- March 28, 2025
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The dawn of a new baseball season brings a refreshed sense of hope for what’s coming.
That’s typically how most MLB fans feel during Spring Training, and it’s no different for Sarasota-area preps players either.
To prepare area fans for the season (which is a couple of games in), here are the Sarasota-area prep players to watch this season:
Cesar Garmendia, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior right-hander, said he had to fight through an injury to his rotator cuff last season, but has learned how to better take care of his arm because of it.
He said he’s careful now to complete his pre-throw and post-throw routines every day now, and spent much of the offseason lifting weights.
The result is a fastball that’s been pumped up from 82 mph to 88 mph, he said, which he uses to set up his changeup, curveball and slider.
“It feels like home when I’m out there on the mound,” Garmendia said. “I feel like myself and I just love it. I’m throwing harder and I’ve added some new pitches thanks to coach (Allen Morlock).”
A third-baseman and pitcher, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound Braedon Mackay is back with Sarasota after debuting as a freshman last year.
He worked on adding strength to his legs this past offseason and said his power hitting is his best attribute.
On the mound he throws a mid-80s fastball, curveball and changeup.
“We definitely have to get back on track,” he said. “If you look at the wall here, there’s so many accomplishments. It just makes you want it more.”
A 5-foot-7, 180-pound senior catcher, Andrew Rhymestine hit just .234 last season, but had a .479 on-base percentage thanks to 30 walks.
Those numbers could creep even higher this season after Rhymestine spent his offseason bettering his mental approach at the plate.
“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better with my ability to swing at the plate,” he said. “I’ve installed some more self-confidence in myself, and it’s been nice. I read a few books, like The Inner Game of Tennis, a sports psychology book.”
A 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior right-handed pitcher, Morgan Peggs prides himself on getting batters out via weak contact using a mid-80s fastball, curveball and a splitter.
That’s something that took some time for him to learn to lean into.
Last year, Peggs was Riverview’s workhorse with a 4-3 record, a 1.454 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 44 strikeouts over 43 ⅓ innings.
“My sophomore year I was kinda getting a lot of hits off me in the beginning of the season, and then I had a three-pitch inning one game, and after that I think my confidence boosted up and I started focusing on just letting the defense make plays,” he said. “I don’t have to strike everyone out.”
A 5-foot-7, 155-pound junior second baseman, Caiden Cabral hit .309 as a freshman two seasons ago, but said he got too greedy at the plate after hitting his first home run last season.
That caused a batting-average dip to .259, but was backed up with a .375 on-base percentage and a team-high 20 RBI. This season, Cabral is focused on getting back to a contact-first approach.
“I’ve been in the cage trying to work more on going the other way instead of trying to be too big,” he said. “I know I have power, but when you get too big you start rolling over on it and get out of your feel. It’s not going to be a home run every time.”
A 6-foot, 203-pound junior shortstop and pitcher, Wyatt Hossenlopp prides himself on defense.
He’ll be counted on to pitch this season, and is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he had a 1.28 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP with just five walks in 27 ⅓ innings.
Hossenlopp worked out with the football team this past fall and at The Sports Farm in Lakewood Ranch to add strength. This year he anticipates better production at the plate after hitting .244 with 15 runs and 15 RBI last year.
“Hitting wise, I’ve changed up my stance by being more athletic with my stance,” he said. “It’s helped me see the ball better and lock in when it gets to two strikes.”
A 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior right-fielder, John Badala prides himself on his power at the plate but has learned that he doesn’t have to try to mash every ball that comes his way.
Badala hit .246 last season (.358 on-base percentage) with 14 runs and 12 RBI.
He’s looking to improve his contact this season, which he said he’s worked on this offseason.
“Now I’ve been spraying balls everywhere to the left side and the right side,” he said.
A 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior shortstop, third baseman and pitcher, Jake Armstrong is expected to be a key player for the Cougars this season.
He’s a power pitcher who said he can throw his four-seam fastball up to 93 mph to go along with a slider, sinker and a split change.
Armstrong hit .269 last season (.370 on-base percentage) with 11 runs, 17 RBI and eight stolen bases. He pitched just 10 ⅔ innings last year, but struck out 14 batters.
“I’ve worked on keeping my head level when I’m on the mound when something isn’t going my way and getting over that,” he said. “When you have good chemistry like this team, it helps. Everyone has your back.”
Dameer Watford is one of 10 freshmen on Booker’s varsity team who has the team hopeful for the future.
The 5-foot-10, 186-pound first baseman and pitcher said he loves to hit and has been looking forward to playing varsity baseball for several years.
On the mound he throws a low 80s fastball, sinker and slider and is poised to be one of the Tornadoes’ top starting pitchers.
“I’ve been working on my timing,” he said. “During the summer playing with my travel team, my timing was a little messed up in some tournaments, so I’ve worked on having consistent timing and getting consistent barrels.”
Zakori Edmonds was one of Booker’s top hitters last season, and the 5-foot-11, 160-pound senior centerfielder and pitcher is primed to play a key role on a young team.
Edmonds dislocated his hip toward the end of his sophomore season, but bounced back from it this past year.
On the mound he throws a fastball, knuckle curve and a slider.
“I like our energy,” he said. “We’re going to build together.”
