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Jose Cadenas

Area baseball players to watch

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The high school baseball season in Florida has kicked off. Some of the top players — and teams — in the state reside right here in our coverage area. From Steinbrenner and Gaither to Land O’ Lakes High, there’s no shortage of prep baseball talent.

Here’s a look at some players to keep an eye on as the season progresses:

Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk is one of the top players in Hillsborough.
(File)

RHP (right-handed pitcher)/INF (infielder) CJ Van Eyk, Sr., Steinbrenner: The 6-foot-2 Florida State commit is looking to build off an eye-opening 2016 campaign (12-1 record, 0.77 ERA, 130 strikeouts), where his performance on the mound buoyed Steinbrenner to the Class 8A state title. His arsenal consists of a low-90s fastball, along with a power curve and changeup. Also an outstanding hitter, Van Eyk batted .340 with five doubles and 13 RBIs in 2016. In October, Van Eyk was one of just 20 players across the country selected to the USA Baseball 18U National Team. Could be a high-round draft pick in the MLB draft in June.

Land O’ Lakes High’s McCabe Sargent is one of the top players in Pasco County.
(File)

RHP/3B (third-baseman) McCabe Sargent, Sr., Land O’Lakes: The Saint Leo University signee will be relied upon heavily this season following the graduation of RHP Kirby Osborn, now pitching for High Point University in North Carolina. Sargent burst onto the scene last year with a 0.47 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. His skills with the bat, too, were impressive (.384 average, 16 RBIs). His well-rounded play earned him team most valuable player and Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) East Pasco Player of the Year honors. In addition to an 89-mph fastball, Sargent throws a slider, changeup and curveball. Models his game after Jacob deGrom, a starting pitcher for the New York Mets.

RHP/INF Darin Kilfoyl, Sr., Academy at the Lakes: At 6-foot-8 and 280 pounds, Kilfoyl is easily the most physically imposing prep player around. And, he has the skillset to back it up. Last year, the St. Johns River College signee had a 0.91 ERA and 97 strikeouts in just 46 innings. He also threw a no-hitter and pitched five complete games, thanks to four functional pitches — fastball, curveball, changeup and cutter. Kilfoyl was no slouch at the plate, either, batting .348 with two home runs and 16 RBIs. Over the summer, Kilfoyl played for the Atlanta Blue Jays, an elite travel club for 15-year-olds to 18-year-olds. He also was a standout player for Academy’s basketball team.

CF (center-fielder) Jose Cadenas, Sr., Gaither: Known for his elite speed (set a school-record 32 stolen bases) and outfield range, Cadenas was also Gaither’s top hitter (.398, six doubles, 11 RBIs) during the team’s 7A state title run in 2016. Cadenas, who committed to Polk State last summer, made a full recovery from a season-ending broken hand injury he suffered during a game in early 2015. Also noteworthy: Cadenas and his family moved to Tampa from Cuba when he was 8.

INF Michael Wu, Sr., Sunlake: The University of South Carolina-Sumter commit was one of the most consistent hitters in the area last season, batting .407 with two home runs, six doubles and 16 RBIs. Moreover, Wu struck out just three times in 66 plate appearances. A versatile fielder, Wu can play first base, second and third. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound standout also can step in on the mound, when needed. He played for Wiregrass Ranch as a freshman and sophomore.

Other players to watch:
RHP Tommy Mace, Sr., Sunlake
OF/RHP Patrick Morris, Sr., Steinbrenner
INF Max Law, Sr., Land O’ Lakes
RHP/OF Colton Bierly, Jr., Wesley Chapel
RHP Khalil Alumatism, Sr., Freedom
INF Drew Ehrhard, Sr., Wharton

Published March 1, 2017

Steinbrenner and Gaither claim state titles

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The varsity baseball teams for Steinbrenner and Gaither high schools each completed impressive seasons, with both teams capturing state titles.

Steinbrenner High School baseball players celebrate the school’s first varsity baseball state title. They defeated Oviedo Hagerty in a 9-4 win in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game. (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High baseball)
Steinbrenner High School baseball players celebrate the school’s first varsity baseball state title. They defeated Oviedo Hagerty in a 9-4 win in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game.
(Courtesy of Steinbrenner High baseball)

Steinbrenner took its first baseball state title with a 9-4 win over Oviedo Hagerty in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game on May 21 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers.

The Warriors (27-5) trailed Hagerty 4-1 in the sixth inning before erupting for an eight-run seventh inning, thanks to timely run production from junior Patrick Morris, and seniors Ryan Russell and Drew Burkhart.

On the mound, Morris and fellow junior Dave Crawford combined to pitch seven innings, giving up four runs (two earned).

The Warriors entered the state championship game on a 13-game winning streak, with their last defeat being a 7-3 road loss against Hillsborough High on March 29. For next season, the Warriors lose eight seniors, but return ace right-handed pitcher CJ Van Eyk (12 wins, 0.77 ERA, 130 strikeouts in 91 innings). Morris, the team’s top power hitter with four home runs and 11 doubles in 2016, also returns.

Gaither’s team prevailed in a nail-biting 2-1 extra-inning game over Venice High, securing the program’s first Class 7A FHSAA state championship.

Players from Gaither High School’s varsity baseball team signal that they’re No. 1. The team beat Venice High to secure the program’s first Class 7A FHSAA state championship. (Courtesy of Gaither High baseball)
Players from Gaither High School’s varsity baseball team signal that they’re No. 1. The team beat Venice High to secure the program’s first Class 7A FHSAA state championship.
(Courtesy of Gaither High baseball)

The Cowboys (20-9) held a 1-0 into the third inning before Venice tied the game 1-1. The Gaither offense finally got a spark in the eighth inning when leadoff hitter Jose Cadenas singled, and eventually scored the winning run on a Venice throwing error. Gaither senior pitchers David Masuck and Josh Bobrowski held Venice’s offense in check, combining to allow just one run on seven hits (no extra base hits), and one walk.

The Cowboys lose eight seniors from this year’s squad, including ace lefty Gavin Gillespie (0.79 ERA, 89 strikeouts in 88 and two-thirds pitched). However, second-year coach Nelson North will have the luxury of getting back five of the team’s top six hitters in 2017, including Cadenas, Chipper Holland, Kenny Rodriguez, Danny Gutcher and AJ Drisdom.

Steinbrenner and Gaither met once during the regular season, with the Warriors defeating the Cowboys 7-3 on March 31 at Gaither High.

–Information and statistics were gathered from FHSAA.org and Maxpreps.com.

Published June 1, 2016