Southridge’s Vidal, Mater’s Quevedo are Dade Baseball 7A-5A Players of the Year
For Miami Southridge pitcher Isaac Vidal, the key was being aggressive yet humble on the mound.
While for Mater Academy third baseman Yodelkis Quevedo, being patient at the plate was a vital part of his success.
Both Vidal and Quevedo became two of the most dominant players anyone could face this season in Miami-Dade County.
Vidal, a junior and University of Miami commit, is the Miami Herald’s Miami-Dade County Baseball Pitcher of the Year for Classes 7A-5A. Quevedo, a senior and Florida State University signee, is the Dade 7A-5A Player of the Year.
Vidal, a hard-throwing right-hander, averaged two strikeouts per inning this season while leading the Spartans to the Class 6A regional finals before losing to eventual repeat state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. The Spartans also won a district title and their first GMAC championship since 2001.
Vidal struck out 106 batters in 52 2/3 innings, and compiled a 1.59 ERA at the top of the Spartans’ rotation.
“We had some ups and downs this season, and we didn’t want it to end the way we did, but we accomplished a lot,” Vidal said. “My control was better this year than last year and I just stayed humble out there. That’s something my coach taught me and to always keep control.”
Vidal is expected to be the key figure in Southridge’s attempt to clear that final hurdle next season and make it to the state final four. After that, Vidal is an MLB draft prospect who has also signed to pitch for the University of Miami.
“It’s a blessing to commit there and stay close to family. I’m just going to stay humble and just progress,” Vidal said. “The main goal is to make it to the big leagues, but I’m really excited to be a part of the University of Miami.”
Quevedo was already an intimidating presence for opposing pitchers with his 6-foot, 3-inch, 210-pound frame and No. 99 on the back of his jersey resembling Aaron Judge.
But learning how to be more selective in his approach is what he said helped him have an even more productive season at the plate his senior year.
Quevedo hit .386 with eight home runs, seven doubles and drove in 39 runs for the Lions as they secured a return trip to the Class 5A state final four. If Quevedo goes the college route, he hopes to keep developing as a player in Tallahassee for a Seminoles’ program looking to return to Omaha next year after losing in the NCAA Regionals this season.
“I wanted to win every game and keep my team humble. We had a great squad and played with high energy,” Quevedo said. “I learned to be more consistent at the plate. I took a lot of walks because I knew I was going to get pitched around. I’m a big guy, and I’m going to hit a lot of bombs, but I stayed in my zone.”
