Deep talent means many prospects to watch
Miami-Dade County was shut out of the state championship picture in baseball last season, for the second time in the past three seasons.
But that doesn’t mean the plethora of talent coming from the 305 has diminished one bit.
The new season, which officially began Monday, features some of the top prospects in the country who will be on the radar of college recruiters and pro scouts for the next three years.
Let’s take a look at some of those top stars to watch:
Shortstop Jacob Lombard, Gulliver Prep, Class of 2026: His tall frame (6-1 and 170 pounds) as a sophomore stands out, as does his combination of power and quick hands at the plate and speed on the bases. His defensive skills are already strong and continuing to develop.
Lombard is ranked the No. 7 high school prospect in the country by Perfect Game and could be an even higher draft pick than his brother George, who was selected last summer by the New York Yankees with the 26th overall pick.
Lombard is playing with Gulliver’s soccer team this week as that squad aims to win a second consecutive state title, and he plans to start his baseball season immediately after.
RHP Lazaro Collera, Westminster Christian, Class of 2024: One rival coach told the Miami Herald that Collera could be the best pitching prospect to come out of Miami-Dade in the past decade. At 6-6, 230 pounds, Collera is an imposing presence on the mound, especially when he’s pounding the strike zone with mid-high 90s stuff downhill toward the plate. Collera, ranked the No. 35 overall high school prospect by Baseball America and a University of Miami commit, transferred over from Florida Christian this offseason. He has touched 98 on the fastball, but it’s the development of his curveball and changeup that could turn him into a bonafide top-of-the-rotation starter at the next level.
OF/LHP Michael Torres, Doral Academy, Class of 2024: Baseball America recently said Torres (5-11, 170 pounds) could be one of the biggest potential sleepers in this year’s draft. A twoway player who could be the top lefty pitcher in South Florida and one of the better outfielders, Torres played for the
2022 Under-18 USA team, to watchwhich won the gold medal in Mexico. Torres, a UM commit, can consistently keep his fastball in the low 90s and mix in both a curveball and changeup. Last season, Torres pitched mostly as a reliever for the Firebirds but figures to move into more of a starting role this year. Scouts think Torres projects more as a position player thanks to his consistent approach and consistent hitting to all fields.
OF Fabio Peralta, Miami Christian, Class of 2024: Peralta (6-2, 170 pounds) brings a combination of versatility, athletic ability and strength, making him one of the most complete players in the state. Another UM commit, Peralta is regarded as a plus defender who can play in the corners or in center thanks to his quickness and ability to consistently track down balls with good reads off the bat. Scouting services such as Baseball America, which ranks him No. 42 overall among 2024 high school prospects, are waiting to see whether Peralta can produce more power with his swing going into his senior season.
3B Ethan Puig, Westminster Christian, Class of 2024: Puig (6-0, 185 pounds) is regarded as one of the better pure hitters in this year’s class. Also a UM commit, his offensive skills make him one of the most consistent and dangerous sources of offense in the state. Baseball America ranks Puig its No. 50 overall prospect and says about him: “He has good rhythm, balance and sequence, helping him track the ball well with the barrel accuracy that makes him one of the most difficult hitters in the class to induce swingand-miss against.”
SS/3B Manny Marin, Westminster Christian, Class of 2024: Marin
(6-1, 175 pounds) has shown the defensive skills to handle either shortstop or third base. A transfer from the Elite Baseball Squad Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Marin was the starting shortstop for the USA Under-18 national team last year. He’s not a huge power hitter, but he can consistently get on base with a smooth swing that produces hard contact to all fields. Marin, a Tennessee commit, completes one of the most talented infields in the country for the Warriors.
MORE TEAM OUTLOOKS
CLASS 7A
Columbus (25-4, 7A regional finalist) will field one of its youngest teams in recent memory but figures to remain among the top teams in the state. Junior third baseman Zahir Barjan is an explosive hitter and should provide power along with junior outfielder Franklin Francisco. Juniors Matt Rios and Jason Vazquez lead the Explorers on the mound. Sophomore middle infielder Max Alvarez is the nephew of former Major Leaguer and Olympic speedskater Eddy Alvarez. Coach Joe Weber enters the season needing nine more wins to reach 600 for his career.
Braddock (14-11) missed the regional playoffs last season but returns a loaded squad capable of making a deep playoff run. Most of the Braddock roster has played together for two seasons and will have one of the top pitching rotations in Dade. A pair of FIU commits who can touch 90 mph lead the way in seniors Ryan Labarca and Daniel Bravo. Juniors Miguel Diaz and Devin Lopez round out Braddock’s top four arms.
Senior catcher Alex Rodriguez-Gallo will work with the group from behind the plate. Junior third baseman Mario Magana is a Miami commit and draft prospect, junior shortstop Manny Sanchez is an NSU commit, and senior center fielder Ryan Valdes is a Lee University signee.
South Dade (14-7-3, 7A regional quarterfinalist) will be directed from the dugout by Rich Benavides, who takes over for legendary coach Fred Burnside after he retired at the end of last season. Benavides thinks the team might have the ingredients to contend for a trip to state. The Bucs return starters at all nine spots, led by senior second baseman and leadoff hitter Corey Rodriguez. Senior outfielder Joniel O’Farrill, senior shortstop Michael Malagon and senior third baseman
Mike Martinez all hit .333 or better last season.
Hialeah Gardens (14-8) hopes to contend for a playoff spot led by senior infielder/pitcher transfer Nicholas Rodriguez, who the Gladiators believe will help solidify both areas of the team. Juniors Andrew Gonzalez and Nicholas Ceballos will lead from second and first base, respectively.
Palmetto (10-11) has a new coach in former Southridge coach Wayne Hendricks, who takes over for longtime coach Danny Smith. Hendricks will try to make the Panthers a playoff team again with a squad led by 17 returning seniors. Third baseman Michael Arnold and center fielder Sebastian Font lead the group along with two-way player Troy Korvick, who has touched 91 mph on his fastball.
CLASS 6A
Doral Academy (24-7, 6A state semifinalist) is stacked once again for another run at a state title with seven Division I commits and three more players committed to junior colleges. Talent like Torres and senior outfielder/lefty pitcher Sebastian Barrios, an FIU commit, lead the way. Senior Antonio Socarras is a two-way player who throws in the low-mid 90s and a Pitt commit. Junior third baseman Gabriel Milano is another University of Miami commit. Coach Ralph Suarez is 11 victories away from reaching 600 career wins.
Sunset (17-9, 4A state semifinalist) went from cellar dweller to state championship contender in two seasons. The Knights hope to stay there this season and will rely on a balanced group of veterans and talented underclassmen. Leading the group is senior shortstop Angel Santiago, a Marshall signee who hit .507 with seven home runs a year ago. Sophomore infielder/center fielder Nicolas Roca started as a freshman at third base last year and has multiple Division I offers.
Varela (15-7-1, 6A regional semifinalist) is coming off a breakout season under veteran coach Lazer Collazo. The Vipers won’t sneak up on anyone this year but are well prepared to make another deep playoff push. Senior pitcher Edgar Colon returns at the top of Varela’s rotation and is one of the best arms in the county. Senior Hector Gonzalez and junior Luis Sosa should add depth on the mound. The Vipers will try to generate plenty of run support with a lineup anchored by senior shortstop Amaury DeJesus, senior center fielder
Jordan Alzate and junior third baseman JC Hernandez.
Southwest (16-10, 6A regional quarterfinalist) returns several starters from a solid young core that propelled the Eagles to the playoffs last season. Senior Joel Cabrera and junior Albert Bell — both outfielders — lead the group and should provide plenty of clutch hitting once again. On the mound, the Eagles will be led by senior righty Nestor Quintana.
Miami Beach (13-8) returns a talented senior outfield tandem in Jacob Gaynor and Brody Minick. Junior Adrian Corniel is another player to watch.
CLASS 5A
Belen Jesuit (16-9, 5A regional quarterfinalist) returns a talented group led by senior shortstop Brandon Degoti and senior catcher Ernie Echevarria. Senior outfielder Jordan Cordero and junior first baseman Gabriel Vich each hit over .400 last season.
CLASS 4A
St. Brendan (11-9, 4A regional semifinalist) hopes to make another playoff run led by senior second baseman Luis Suarez. Senior shortstop/pitcher J.C. Garcia Chicano is getting attention from both college and pro scouts.
Killian (9-12) hopes to see a return to its former winning ways this season under first-year coach Chris Leon, who led Coral Reef to the state final in 2019. Junior catcher/infielder Kendry Blanco, a first team All-Dade selection, leads the Cougars along with sophomore Johnny Chen See, senior third baseman Alessandro Morejon and junior shortstop Jonathan Acosta.
Hialeah Miami Lakes (5-8) will be led by sophomore catcher/pitcher Lawrence Lorenzo.
CLASS 3A
Westminster Christian (16-8-1, 3A regional semifinalist) is tied with Key West for the most state titles in state history with 11. But it’s been nearly a decade since the Warriors have hoisted a state championship trophy. Westminster will field one of its most talented teams in recent memory thanks to the arrival of Collera, Marin and Puig. They will be joined by sophomore pitcher Aaron Hernandez, who was the Warriors’ ace last season. Seniors Jose Lopez and Talan Beckford round out the infield, while junior Austin Weigandt leads the Warriors’ outfield.
Gulliver (19-11, 3A state semifinalist) is coming off a heartbreaking loss at state to North Broward Prep and faces a challenge to make a run back to Fort Myers. Lombard is the key cog, but he’s not alone. Senior outfielder Jason Marcos, junior middle infielder Justin Parson, sophomore catcher Darwin Vargas and senior outfielder Michael Escobar lead a young group.
Monsignor Pace (15-9, 3A regional semifinalist) heads into the veteran Tom Duffin’s final season as coach with a chance to make it memorable. Duffin’s son, Sean, is the team’s top bat, an Indian River State College signee, and a senior shortstop. Senior center fielder Jacob Poletto, an FAU commit, is another big bat in the Spartans’ lineup, as is senior outfielder Dyson Joseph, a Barry University commit. Senior lefty Dylan Llanes, an Indian River State College signee, leads the pitching group.
Palmer Trinity (17-9, 3A regional quarterfinalist) graduated only two seniors and one starter after its best season in six years. Senior righthander Jake Pearcy will try to keep the momentum going as he and Columbus transfer Raul Rincon, a junior, top the Falcons’ rotation.
Florida Christian (11-17, 3A regional quarterfinalist) will be led by four seniors — infielder Frank Avila, catcher Maurice Maiquez, outfielder Kylian Izaguirre and infielder Justin Brigman. They will try to provide experience for a young roster.
Ransom Everglades (7-10) returns seniors who it hopes will lead it to a winning season. Pitcher/corner infielder Collin Goff leads that group on the mound and sophomore Juan Carlos Velazco leads the Raiders’ lineup.
CLASS 2A
True North (17-10, 2A regional semifinalist) made noise last season with some wins over top programs and might have an opening in a competitive 2A bracket to make a run to state. The Titans return eight starters led by junior shortstop Misa Uriepero, senior center fielder Robert Alvarez and junior catcher Angel Garcia. Sophomore third baseman Matias Fischer, a Miami commit, is one of the top underclassmen in the state. Junior Alan Soler, a UCF commit, leads the team on the mound along with junior Samuel Alonso, an FIU commit.