Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Sports

TBO > Sports

2009 Prep Baseball Preview

Tribune file photo by JASON BEHNKEN

James Ramsay and Brandon begin the season ranked atop the Tribune's county baseball poll.

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2009

Updated: 02/16/2009 12:48 am

TOP 10 HILLSBOROUGH TEAMS

1. BRANDON - Coach Matt Stallbaumer welcomes back the bulk of last season's Class 5A state semifinal team, including outfielder James Ramsay, infielder Roderick Shoulders, catcher Michael Smith and pitchers Chase Sparkman and Corey Schools.

2. JESUIT - The Tigers lost their top two pitchers in 2008 to graduation, but Richie Warren's squad returns seven starters and plenty of big bats with the likes of Division I signees outfielder Jimmy Falla, catcher Joe Hudson and infielders Greg Dupell and Nick Lockwood.

3. SICKLES - The last time Bob Pagano's squad reached the playoffs was in 2005, but this group has postseason potential. Infielders Josh Dunn and Chris Velez return, and the addition of Chamberlain transfer Sean Prieto gives the team a solid 1-2 starting pitching combination with senior Gregg Cooke.

4. ALONSO - Landy Faedo's squad again should be a contender with six returning starters, among them infielder Tito Martinez, catcher Adam Pendleton, infielder/pitcher Tyler Ding and outfielder/pitcher Ray Delphey.

5. PLANT - Most of the big bats that powered Dennis Braun's squad the past few seasons are gone, but the Panthers certainly aren't short on talent. Preseason All-American pitcher/infielder Mychal Givens headlines a group of solid returners that also includes infielder Graham Ramos, outfielder Conner Mitchell and outfielder/pitcher Jake Lowe.

6. ARMWOOD - With No. 1 pitcher Robert Benincasa back along with six other starters, among them outfielder Joe Cartwright, Mike Wrenn's Hawks should challenge for the program's first playoff berth since 2005.

7. GAITHER - Frank Permuy's squad returns five starters, among them outfielder Drew Doty and first baseman Brady North, but the Cowboys have an untested pitching staff that will need to come around quickly.

8. BLOOMINGDALE - Kris Wilken's club struggled to score runs in 2008, but if the Bulls can manage some offensive production in 2009 it should go a long way with pitchers Zach Payne and R.J. Brown again toeing the rubber.

9. HILLSBOROUGH - The Terriers should have no trouble offensively with outfielders Jay Laurienzo and David Richardson, infielders Dylan Esche and Tyler Luper and catcher Marlon Mitchell back in the lineup, and if Kenny White's squad can get some decent pitching they could be dangerous.

10. TAMPA CATHOLIC - With a senior-heavy roster and seven starters back, among them catcher Shane Rowland and infielder Brandon Mendoza, Rich Arena's Crusaders could be in for a big season.

10 GAMES TO WATCH

•Friday: Tampa Catholic at Jesuit - The first of two meetings between the two heated private school rivals.

•Feb. 24: Alonso at Sickles - Big early-season matchup between Class 6A-District 7 foes.

•March 17: Bloomingdale at Brandon - Crosstown rivals and Class 5A-District 8 foes always are very competitive.

•March 20: Hillsborough at Plant - No love lost between these two Class 5A-District 10 foes.

•March 27: Sickles at Gaither - Needing nine wins to reach 500 in his high school coaching career, Gaither's Frank Permuy could be going for milestone in this one.

•April 1: Alonso at Brandon - Two county contenders meet in big midseason non-district matchup.

•April 3: Jesuit at Plant - A No. 1 seed for district tournament could be on the line in the second of two meetings between these Class 5A-District 10 foes.

•April 10: Saladino Tournament Championship at Brandon - Which two teams will be there is the question, but the final of the weeklong tournament is always one of the best games of the season.

•April 21: Berkeley Prep at Tampa Prep - The second of two meetings between these private school rivals.

•April 24: Newsome at Riverview - Good non-district matchup on final day of regular season.

FEATURED PLAYER

JAMES RAMSAY

BRANDON, JUNIOR

ABOUT RAMSAY: The Eagles outfielder proved in 2008 that's he one of the county's top players while leading Brandon to the Class 5A state semifinals. Not only is Ramsay a force at the plate (he hit .496 with nine doubles, three homers, 30 RBIs and 35 runs scored last season), but he also has a great glove and tremendous range in center field.

FIVE OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH

(in alphabetical order)

Jimmy Falla, Jesuit, Sr. - The Tigers outfielder had a monster offensive year in 2008, hitting .393 with a team-best 31 RBIs.

Jay Laurienzo, Hillsborough, Sr. - The Terriers outfielder has hit a combined .415 with seven home runs during the past two seasons.

Rolando Peraza, Leto, Sr. - The infielder is the leading returning hitter (.556 with a team-best nine doubles in 2008) on a Falcons squad that should be much-improved this season.

Trent Tagliarini, Cambridge Christian, Sr. - The Lancers' shortstop is coming off a monster year in which he hit .506 with seven doubles, five triples, four homers and 26 RBIs.

Chad Taylor, Jefferson, Sr. - The Dragons' shortstop is coming off a season in which he hit .350 and led the team with seven doubles.

FEATURED PITCHER

MYCHAL GIVENS

PLANT, SENIOR

ABOUT GIVENS: Givens was nothing short of sensational on the mound in 2008, going 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA for the Panthers. A Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American who also is considered one of the nation's top high school prospects for the 2009 MLB draft, the right-handed Givens features a fastball that sits in the low 90s.

FIVE OTHER PITCHERS TO WATCH

(in alphabetical order)

Robert Benincasa, Armwood, Sr. - The Hawks' ace has flown a bit under the radar, but he's coming off a season in which he went 4-1 with a 2.46 ERA.

Gregg Cooke, Sickles, Sr. - The Gryphons' right-hander put together plenty of big games in 2008, including a pair of no-hitters, while finishing with a 2.91 ERA.

Ray Delphey, Alonso, Sr. - The Ravens' right-hander has gone a combined 8-3 with a 2.22 ERA over the last two seasons.

Zach Payne, Bloomingdale, Sr. - The Bulls' workhorse has nine wins over the past two seasons and 128 strikeouts in 87 innings pitched over that stretch.

Chase Sparkman, Brandon, So. - The young lefty had a breakout first varsity season in 2008, going 7-0 with a 2.48 ERA, and the Eagles are hoping for the same magic this season.

DISTRICT OUTLOOK

Class 6A-District 7

This should end up being a very competitive district. Alonso and Sickles both return some key players and definitely have the talent to reach the playoffs, but you can never count out Frank Permuy's Gaither squad, which always seems to find a way to win at the right time and has made the postseason four consecutive years.

TRIBUNE PICK: Sickles

RUNNER-UP: Alonso

Class 6A-District 8

Considering Sarasota is a state powerhouse that hasn't missed the playoffs since 1992, and Lakeland, which reached the state semifinals last season, should be strong again this season, Riverview, Durant, Plant City and East Bay certainly will have their hands full this season.

TRIBUNE PICK: Sarasota

RUNNER-UP: Lakeland

Class 5A-District 8

Brandon returns a heap of talent from last year's state semifinal squad, making the Eagles the on-paper favorite to repeat as district champs. But the Eagles will have to battle all season long for that to happen in a district that is always tough from top to bottom. Bloomingdale and Armwood both played very well during the preseason, and Newsome, a playoff team each of the last two seasons, probably will be in the mix if it can account for losing its top two pitchers to graduation from a year ago.

TRIBUNE PICK: Brandon

RUNNER-UP: Armwood

Class 5A-District 10

This is arguably the area's most intriguing district again this year, with several teams possessing the talent to stand on top at the end. Jesuit and Plant both look very strong, but each has to deal with replacing some big talent lost to graduation. Hillsborough, which has most of its 2008 team back, seems ready to break through. Pop Cuesta's Jefferson squad is always tough, as is Vernon Slater's team at Middleton. And J.J. Pizzio's Leto squad, which has a few key transfers joining six returning starters, could be this year's surprise team.

TRIBUNE PICK: Jesuit

RUNNER-UP: Plant

Class 4A-District 9

Spoto, the lone Hillsborough County representative in this district, returns its top pitcher from 2008 in George Schmitt and one of its top hitters in catcher Arley Benton to help the Spartans push for the program's first state playoff berth.

TRIBUNE PICK: Bartow

RUNNER-UP: Lake Wales

Class 3A-District 11

Clearwater Central Catholic has owned this district, but much of the talent that helped the Marauders win three consecutive district crowns and a state title in 2007 is gone. That could open the door for Rich Arena's Tampa Catholic squad, which has 11 seniors back, to earn the program's first district title since 2001.

TRIBUNE PICK: Tampa Catholic

RUNNER-UP: Clearwater Central Catholic

Class 2A-District 9

A.J. Hendrix's Tampa Prep squad has some key players back, including outfielders Matt George and Corbin Hayes and first baseman/pitcher Chris Fenisey. So the Terrapins, the lone Hillsborough County representative in this four-team district, should be in the mix for their fourth playoff berth in the last six seasons.

TRIBUNE PICK: Tampa Prep

RUNNER-UP: Bishop McLaughlin

Class 1A-District 9

This is a two-team district, so both Seffner Christian and Lakeland Sonrise Christian already are guaranteed a trip to the state playoffs. First-year Seffner Christian coach Johnny Saunders will try to lead the Crusaders to their fourth consecutive district crown.

TRIBUNE PICK: Seffner Christian

RUNNER-UP: Sonrise Christian

Class 1A-District 10

Cambridge Christian, which returns a wealth of talent from last year's Class 1A state runner-up squad, should have little trouble repeating as district champs, leaving Bayshore Christian and Tampa Bay Christian fighting for the runner-up spot.

TRIBUNE PICK: Cambridge Christian

RUNNER-UP: Bayshore Christian

Class 1A-District 11

Canterbury, a playoff team each of the last three seasons, has owned this district, which also includes Academy at the Lakes, Oldsmar Christian and Citrus Park Christian.

TRIBUNE PICK: Canterbury

RUNNER-UP: Citrus Park Christian

Share this:

* To:
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
Personal Message [optional]: