Preseason All-813Preps Watchlist: Outfielders
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.
We’ve caught you up on the position players in the dirt, now let’s look at the grouping that will patrol the no-fly zone across the grass – the outfielders.
Previous Watchlists:
• Catchers • Infielders
⚾
Rory Beauford Jr., East Bay
Class: 2025, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff commit
Breakdown: East Bay’s RBI leader a season ago with 25, Beauford’s junior season included a .311 average, 16 runs scored, with three home runs and seven stolen bases. East Bay looks to be a team that could make a solid jump forward from last year’s 14-8 record, and Beauford’s production will play a big part in that. We’re looking for his power numbers to increase with some solid offensive pieces in place around him.
Coach’s Take: “Rory is a highly skilled individual that has a passion for this game. He impacts the baseball with good back spin and pairs that with the ability to track anything down in the outfield, while also having a plus arm. A young man of high character and a work ethic that is beyond reproach.” – Indians coach Rowland Ruiz
Jamarques Benton, Jefferson
Class: 2025, Florida A&M signee
Breakdown: A four-year varsity starter for the Dragons, Benton’s experience will be crucial for a young Jefferson team that will likely feel the loss of key seniors from last year’s squad. The left-handed hitting Benton is a career .297 hitter, mixing pop and some speed. He’s moved around the field defensively during his high school career, and will take on more work on the mound this year as Jefferson will replace more than 90 innings from last season. Benton, a FAMU commit, had 22 hits, scored 17 runs and stole 19 bases as a junior. This year, paired at the top of the Dragons lineup with returning starter Isiah Fernandez, we look for an uptick in Benton’s offensive numbers in his final year at JHS.
Coach’s Take: “Jamarques is a guy that leads by example … he leads by being on time, doing his job, and producing on the field and in the classroom. He’s expected to give us innings on the mound this year, which he hasn’t had to do in his first three years but he is up for the challenge.” – Dragons coach Spencer Nunez
⚾
Christian Clarke, Carrollwood Day
Class: 2025, Princeton University signee
Breakdown: With 75 varsity games under his belt, Clarke is poised to wrap up his high school career as one of the most prolific offensive players in CDS history. He is a career .343 hitter with 54 RBI and 52 runs scored. He mixes in great speed, helping his team on the bases and in the outfield. Clarke, an All-813Preps first team selection last year, is an aggressive swinger and highly intelligent athlete who is committed in two sports (baseball/football) to Princeton.
Coach’s Take: “Christian is going into the 2025 season with the ability to lead the team with his offensive production. He is on mark to break the CDS most hits (record). He is a captain that knows how to lead with his actions more than his words.” – Patriots coach Tony Brewington
⚾
Dillon Knight, Strawberry Crest
Class: 2026
Breakdown: With a home run and two doubles in the Chargers two preseason games, Knight has the potential to stay atop the offensive leaderboards for the county this year. An explosive Crest outfield (paired with fellow senior, speedster CF Reuben Vasquez) defensively and at the plate set the top of the lineup. Last year, Knight hit .366, with 21 runs, 16 RBI, seven doubles, and a pair of triples and homers, to go with 12 stolen bases. We hope to see all of those numbers smashed for the bulked-up junior.
Coach’s Take: “Dillon has put on about 12 lbs this fall and that is leading to explosive contact. He makes great swing decisions and we can expect to see lots of extra-base hits from Dillon this spring as he leads the Chargers offense. He also has plus speed that will stand out on the bases and in the outfield.” – Chargers coach Eric Beattie
Jackson Mirza, Gaither
Class: 2025, University of South Florida signee
Breakdown: A difference-maker for two-straight district championship Cowboys teams, Mirza has been among the premiere leadoff hitters in recent seasons. A USF signed lefty and 2024 All-813 first teamer, Mirza batted .438 as a junior, scoring 30 runs and has extra-base pop in his bat, finishing last year with eight doubles, two triples and three home runs. He is four stolen bases away from 50 for his career and has scored 62 runs across his first three varsity seasons. Mirza has also been a contributor on the mound, striking out 35 in 26+ innings with a 2.89 ERA.
Coach’s Take: “Jackson has all the tools with elite athleticism and one of the best competitors I have ever coached. He has started here at Gaither for four years and I think 2025 will be his best. Special player.” – Gaither coach Nelson North
⚾
Cannon Murtagh, Jesuit
Class: 2026, Duke University commit
Breakdown: An early season JV call-up for Jesuit’s 2024 state title squad, who found a rhythm and consistent playing time in the outfield, contributing 15 runs and 15 RBI. Murtagh had four doubles a season ago and will factor in near the top of the Tigers’ order in his junior year. Starting the season in the two-hole, Murtagh paired with watchlist catcher Vincent DeCarlo, should produce very strong numbers in the county’s most potent lineup.
Coach’s Take: “An absolute bulldog both on and off the field. He’s a leader who pushes our guys to be better in all aspects. Great competitor who is never satisfied and is always looking to get better.” – Tigers coach Miguel Menendez
⚾
Cash Strayer, Plant
Class: 2025, University of Florida signee
Breakdown: Not only a four-year starter for the Panthers, but a flat-out producer for a Plant team that has reached the state finals and state semifinals in two of his first three seasons. He enters his final high school year with a .330 career average, 57 runs scored and 39 RBI. Another in a long and successful run of Gators commits from the south Tampa school, Strayer’s versatility and skills, both with his arm, glove and speed, has allowed Panthers skipper Dennis Braun to depend on him wherever he’s been needed defensively – seeing time in the middle infield and the outfield.
Coach’s Take: “He’s one of seven players I’ve had (in Braun’s 21 years at Plant) that started every inning as a freshman, and four of those other guys are big leaguers. As a centerfielder/hitter he can really hit, he can do all the things those guys could do when they were here. He’s on track, going to Florida, and I think he’s going to be that guy for us and in his future.” – Plant coach Dennis Braun
