transferring from Georgia Tech with Blalock. He will have one year of eligibility remaining. As a member of the Yellow Jackets, Clines made four appearances with a 9.00 ERA, four walks and two strikeouts.
Prior to Georgia Tech, Clines played at Park Vista High School in Lake Worth where he played with the Cobras on varsity all four years. There he had a 2-1 record with 1.10 ERA and 40 strikeouts while helping them make a trip to the FHSAA 9A State Baseball Tournament.
Additionally, he has earned several awards and accolades, including the FHSAA Rookie of the Year (2019), a honorable mention for the Perfect Game Preseason All-American Team (2019) and six-time Perfect Game All-Tournament Team selection to name a few.
Returning Crew:
With the 23 newcomers joining the Manatees, Hill II was able to bring back six returners to help give the team some veteran experience. Rejoining the Manatees are Ben Gilbert, Austin Dearing, Brayden Woodburn, Lucas Ismali, Ryan Stefiuk and Kevin Karstetter.
Gilbert, a left-handed pitcher/outfielder, joined the Manatees last season as a double transfer from Ole Miss and Suncoast member Hillsborough. In his first season with the Manatees, despite nagging injuries, he batted .250 with 23 hits, one home run, 11 RBI and 18 runs scored while going making seven appearance on the mound with a 6.23 ERA, three saves, seven walks and 16 strikeouts.
Dearing joins the Manatees after transferring from Marshall University last season, but did not play in any games due to injury.
Woodburn did not play last season and redshirted the year due to a shoulder injury. He has not played since the 2021 season and returns as a redshirt sophomore. In his freshman year, Woodburn batted .306 with 52 hits, four home runs, 38 RBI, 42 runs and 40 walks while being named on the All-Suncoast Second Team.
While injuries plagued part of his season, Ismali, a transfer from the University of Pittsburgh, finished his first year with the Manatees batting .304 with 35 hits, three home runs, 21 RBI, 21 runs and 20 walks.
Stefiuk joined the Manatees spring last year after transferring from Vanderbilt University. He finished his first year going 3-2 with a 6.34 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 31 walks in 55.1 innings pitched.
Karstetter will enter his third year with the Manatees. The two-time All-Suncoast Second Team member finished his second year with the Manatees batting .349 with 73 hits, five home runs, 44 RBI, 55 runs and 28 walks. Originally, Karstetter was going to transfer to the University of Houston, but ultimately decided to rejoin the Manatee and utilize his COVID redshirt year.
Scouting Gulf Coast State:
The Commodores are coming off of finishing last season 31-18 overall with an 11-13 record in the Panhandle Conference. They are lead by head coach Tyler Younger, who enters his second season as head coach.
Key returners for the Commodores include pitcher Carson Dorsey (6-1, 3.07 ERA, 102 strikeouts, 39 walks; All-Panhandle First Team), outfielder Ethan Lizama (.301, 55 hits, five home runs, 44 RBI, 34 runs and 16 walks) and catcher Blake Dincman (.268, 40 hits, three home runs, 32 RBI and 22 runs; All-Panhandle Second Team).
How to Keep Up:
Fans can keep up with the Manatees on Twitter. Livestats will also be provided by GameChanger
Twitter - @SCFBaseball
GameChanger Link - https://gc.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment