Preseason All-813Preps Watchlist: Pitchers
As part of our preseason interactions with head coaches in our yearly survey, we asked each coach for one player from their team and any from outside their program for our preseason All-813Preps watchlist.
Any player that received two or more mentions earned a spot on our watchlist.
Whether flame-thrower or finesse-dealer, take a read through the arms that will be tasked with controlling the pace around the 8-1-3 this season.
Previous Watchlists:
• Catchers • Infielders • Outfielders
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Wilson Andersen, Jesuit
Class: 2026, Mississippi State commit
Breakdown: After a breakout freshman season in 2023, Andersen missed the first half of his sophomore season due to injury. But he got right to work when he returned in late-March, going 3-1 in 10 appearances with a 2.69 ERA and 34 strikeouts, closing out the year with a 2 2/3 inning relief appearance and save in the state championship game. With another summer playing for USA Baseball, Andersen has taken a huge leap, now regularly delivering 93-95mph fastballs. A strikeout race between Andersen and last season’s county leader Berkeley Prep’s Rivers Kurland could be a lot of fun at the end of the year. He is also expected to have a significant role in the Tigers’ offense, batting in the top of the lineup.
Coach’s Take: “Wilson is one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met. Obviously very talented, but the hunger to be the best he has is contagious.” – Jesuit coach Miguel Menendez
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Jake Carbaugh, Plant City
Class: 2026, Wake Forest Commit
Breakdown: As a sophomore Carbaugh showed swing-and-miss stuff for a Raiders team that struggled to support its pitching last season. In his 38 innings, the right-hander struck out 62, with a 3.50 ERA, while walking 21. His coach, Mark Persails said he took a big step forward this offseason, improving his velocity and getting a better handle on his “nasty” changeup. With support from his hitters, we expect his season record to turn out better than 2024’s 1-5 mark.
Coach’s Take: “Jake is the kind of kid that any time he’s out on that mound, you’ve got a good chance to win that game. He can out-stuff people. He’s a young 16-year-old junior, anywhere from 86-93 on the mound and has a nasty little changeup and slider. He’s incredibly competitive, goes right after hitters, and works fast.” – Plant City coach Mark Persails
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Arley Duran, Leto
Class: 2025, Hillsborough Community College commit
Breakdown: Duran’s 2024 season was pretty darn impressive on both the mound and at the plate. The first baseman and left-handed pitcher posted a .342 batting average, with 23 RBI, 15 runs and two homers, while also going 4-1 on the mound in 45 innings, striking out 61 and posting a 0.62 ERA. He will be relied upon heavily by the Falcons for chunks of innings and to support himself (and other pitchers) with production.
Coach’s Take: “Arley will be our workhorse on the mound this season. He has worked very hard during the off season and has become a very good silent leader. His pitch ability, command, and velocity have increased. We are looking for Arley to help the team both on the mound and in the lineup.” – Falcons coach JJ Pizzio
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Brandon Gonzales, Sickles
Class: 2025, Pasco-Hernando State commit
Breakdown: Gonzales has been very good in his first two varsity season, posting a career 12-1 record with a 1.76 ERA and 84 strikeouts. As a sophomore, he made an early-season impact while then-ace Caden McDonald was out with an injury, helping the Gryphons stay in rhythm as they marched to a state title. A steady 5-1 mark as a junior, he added 33 2/3 innings to a 22-8 region final team. As the established No. 1, and after the run the Gryphons have had in that position in recent years, Gonzales has the experience to meet the legacy that has had Sickles amass 20-plus wins the last three years.
Coach’s Take: “Gonzo is a really hard worker, quiet leader, leads by example, always getting in extra work, extremely coachable, great culture and locker room guy. Exemplifies the type of character that you want in your program.” – Sickles coach Eric Luksis
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Rivers Kurland, Berkeley Prep
Class: 2025, Florida State University signee
Breakdown: There is very little left for Kurland to do to cement his legacy as the best pitcher in Berkeley Prep history. He is a two-time All-813Preps First Team selection and a one-time second team pick, who has the school’s win record 20-4 and strikeout mark – a mark (269) that should surpass 300 with ease this season. A fiery competitor, Kurland has earned all his accolades with hard work, starting as a freshman where he locked down the final innings (six saves) for a state runner-up Bucs team. The only thing alluding the FSU-signed lefty is a gold medal at the end of the year. We are excited to see if he can best his county-leading 118 K-mark from 2024, and if that can help him add the only piece missing from his HS resume – a gold medal.
Coach’s Take: “Rivers Kurland is a highly touted left-handed pitcher. Beyond his talent on the mound, he is a true leader, setting a positive example for his teammates with his dedication and commitment to excellence. His presence makes a difference both on and off the field.” – Buccaneers coach Richie Warren
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Winston Pennant, Sumner
Class: 2026, Ole Miss commit
Breakdown: The junior will be counted on for a big uptick in usage on the mound this year, and Stingrays’ skipper Kennedy Duran says the 6-foot-3, 215 pound is poised to really breakout. Last season, he contributed more at the plate and in the outfield (.318 avg/18 RBI/13 runs/seven 2Bs/two HR) than on the mound (just 5ip, 1.40 ERA, six K’s). But a strong travel summer and good fall/preseason have a lot of people inside-and-out of the Sumner program talking, and the Ole Miss commit could be a big factor in getting the Stingrays to the next level in year five of the program.
Coach’s Take: “Winston has solid understanding of the strike zone and is cool under pressure. He has plus-plus power and is a great athlete, who is now just focused on baseball. Ole Miss is getting a good one. He can absolutely chuck it on the mound.” – Stingrays coach Kennedy Duran
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Hayden Porter, Bloomingdale
Class: 2025, Polk State commit
Breakdown: Bloomingdale’s run to the state final four last season was gritty in every way you would hope a team, challenged by their head coach, would close out a year. And Porter was a HUGE part of that. He went 6-4, with a 1.55 ERA and 66 strikeouts – but his postseason run included four appearances (three wins and a save), 18 innings, ZERO runs on six hits and 20 punchouts. An All-813Preps first teamer, Porter has the chance to have a special final chapter of his high school career, which also includes a sophomore season at Bell Creek, where he posted a 2.96 ERA across 23+ innings.
Coach’s Take: “Hayden enters this season as our number one on what we believe is a very deep staff. He has really emerged as a great leader, and we are expecting another big year from him.” – Bloomingdale coach Kris Wilken
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Nick Riedel, Carrollwood Day
Class: 2025, Newberry College signee
Breakdown: Riedel had an outstanding 2024 season as CDS set a school-record wins mark, factoring in as a solid two-way player and earning All-813Preps first team honors. He was 7-2, with a 1.70 ERA, striking out 70, while batting .319/17 RBI/12 runs/eight 2Bs/two homers), and the Patriots return a big bulk of those players from a season ago, hungry to make an historic mark at the school. He is an intense competitor, who closed out the postseason last year going 2-0 in three appearances, allowing just two unearned runs and struck out 17 in as many innings.
Coach’s Take: “Nick is entering the 24-25 season with tremendous growth and confidence, as he leads our bullpen to compete with true intentions. He will be chasing the All-time strikeout record this year for sure.” CDS coach Tony Brewington
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Brisen Tweedy, Strawberry Crest
Class: 2025, State College of Florida commit
Breakdown: Another player whose summer saw a big jump in command and velocity. Tweedy led the Chargers staff in appearances last year (16), while going 2-2, with a 2.62 ERA/30 K’s. His lone preseason start last week, saw the righty punch out seven in 3 1/3 innings. Along with quality stuff, Crest coach Eric Beattie said Tweedy’s biggest gains from a season ago could actually be his understanding of the game – noting his “thinking, acting and preparation” should lead to dominating work on the mound.
Coach’s Take: “Brisen has a 4-5 pitch mix with his best pitch being a 90+mph sinker to go along with a cutter in the mid to upper 80mph range. He has shown great command this fall and spring to go with a fastball reaching 95mph during his last three outings. He loves to compete and his passion for baseball is contagious.” – Chargers head coach Eric Beattie
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Kaden Waechter, Jesuit
Class: 2026, Florida State commit
Breakdown: Unfortunately, due to a knee injury during Jesuit’s first preseason game, Waechter’s 2025 season debut will be delayed. But, after his breakout sophomore season where he earned a spot on the All-813Preps second team, whenever Waechter rejoins the Tigers, he is sure to have a big impact. Last season, he gave up three runs in his first appearance on the mound, then didn’t give up another earned run over his next 12 appearances, finishing with five saves and a 0.94 ERA. Equally as impactful, Waechter’s midseason takeover of shortstop provided a needed spark for the state champs. Tigers’ coach Miguel Menendez said on Thursday that Waechter – who he anticipated to be one of the county’s best two-way players – factoring into the top of the lineup – received some hopeful news and he may only miss 4-6 weeks.
Coach’s Take: “Kaden is the most humble, great player I’ve probably ever coached. You come to our practice and you wouldn’t know if he was this big-time college commitment or a young man just trying to work his way into the lineup.” – Tiger coach Miguel Menendez
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Dominic Woodward, Tampa Catholic
Class: 2025, State College of Florida commit
Breakdown: Just shy of 40 innings a season ago, Woodward was a solid piece of the Crusaders pitching stable posting a 2.47 ERA with 48 strikeouts. He will again factor in as a two-way player for TC, after driving in 15 and scoring 14 a season ago. Woodward, whose high school career began at Plant, where as a freshman he closed out the Panthers Saladino Final win, will see a workload increase on the mound this year. Coach Paul Russo said he is prepared and focused on being an on-field leader this spring as the Crusaders contend what’s likely to be one of the most competitive districts in the 8-1-3.
Coach’s Take: “We are looking for Dominic to have a great year both on the mound and at the plate. He has done a great job of handling the workload of a two-way player. I’ve seen a lot of change in his mindset and approach to the game the last two years. He will be exciting to watch.” – Crusaders coach Paul Russo Jr.
