Mercado Keeps Conquering New Challenges
Oscar Mercado stepped in as the starting shortstop for Tampa's Gaither High as a freshman and has grow into a potential first-round pick.
Oscar Mercado stepped in as the starting shortstop for Tampa's Gaither High as a freshman and has grow into a potential first-round pick.
Tampa's Jesuit High has become known for producing Division I athletes on the diamond and John Kilichowski is the latest pitcher to find success with the Tigers and their throwing program.
Jordan and Justus Sheffield give us a rare combination of sibling talent.
Oxford (Ala.) High had big expectations coming into 2012. The Yellow Jackets' 2011 season ended in disappointment, but they learned lessons that helped them capture a state title in 2012.
It's safe to say that outfielder David Dahl finished his prep career in emphatic fashion.
Every spring, after a couple of months of winter workouts and conditioning, the same cliche rings throughout baseball: "I'm in the best shape of my life." It's easy to scoff at the comment as a player likely wouldn't offer the opposite, but for Addison Russell, there is a lot of truth to it. A shortstop at Pace (Fla.) High, Russell has dropped almost 30 pounds since last summer and is reaping the benefits.<br/>
Miami may be heartbroken over Lewis Brinson committing to Florida, he's still far from a sure bet to make it to campus. A long-legged, physical specimen, Brinson has excellent athleticism and looks like a big leaguer when he steps on the field. At 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, he looks like Cameron Maybin or Dexter Fowler with a tapered frame and plenty of room to add strength. Given his physique and set of tools, the Gators may end up heartbroken as well if the chance to play pro ball becomes too tempting.
Several underclassmen put themselves on the radar for 2013 and beyond. Here are 10 underclassmen who stood out at the National High School Invitational.
For high school prospects, the summer is an opportunity to face opponents from around the country and get on scouts' radars for the spring leading up to the draft. The time in between is a chance to separate from the pack, and Zach Eflin is doing just that.
Senior outfielder Ty Moore has an obvious passion for baseball and it stood out at the USA Baseball National High School Invitational as he helped Mater Dei High to the championship win.
Team capsules for the 16 teams in the National High School Invitational.
It was supposed to be a rotation to remember. Like having Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee pitching for the same high school. It was supposed to be Harvard-Westlake High's year. After winning its first league title last season, the Studio City, Calif., school had higher expectations for 2012. It just wasn't meant to be.
To anyone posted behind home plate, Mission Viejo (Calif.) High's Kieran Lovegrove looks like a typical high school righthander destined to pitch on a bigger stage.
Archbishop McCarthy cruised to a state and national title in 2011. The Mavericks start 2012 where they left off—at No. 1 in the Baseball America Preseason High School Top 50.
Like many parents, Glenn and Raissa Cecchini have rarely missed an opportunity to watch their sons play high school baseball games. But unlike their peers, the Cecchinis do not take in the action from the bleachers. They can be found in the dugout, as the husband and wife have been coaching high school players—including their sons, Garin and Gavin—since 1987.
Dwight Smith Jr. and Shawon Dunston Jr. are the sons of former major leaguers, but they want to show that their own talent and hard work speaks for itself.
Lefthander Dillon Peters doesn't look like a big-time pitcher, but hitters haven had little success against him this season.
Edison High in Huntington Beach, Calif. has three players who have drawn the attention of major league scouts in advance of the draft—shortstop Christian Lopes, lefthander Henry Owens and outfielder Eric Snyder.
Trevor Story combines good tools with a grinder's intensity.
Utah may not be known for producing baseball talent, but Spanish Fork High is making a name for its program.