Doral’s UM signees shine against Calvary; Westminster’s Stewart learns from MLB stars
Gabriel Gutierrez might as well be called the Home Run King of Doral.
Since Gutierrez, a University of Miami signee, started playing for Doral Academy in the seventh grade, he’s hit more than 40 home runs — including 26 combined since his freshman season.
But he’s trying to show scouts he’s more than just a power bat.
Gutierrez did that this past Saturday when, on a full sprint, he dove and made a great catch in left-center field while fully-extended to prevent a key run from scoring in the Firebirds’ 5-4 win over nationally-ranked Calvary Christian in Fort Lauderdale.
“I didn’t hit well today so I had to come up big in a different way for my teammates,” Gutierrez said.
With two weeks remaining in the season, Miami-Dade and Broward county’s elite teams are using these tests to prepare for potential state title pushes.
And in the meantime, players like Gutierrez are showing why they are among the best in South Florida’s replete pool of major Division-I and potential pro talent.
“I think tracking balls, and getting better reads off the bat is something I’ve definitely improved on this year,” said Gutierrez, Doral’s center fielder who entered Saturday’s game hitting .367/.525/ .750 with six home runs and 24 RBI this season. “Facing a lot of Division I arms has helped me read pitches better and just keep my approach where I just want to try to put the ball in play.”
Gutierrez, who grew up playing with several current players on Miami’s roster including former Doral teammate Dominic Pitelli, has consistently been able to drive the ball to all fields during his prep career and the power has continued to develop.
“That kid is on another level,” Doral coach Ralph Suarez said. “He’s hit guys throwing 94-95 mph. He’s very mature and his makeup is off the charts. He may not be the most super athletic kid but he makes the plays you need him to make.”
Fellow UM signee, Renzo Gonzalez, struggled early giving up four runs against Calvary. But he regained his composure and, along with righthanded reliever Jake Gorelick, shut down the Eagles to allow Doral to erase a 4-3 deficit in the final three innings.
Doral held its own, scoring four runs against Calvary Christian senior right-hander Irving Carter, who is ranked the
12th overall high school prospect in this year’s class by Baseball America.
Carter, also a UM signee, is projected as a possible early-round pick potentially even on day one of this summer’s draft thanks to his 6-4, 210-pound frame and a fastball that touched 94 mph in Saturday’s game.
“I thought he battled well,” Calvary Christian coach Gil Morales said. “We knew we were in a dogfight today and their [hitters] had really good approaches. We’re two weeks from districts and every game matters.”
TRAINING WITH GREATS
Westminster Christian junior third baseman Sal Stewart’s offseason wasn’t totally ruined by the pandemic.
Not when you consider Stewart spent most of his time training with Manny Machado and Yonder Alonso in Miami.
“It was great to have them as mentors,” Stewart said. “With [Machado], we didn’t even talk about baseball, just about how to act on and off the field, about nutrition, those kinds of things. People see him as this big icon, but he’s really down to earth and a good person.”
An early signee with defending national champion Vanderbilt, Stewart is one of the top prospects in the Class of 2022 and ranked No. 13th overall among that group by Baseball America.
Stewart reached base twice on a walk and hit by pitch in Westminster’s 11-8 win over Plantation American Heritage this past Friday, which snapped the Patriots’ 10-game winning streak.
But he made a solid pick on sharply-hit liner down the line and showed off his arm with a strong throw to first.
Stewart is hitting .571 with a team-best 10 home runs this season for the Warriors, who appear to once again be state title contenders in Class 3A with him at the forefront of another potent lineup.
Vanderbilt’s pitching commands the most attention with potential top two picks in this year’s draft — Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker.
But Stewart’s 6-3, 205pound frame, strong arm and sharp defensive skills at the hot corner could make him a strong addition to the Commodores if he chose to go the college route.
Stewart said he benefited from working with Alonso in terms of refining his approach at the plate in order to consistently drive the ball and make contact.
“I got off to a good start this season, but he taught me a lot about just taking my pitch and taking my walks and just looking for my best pitch,” Stewart said.