813Preps 2025 Preseason Top 15
1. Jesuit
Jesuit junior righty Wilson Andersen
Head Coach: Miguel Menendez (18th season; 10th at Jesuit)
Last year: 26-6 – Class 5A State Champs
Season Opener: Tues, at Lakeland Christian, 7p
Breakdown: This was an easy call. Jesuit took a tough early-season hit losing Kaden Waechter to a knee strain for likely the first half of the season – and we still didn’t think about dropping them down. That’s how prepared we expect this team to be. Catcher Vincent DeCarlo is a strong leader, Wilson Andersen is a legit, top-of-the-county arm and is getting a chance to show off his offensive skills at the high school level for the first time, Cannon Murtagh is an exciting hitter who stepped up in a big way last year. We are excited to see expanded roles for seniors 1B Robby Santana, OF Brody Smith, and junior Christian Sheffield on offense. As always, Jesuit’s depth is such that the loss of Waechter (obviously hurts, but also) affords more opportunity to other pitchers. Coach Miguel Menendez mentioned he expects seniors LHP Ryan Thompson, RHP Brady Hoar and RHP Reed Biemiller all to be factors on the mound. Sophomore Samir Mohammed also looks to have a chance for a significant role on the mound. A crazy schedule of top teams from all over the country, not to mention attempts to avenge 2024 regular season losses against Gaither and Plant, the annual home-and-away with Tampa Catholic AND a showdown with Parkland Stoneman Douglas? The Tigers will assuredly be battle-tested come playoff time. The team’s expectation: to become the first back-to-back state title winners in the school’s rich baseball legacy.
2. Bloomingdale
Junior RHP Javy Navas-Hoyer
Head Coach: Kris Wilken (18th season)
Last year: 19-11 – Class 6A State Semifinalist
Season Opener: Tues, vs Jefferson, 7p
Breakdown: Bloomingdale shook off a district final loss, with a revenge mercy-rule against district foe Palmetto kicking off a run to the state semifinals that included wins over East Lake and Sickles. The Bulls offense graduated some key offensive production, but have a strong starting battery of All-813Preps first teamers righty Hayden Porter and backstop Vinny Dinzeo Jr. Combining with Dinzeo (31 RBI), both on offense and up-the-middle on defense, are key returners shortstop Isaiah Perez (12 runs/two homers) and second baseman Alvin Cruz (11 runs/10 RBI), just two of a talented junior class the Bulls will rely on this season. Junior righties Vaughn Osting (1.96 ERA/25ip/29 K’s) and Javy Navas-Hoyer (3.41 ERA/24.2ip/20 K’s) both made double-digit pitching appearances a season ago; junior Luke Long and sophomore Braxton Wilken could also factor in on the mound. Aside from Riverview and Durant, Bloomingdale’s other district “rivals” are due east in Lakeland, Lake Gibson, Winter Garden Horizon and Bartow. Bloomingdale has been an “work-hard-and-earn-it” program for a long time under coach Kris Wilken. We don’t expect that to change this year.
3. Strawberry Crest
Junior C Toby Highsmith
Head Coach: Eric Beattie (16th season)
Last year: 16-9
Season Opener: Tues, at (13) Sumner, 7p
Breakdown: Strawberry Crest steps up to 7A this season and is a program that produced well in back-to-back 16- & 17-win seasons but missing the playoffs each time. These Chargers are looking to change that, and have an offense poised to do it. Junior outfielders Dillon Knight (a preseason watchlist player) and speedy Reuben Vasquez both had 25+ hits last season, and both are dangerous on the bases as well. Senior Brisen Tweedy was 2-2 with a 2.62 era last season and coach Eric Beattie said the right-hander has pushed himself since last season, now featuring a mid-90s capable fastball, but has grown in his preparation and mindset. Toby Highsmith was a .367 hitter and a strong defensive catcher as well; Chase Conti is a solid two-way player (23 hits/14 runs & 6-0/1.36 ERA last year); Matt Hall has power and 20 RBI capabilities; and Beattie said Conti, Saxon Shah and Tripp House all had strong preseasons and should be in the mix for innings on the mound. Finding a way to turn the close games (five losses last year by less than two runs) into wins this year will make all the difference for this team.
4. Sickles
Senior 1B JJ Nazar
Head Coach: Eric Luksis (Ninth season)
Last year: 22-8 – Region Finalist
Season Opener: Tues, at King, 7p
Breakdown: Sickles came very close to battling its way to a third-straight final four last year only to be stopped in the region final in a one-run loss to Bloomingdale. The Gryphons are focused on making it back to Fort Myers for the third time in four seasons. An offense led by All-813Preps first teamers Jordan Yost and JJ Nazar – both 35+ hits last season, along with junior catcher Emilio Salgado (16 RBI in 2024) are a strong start. Brandon Gonzales’ role as the No. 1 to start the year (12-1 in his first two seasons on the mound) and a key part of the offense (hitting .339/14 RBI) will be crucial to success as well. Coach Eric Luksis said juniors Jacob Taylor and Connor Bly will factor in to the rotation. Sickles will also welcome state power Stoneman Douglas for a visit, and the Gryphons have two late games with Gaither – a regular region tournament opponent in recent seasons. Yost, Gonzales and Salgado were part of the 2022 title team – they need to infect everyone else with the NEED to win, and Sickles will be just fine.
5. Berkeley Prep
Junior OF/P Josh Herrmann
Head Coach: Richie Warren (19th season, 10th at Berkeley Prep)
Last year: 16-12 – Region Finalist
Season Opener: Thurs, vs (6) Tampa Catholic, 6:30
Breakdown: The Buccaneers were young at the start of last season and started the season a dreadful 1-9. We can’t think of too many teams that turned it around in such an impressive fashion, as Berkeley Prep marched all the way to the region final going 15-3 the rest of the way. Senior lefty Rivers Kurland was incredible in his second-straight All-813Preps honored season, going 9-1, with a county-leading 118 K’s and a 1.49 ERA, and he’s more than capable at the plate. Ben O’Brien, Parker Mitzel and Jett Walters each return after 20-plus innings last year to bolster the rotation. Key offensive returners OF’s Josh Herrmann (23 runs) and Joe Troupe (13 runs), along with SS Lucas Farrar (11 RBI) will pair with Kurland. The Berkeley Prep team that ended last season, behind a marquee ace, has a shot to be really special.
6. Tampa Catholic
Senior OF/RHP Lucas Cinnante
Head Coach: Paul Russo Jr. (Fourth season)
Last year: 19-9 – Region Semifinalist
Season Opener: Tues, vs (9) Carrollwood Day, 6p
Breakdown: The Crusaders get right to business testing out our rankings by facing district opponents and two of our projected Top-10 teams Carrollwood Day and Berkeley Prep in the first two games. Fourth-year coach Paul Russo Jr. has returned TC to a Hillsborough powerhouse finishing the last two seasons with 22 & 19 wins behind a very impressive pitching staff. This year two-way standout Dominic Woodward (39ip, 48 K’s; 15 RBI, 14 runs) and Lucas Cinnante front the rotation, with Lennard transfer RHP Talan Miranda entering the mix along with a bigger role for Jake Owen. Offensively, the Crusaders return 3B Carson Arnold, (.342, with 20 runs & 14 RBI last year); OF Jose Carrero (.327/11 runs/11 RBI); C Cole Bitman (.314); and SS Cal Johnson who went .320 with 14 runs scored a season ago. This is a historic Tampa program and Russo has instilled that back into the Crusaders in fast order. The goal of a 10th state title has been 24 years in the making, we’re excited to see if this is the team to do it.
7. Gaither
Senior 3B David Pina
Head Coach: Nelson North (11th season)
Last year: 19-7 – Region Semifinalist
Season Opener: Tues, vs (12) Durant, 7p
Breakdown: The Cowboys have won 41 games in the previous two seasons, winning back-to-back district titles and despite a new grouping this season, has eyes on a deep playoff run. Senior and returning All-813Preps first team OF Jackson Mirza (.438/30 runs/15 stolen bases/three homers) will set the pace for the offense, while 3B David Pina (.267/16 runs/15 RBI), OF SJ Branham (.306/21 runs/17 RBI) and C Ryder Warriner (12 RBI) make for a fearsome lineup for the Cowboys. A heavily loaded schedule, featuring a visit from Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, a game at Jesuit, a home-and-way series with Sickles, and a new district battle with Plant, will test Gaither along the way to the postseason. Bishop McLaughlin transfer Matt Altman (48 K’s in 36ip last year) is slated to lead the rotation, joining returners Noah Lockler (3-1/2.50 ERA) and Anthony Linares (1.47 ERA/three saves). Gaither has been right on the edge of greatness the last few seasons, is this the year they return to Fort Myers – nine season removed from North leading the program to its only state title (2016)?
8. Plant
Senior RHP Bo Allen
Head Coach: Dennis Braun (21st season)
Last year: 19-8 – Region Quarterfinalist
Season Opener: Tues, vs (11) Newsome, 7p
Breakdown: After claiming a district title, the Panthers fell to Newsome in the region first round, missing out on a third consecutive trip to Fort Myers. This season Plant moves down to Class 6A, but Braun’s expectations don’t change. Four-year standout OF Cash Strayer (.356/21 runs/seven doubles) will lead the offense, with key returners SS Urban Ellis (.290/11 runs), 1B Danny Cerelli (11 RBI/five doubles) and OF Jackson Cucchi (12 runs/three homers) giving the Panthers another strong offense. Bo Allen tossed nearly 30 innings last year, and will lead the pitching staff after posting a 3.41 ERA and 24 K’s last year. He will be joined by varsity newcomer Nick Townley and returner Rhett Dixon (13 K’s in 10ip). We expect a slight edge to the Plant offense over pitching this year, but the Panthers always seem to have a surprise x-factor step up on the mound and puss them deep into the postseason.
9. Carrollwood Day
Senior RHP/IF Logan Mazur
Head Coach: Tony Brewington (Fourth season)
Last year: 25-6 – Region Finalist
Season Opener: Tues, at (6) Tampa Catholic, 6p
Breakdown: Brewington has so much returning talent from last year’s program best 25-win CDS team, you can’t help but be excited to see if the Patriots are ready to make all that work bear fruit. An offense led by OF Christian Clarke (All-813Preps 1st/.372/24 RBI), OF Julian Earle (.371/20 runs/13 RBI, and 2B Logan Mazur (15 RBI) should churn out runs. All-813Preps honoree Nick Riedel (.319/17 RBI/eight doubles & 7-2/1.70 ERA/70 K’s) is an absolute difference-maker at the plate and on the mound; joined by returners Gabe Troya (5-0/1.33 ERA) and Evan Mazur (3-0/2.30 ERA) to round out a solid pitching stable. A season opener at new district foe Tampa Catholic and mixing in Berkeley Prep should make for an exciting end of the year, while the Patriots will also test their mettle in the Saladino Gold division after last year’s bronze division crown. Last year’s team snuck by the 2018 Patriots setting a new win mark by one, can the 2025 squad surpass that team in the most important mark by reaching or winning the state final?
10. Alonso
Junior OF Raymond Llanes
Head Coach: Landy Faedo (27th season, 23rd at Alonso)
Last year: 13-13
Season Opener: Tues, at Armwood, 7p
Breakdown: We’re banking on a solid offensive unit pushing the Ravens well beyond the .500 mark this season, with OF Raymond Llanes (.361/17 runs), C Sammy Fernandez (.299/18 RBI), SS Daniel Despaine (.333/15 runs/11 RBI) and OF Alvin Santiago (17 hits) putting up enough runs early for the pitching staff to come into its own. Junior Julian Batista (13 K’s in nine innings last year) looks to be the front-runner for starts this season along with Bryan Alonso (12 K’s in 12ip), while Christopher Padilla and Marcelo Diaz factoring in as relief. Aside from an 18-win season in 2023 and a district title, the Ravens have played at or around even across the last few years. Can these Ravens show a bunch of “unkindness” across the 8-1-3 this season and punch its ticket to the postseason?
On the bubble
11. Newsome
Head Coach: Dick Rohrberg (30th season, 11th at Newsome)
Last year: 21-7 – Region Semifinalist
Season Opener: Tues, at (8) Plant
Brief Breakdown: We absolutely expect the Wolves to find a way into the Top 10 this season, but preseason we have some questions to be answered on Newsome’s pitching staff. JP Glassford was excellent last season going 5-1 with a 2.94 ERA and 44 K’s but has big shoes to step into replacing Wade Walton (High Point) as the No. 1. SS B (.321/18 runs/eight doubles) and 2B Ocean Cozart (.284/12 runs/14 RBI), and OF Lincoln Jordy will be players to watch on offense.
12. Durant
Head Coach: Butch Valdes (17th season)
Last year: 21-5 – Region Quarterfinalist
Season Opener: Tues, at (7) Gaither, 7p
Brief Breakdown: Valdes has a challenge replacing 141 senior innings from two All-813Preps first teamers and a second team selection, and he hopes that the future for sophomore Tristan Macpherson is bright. He’ll contend with senior Jack Brooks who returns 10 innings on the hill from last year; but we need to see more of both before we bump the Cougars into the Top 10. Key returner and senior C Brantley Hayward (.279/16 RBI), along with MIF Aiden Juntilla (.278/16 RBI at Brandon HS last year) and OF Dylan Karnowski will key the offense.
13. Sumner
Head Coach: Kennedy Duran (16th season, Fifth at Sumner)
Last year: 15-7
Season Opener: Tues, vs (3) Strawberry Crest, 7p
Brief Breakdown: Heading into its fifth season, Sumner looks to build on last year’s 15-win season and we hope this is the first of many rankings entries for the Stingrays this season. Seniors 3B Sebastian Peralta (.394/23 runs/14 RBI) and OF Luke Parsons (.313/22 runs), and junior Ole Miss commit Winston Pennant (.318/13 runs/18 RBI/seven doubles) will lead the offense, with Pennant also serving as the closer. On the mound, RHP Ethan DeJesus (3-3/3.58 ERA/29 K’s) projects as the No. 1, with Parsons and Izzy Welch also in the rotation.
14. East Bay
Head Coach: Rowland Ruiz (Fourth season, Third at East Bay)
Last year: 14-8
Season Opener: Tues, vs Leto, 7p
Brief Breakdown: We are looking for the Indians to continue to improve and best last year’s 14-win mark. Senior OF Rory Beauford Jr (.311/16 runs/25 RBI) will be a big factor in that push, joined by Rowland Ruiz Jr joining his father’s team from Lennard last year (12 runs/16 RBI) to spark the lineup. Senior Mike Mowell will return at the top of the rotation after striking out 71 in 40 innings last year, with sophomore Connor Gavigan moving into a more prominent role as well.
15. Plant City
Head Coach: Mark Persails (Ninth season, third season/second tenure at Plant City)
Last year: 8-16
Season Opener: Tues, at Freedom, 7p
Brief Breakdown: Persails returns for a second stint to coach the Raiders after spending the last seven years at Shorecrest Prep, and The City looks to shake off a tough year in 2024. Junior righty Jake Carbaugh was a strikeout machine (62 in 38ip) and has taken another big leap forward in the offseason, creating a lot of buzz. The addition of 2B Eli Thomas from dominating at Shorecrest since his eighth-grade year will be another key for PC to be successful. Junior C Paul Overstreet and freshman SS/3B Alex Rodriguez need to have an impact on offense as well.
