Baseball USF Signs Tons of Florida Talent for 2013-2014 Class

[Brad]

USF Signs Tons of Florida Talent for 2013-2014 Class

By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA - The future of USF baseball looks very bright with head coach Lelo Prado's newest signing class that consists of 10 high school stars from the state of Florida.

Newly signed Bulls include first baseman Luke Borders, brother of current USF freshman third baseman Levi Borders, Jonathan Bennett (C/2B), Brandon Lawson (RHP), Michael Farley (RHP), Andres Leal (IF/C), Michael Mann (C/RHP), Vincent Miniet (IF/OF), Brandon Murray (RHP), Daniel Portales (RHP) and infielder/outfielder Clay Simmons.

Luke Borders is one of the few dual-sport stars in the Bulls' latest signing class. He hit .333 in 100 plate appearances with 23 RBIs, three triples and four homers before the Winter Haven High School quarterback threw for more than 1,000 yards (18 TD, 9 INT).

"We are extremely excited that Luke has decided to follow his brother, Levi, and come play for the Bulls," Prado said. "He can flat out hit and his left-handed power bat will be a great addition for our lineup."

Another quarterback to join the Bulls is Simmons out of South Sumter High School. The infielder/outfielder also carries on a family tradition after his father and uncle played for Prado at the University of Tampa.

"Clay is an unbelievably athletic kid. He's the starting quarterback at South Sumter and he is a great baseball player as well," Prado said. "He came to our summer camp and blew us away with his athleticism, and we're excited to add him to our program."

Bennett, also a two-sport star, has shined behind the plate for Pensacola High School on top of batting .404, .444 and .426 the past three seasons. He verbally committed to USF during his sophomore year.

"Jonathon is an outstanding athlete who will be able to help out at many positions on the field," Prado said. "He was a great high school football player at Pensacola, and his toughness and aggressing mentality from football carries over into his baseball. I love his makeup and the work ethic he brings to our program."

USF will get another dependable player in Mann, who hit .338 with eight doubles and 12 RBIs last season. He caught every game for Seminole High School, did not commit an error and threw out nine of 17 runners trying to advance. Mann played in the East Coast Pro Showcase put on by Major League Baseball.

"Mike Mann is an outstanding catch-and-throw guy behind the plate and he plays for a great program at Seminole High School in Pinellas," Prado said. "Not only will he catch for us, but he has a strong mound presence and could see time on the mound as well."

Another versatile player joining the program is Leal, who can help the Bulls in the infield and behind the plate, and the Tampa Catholic standout gets to play in front of hometown fans.

"Dre can play multiple positions and his versatility will be a great asset to our program. He knows how to play the game the right way," Prado said.

Another player that will stay close to home is Miniet, an infielder/outfielder from Tampa Jesuit High School. Miniet hit .429 as a junior with a .613 on-base percentage on the way to All-Hillsborough County first-team honors. He has a 3.74 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Vincent had a great offensive year at nationally ranked Jesuit High School and we love the way he swings the bat," Prado said. "We think he has a chance to be an outstanding college hitter at USF."

USF got more talent from Jesuit High School by signing Portales, a pitcher who also swings the bat well. Portales hit .267 with seven runs, a double, two RBIs and made one appearance on the mound as a junior.

"He will swing the bat for us some, but we really like how he is developing as a pitcher," Prado said. "We think he could continue to progress here on the mound at USF and help us win ball games as a right-handed pitcher."

A pitcher packed with potential is Lawson, the 2012 Hernando Today Player of the Year out of Hernando High School. The 6-foot-2 righty posted a 3.03 ERA in 37 innings this spring with 57 strikeouts and 14 walks. Lawson shut out Crystal River (six strikeouts) to boost Hernando into the Class 5A, District 7 title game while batting .298 with 11 RBIs, four doubles and a homer.

"Brandon already has accomplished quite a bit at Hernando and with his summer team, FTB Mizuno," Prado said. "He's a very polished pitcher who throws all three pitches for strikes, has a great mound presence and competes. He has a chance to come to USF and contribute right away."

A righty that will stand even taller on the mound for USF will be 6-foot-7 Murray from West Orange High School.

"Brandon comes for a great high school program at West Orange and an elite summer program with the Orlando Scorpions," Prado said. "We feel he has tremendous upside and projectability. He has a bright future and we are excited that future will be here at USF."

The Bulls' pitching staff also will add Farley, 6-foot-3 righty that returned to Newsome High School from Bayport Blue Point High School in Long Island.

"Michael is a 6-3, athletic right-handed pitcher that we feel has a chance to be a great pitcher at USF. He has a strong arm and a plus breaking ball. We really like this kid's stuff," Prado said.

[Brad]

Prado Adds Another Strong Arm to Signing Class

By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA - USF baseball coach Lelo Prado has added some college experience to his impressive incoming class for next season.

Hillsborough Community College pitcher Ryan Etsell has signed with the Bulls and will join 10 high school standouts that recently made their commitments to USF official.

Etsell, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, struck out 36 batters in 72 2/3 innings as a freshman last season and won four games. Etsell played high school baseball at Northeast Catholic in Philadelphia, where he was voted the Philadelphia Catholic High School League's most valuable player.

"We really like Ryan's arm strength and competitiveness on the mound," Prado said. "When he gets on campus, he will have had two seasons pitching at the JUCO level at HCC, and that experience, I think, will allow him to help our team out right away. He's a great addition to our recruiting class."

The Bulls' 2014 signing class also includes first baseman Luke Borders, brother of current USF freshman third baseman Levi Borders, Jonathan Bennett (C/2B), Brandon Lawson (RHP), Michael Farley (RHP), Andres Leal (IF/C), Michael Mann (C/RHP), Vincent Miniet (IF/OF), Brandon Murray (RHP), Daniel Portales (RHP) and infielder/outfielder Clay Simmons.

[Apis Bull]

How many of these have a chance of going pro out of high school?

[Brad]

That's the trick.

Cardieri played that game for years. He'd provide the insurance/bargaining chip for MLB prospects. They'd get drafted and he'd cry about it. Good college coaches know how to recruit and who will sign - just like MLB Scouts. They too, know who will sign. It is no mystery.

I'm hoping Prado is not playing the old game. I hope he signed guys he expects will honor his offer. We'll see.

[SANJAY]

I was going to ask a similar question. I think every year Prado signs a good class but the top 2 or 3 end up in the pros so what we sign is not what we get on campus. I don't know high school baseball well enough to know if that is the case again. Anyone know?

[jg]

It is not an exact science by any means. High School kids are drafted on potential not on how polished they are currently. Double edged sword for college coaches.