TUCSON, Ariz. — American Heritage High School (Plantation, Fla.) is ranked No. 1 in Collegiate Baseball’s 2018 Pre-Season National High School Poll.

The Patriots feature a ball club that has 10 high profile NCAA Division I commits.

Two of the top hitters in the nation return in 3B/RHP Triston Casas (Miami, Fla. commit, .446, 4 HR, 5 2B, 18 RBI) and 2B/RHP Cory Acton (Florida commit, .470, 7 HR, 5 2B, 3 3B, 26 RBI).

Other high profile players include (with college they are committed to):

• LHP Bailey Mantilla (Miami, Fla.).
• LHP Ryan Cabarcas (Florida).
• CF Enrique Bradfield (Vanderbilt).
• SS/RHP Jordan Carrion (Florida).
• 3B Gio Ferraro (Miami, Fla.).
• LHP Devin Futrell (Vanderbilt).
• 1B Gavin Casas (Vanderbilt).
• C Julio Cortez (South Florida).

“This is the deepest team I have ever had at American Heritage,” said Head Coach Bruce Aven who played 10 years in the Major Leagues and has coached the Patriots the past six seasons.

“In 2012, we had an exceptional team with six or seven ending up playing professional baseball. We had a first rounder in Zach Collins and a second and third rounder as well.”

American Heritage, which posted a 20-7 overall record last season, is obviously loaded with talent but will undoubtedly play with a chip on its shoulder after bowing out of the playoffs last season with a first round loss.

“When we were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round last year, it was a shock to everybody. We were one of the best teams in the state of Florida and didn’t hit and made uncharacteristic errors that particular playoff game. The other team played better than us and deserved to win.

“Our guys have been waiting for the opportunity to play this season with that bad memory driving them. It was an experience that they can learn from.

“With that being said, we have a bunch of players who are humble and work hard. They have a special drive to get better. They have learned from that loss that they must play every single pitch and win the process which results in good things happening.”

Tristan Casas is one of the top high school player in the country.

“I don’t know many 17-year-olds who have been part of three gold medal winning ball clubs with Team USA. He has succeeded at everything he has done. What makes him special is that he has done it with the utmost respect for the game and has a great work ethic.

“Potentially he is a top five pick in the Major League Draft next June. While that is obviously important, he also wants to win a state title. It would mean a great deal to him.”

What also makes this team unique is that several players can play multiple positions.

“Cory will move around as well as Triston. We don’t really have a set lineup yet because there are different players who can perform defensively at different positions. That’s another plus with this team.”

The pitching staff goes six deep with everyone committed to Florida, Miami (Fla.) or Vanderbilt.

“I have had staffs throw harder in the past, but the guys we have can really pitch, and all of them utilize three pitches each.

“That is really rare on a high school pitching staff. You are lucky to get guys to command a fastball. But everyone has multiple pitches with exceptional command,” said Aven.

For information on all the top 30 teams in the poll, read the full story in the January 26, 2018 edition of Collegiate Baseball. This issue also includes the Collegiate Baseball 2018 Pre-Season All-Americans and a state-by-state list of top high school players. You can subscribe or purchase a single copy of Collegiate Baseball by CLICKING HERE.

Collegiate Baseball’s National H.S. Pre-Season Poll
(As of Jan. 19, 2018)

TUCSON, Ariz. — An all-star lineup of high school players headlines Collegiate Baseball’s 2018 Pre-Season High School All America team.

The players on this list represent not only amazing athletic ability and talent in their respective positions, but they also are among the most sought after players by pro scouts and college recruiters.

The majority of the players have committed to a college and most have received national recognition already. Many were players of the year in their league, region or state and have racked up a number of awards, including national honors. Players are nominated for the honor by their high school coaches.

For statistics and details about each member of the 2018 Collegiate Baseball Pre-Season H.S. All-America team, purchase the Jan. 26, 2018 edition of Collegiate Baseball newspaper or subscribe by CLICKING HERE.

This issue also includes a state-by-state list of the top high school players to watch in the country as well as the top 30 teams in Collegiate Baseball’s National High School Baseball Pre-Season Poll.

FIRST TEAM
Pitchers
Cole Winn, RHP, Orange Lutheran H.S., Orange, CA
Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge H.S., Glendale, AZ
Jonathan Childress, LHP, Forney H.S., TX
Slade Cecconi, RHP, Trinity Prep, Winter Park, FL
Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee H.S., Bogart, GA
Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central H.S., Cumming, GA
Michael Vasil, RHP, Boston College H.S., Boston, MA
Trace Moore, LHP, Nova H.S., Davie, FL
Landon Marceaux, RHP, Destrehan H.S., LA
Luke Bartnicki, LHP, Walton H.S., Marietta, GA
Luke Mann, RHP, St. John Vianney, St. Louis, MO
Gene Hurst, RHP, Oak Mountain H.S., Birmingham, AL
Garrett Schmeltz, LHP, Pleasure Ridge Park H.S., Louisville, KY
Travis Hester, RHP, College Station H.S., TX
Will Morrison, RHP, Cullman H.S. AL
Mason Ronan, LHP, Penn Cambria H.S., Cresson, PA
Carter Raffield, RHP, Bleckley County H.S., Cochran, GA
Lineras Torres, RHP, Beacon H.S., NY
Kyle Perry, LHP, Millard South H.S., Omaha, NE
Brennan Oxford, LHP, Oyster River H.S., Durham, NH
Joseph Brandon, RHP, Loganville H.S., GA
Brandon Neeck, LHP, Horace Greeley H.S., Chappaqua, NY
Timmy Townsend, RHP, Providence H.S., Charlotte, NC
Brandon Dieter, RHP, South Hills H.S., West Covina, CA

Catchers
Will Banfield, Brookwood H.S., Snellville, GA
Austin Wells, Bishop Gorman H.S., Las Vegas, NV
Patrick Winkel, Amity H.S., Woodbridge, CT
Luke Hancock, Houston H.S., MS
Matt McCormick, St. Laurence H.S., Burbank,

Infielders
Brice Turang, SS, Santiago H.S., Corona, CA
Nolan Gorman, 3B, Sandra Day O’Connor H.S., Phoenix, AZ
Triston Casas, 3B/RHP, American Heritage H.S., Plantation, FL
Cory Acton, 2B/3B, American Heritage H.S., Plantation, FL
Alec Sanchez, 2B/SS, Providence H.S., Jacksonville, FL
Osiris Johnson, SS, Encinal H.S., Alameda, CA
Branden Comia, SS, Carl Sandburg H.S., Orland Park, IL
Kendall Logan Simmons, SS/3B, Tattnall Square Academy, Macon, GA
Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Colleyville Heritage H.S., Colleyville, TX
Jose Rivera, SS/2B, Riverdale Baptist H.S., Upper Marlboro, MD
Bryce Bush, 3B, DeLaSalle H.S., Warren, MI
Charlie Mack, SS, Williamsville East H.S., Williamsville, NY
Alec Carr, SS/2B, Fort Bend Kempner H.S., Sugar Land, TX
Dax Fellows, SS/2B, Silverado H.S., Las Vegas, NV
J.T. Schwartz, SS, Corona del Mar H.S., Newport Beach, CA
Austin Schultz, SS, Norris H.S., Firth, NE

Outfielders
Alex Thomas, Mt. Carmel H.S., Chicago, IL
Tanner O’Tremba, Cherry Creek H.S., Greenwood Village, CO
Joe Gray Jr., Hattiesburg H.S., MS
Preston Hartsell, Corona del Mar H.S., Newport Beach, CA
Nick Decker, Seneca H.S., Tabernacle, NJ
Kendrick Calilao, The First Academy, Orlando, FL
Eric Kennedy, Calvary Christian H.S., Clearwater, FL
Michael Siani, Penn Charter H.S., Philadelphia, PA

Multi-Position Players
Grayson Rodriguez, RHP/SS, Central Heights H.S., Nacogdoches, TX
Ryan Weathers, LHP/1B, Loretto H.S., TN
Simeon Woods-Richardson, RHP/3B/1B, Fort Bend Kempner H.S., Sugar Land, TX
John Thomas Ginn, RHP/SS, Brandon H.S., MS
Brett Brown, SS/P, Godley H.S., TX
Spencer Schwellenbach, SS/RHP, Saginaw Heritage H.S., Saginaw, MI
Anthony Seigler, C/P, Cartersville H.S., GA
Hunter Watson, SS/3B/RHP, Pottsboro H.S., TX
Braxton Ashcraft, RHP/3B, Robinson H.S., TX
Joseph Menefee, LHP/1B/OF, George Ranch H.S., Richmond, TX
Hunter Barco, LHP/1B, The Bolles School, Jacksonville, FL
Mike Doolin, SS/RHP, Andrean H.S., Merrillville, IN
Nick Schnell, CF/RHP, Roncalli H.S., Indianapolis, IN
Cole Wilcox, RHP/1B, Heritage H.S., Ringgold, GA
Connor Scott, CF/LHP, H.B. Plant H.S., Tampa, FL
Jack Perkins, RHP/OF, Kokomo H.S., IN
Mason Denaburg, RHP/C, Merritt Island H.S., FL
Jaden Hill, RHP/3B, Ashdown H.S., AR
J.T. Johnson, 3B/RHP, Greenup County H.S., Greenup, KY

SECOND TEAM
Pitchers
Mason Englert, RHP, Forney H.S., TX
Eric Wallington, LHP, TC Roberson H.S., Asheville, NC
Jack Hinrichsen, RHP, C.K. McClatchy H.S., Sacramento, CA
Yianni Skeriotis, RHP, Jackson H.S., Massillon, OH
Christian MacLeod, LHP, Huntsville H.S., AL
Sandeep Mahl, RHP, Encinal H.S., Alameda, CA
Cutter Sippel, LHP, Southlake Carroll H.S., Southlake, TX
Kyle Lang, RHP, Crystal Lake South H.S., Crystal Lake, IL
Brandon Walker, RHP, North Florida Christian H.S., Tallahassee, FL
Chase Webster, RHP, Mesquite H.S., Gilbert, AZ
Patrick Wicklander, LHP, Valley Christian H.S., San Jose, CA
Justin Jarvis, RHP, Lake Norman H.S., Mooresville, NC
Franco Aleman, RHP, Alonso H.S., Tampa, FL
Rye Gunter, RHP, Coppell H.S., TX
Joshua South, RHP, Cookeville H.S., TN
Cameron Barlow, LHP, Dyer County H.S., Newbern, TN
Kaden Krowka, LHP, Rockwall-Heath H.S., Heath, TX
Matthew Thompson, RHP, Cypress Ranch H.S., Cypress, TX
Michael Maiolo, RHP, Woodrow Wilson H.S., Beckley, WV

Catchers
Brett Zimmerman, Frankfort H.S., MI
Adrian Del Castillo, Gulliver Prep, Miami, FL
Logan Cerny, Parkview H.S., Lilburn, GA
Aaron McKeithan, TC Roberson H.S., Asheville, NC
Kameron Ojeda, St. John Bosco H.S., Bellflower, CA
Cole Stilwell, Rockwall-Heath H.S., Heath, TX

Infielders
Michael Perez, SS, Gahr H.S., Cerritos, CA
Cade Beloso, 1B, John Curtis Christian School, River Ridge, LA
Drake Westcott, 3B, Edwardsville H.S., IL
Jared Poland, SS, Cathedral H.S., Indianapolis, IN
Bobby Goodloe, 2B/SS, Godley H.S., TX
Zach Thomas, SS, Eastern View H.S., Culpeper, VA
Nick Burdette, 1B, Bingham H.S., South Jordan, UT
Grant Lavigne, 1B, Bedford H.S., NH
Emilio Rosas, SS/3B, Mater Dei H.S., Santa Ana, CA
Jay Curtis, 3B, John Curtis Christian School, River Ridge, LA
Anthony Volpe, SS, Delbarton School, Morristown, NJ

Outfielders
Josh Hall, Homewood H.S., AL
Colton Cowser, Cypress Ranch H.S., TX
Christian Franklin, Rockhurst H.S., Kansas City, MO
Brandon Bossiere, Woodcrest Christian H.S., Riverside, CA

Multi-Position Players
Matt Grogan, RHP/OF, St. Michaels H.S., MD
Joe Naranjo, 1B/LHP, Ruben S. Ayala H.S., Chino Hills, CA
Cole Daniels, LHP/1B, Saline H.S., MI
Cade Doughty, SS/RHP/OF, Denham Springs H.S., LA
Jack Filby, SS/C/RHP, C.K. McClatchy H.S., Sacramento, CA
Willie Weiss, SS/RHP, Westview H.S., Portland, OR
Erik Tolman, LHP/DH, El Toro H.S., Lake Forest, CA