Doral Academy aiming higher following school’s first state baseball title
Frank Menendez started the state championship game on the mound last season for Doral Academy.
Menendez, a University of Florida commit, didn’t finish the game, however.
But just the fact he was pitching was a small victory as he threw nearly the entire season with an injured back.
Menendez still went 6-2 with a 1.91 ERA. And most importantly, his resilience was one of the many key factors that helped Doral finally finish a season with a state championship.
While Doral hasn’t needed to reshape much this offseason, Menendez had to go to work to make sure this time, he can stay on the mound for the duration as the Firebirds chase a repeat.
“I wouldn’t use my core and my hips so that would strain my back,” Menendez said. “I worked to strengthen all those areas and I lost weight, changed the way I warm up, changed the way I run, and it’s helped. I’m hoping to pitch a full season and get stronger by the end of it.”
If Menendez can accomplish this goal, figure Doral will have a good chance to do the same.
But the Firebirds aren’t only vying for a state crown this season.
Doral is expected to be among the top-ranked teams in the nation heading into this season and is the favorite once again in Class 6A with 20 of its 22 players from last season returning.
“It’s a little difficult when you have a lot of high-profile guys because you have a lot of pro scouts so sometimes kids may want to do more than they can so you have to balance that out,” said veteran Doral coach Ralph Suarez, who last season became the first coach to lead two different Miami-Dade schools to state titles having won four previously at Brito Miami Private. “But if we pitch and can play good defense you should win 90 percent of your games right there.”
That depth Suarez is referring to begins in the infield where top prospect shortstop Adrian Santana, a University of Miami signee, is back and will be joined in the middle infield by fellow UM commit Gabriel Milan.
Santana hit .435 with four homers and 30 RBI last season and stole 20 bases. The reigning Miami Herald Class 7A-5A Player of the Year, will be joined by junior outfielder Michael Torres, who is also a lefty pitcher and hit .512 last season. Torres is ranked among the top 15 prospects nationally in the Class of 2024 by Baseball America.
First baseman Daniel Restrepo, who hit five home runs including a three-run homer in the state title game against Santa Rosa Pace, also returns. Senior catcher Justin Ruiz, a High Point commit, will once again be behind the plate and designated hitter Alejandro Ludeiro is back. Outfielders Sebastian Berrios and Rober Rodriguez are both committed to FIU.
Lefty pitcher Zachary Cowart is committed to Miami Dade college and third baseman Wilfred Gonzalez is committed to Seminole State College.
Also in Doral’s stable of arms is Keyler Gonzalez, who went 7-0 with 60 strikeouts and a 2.60 ERA. Pedro Acosta, who can throw 90-92 mph on his fastball is also back.
And also, the Firebirds said “Quackson,” the toy duck that became a good luck charm for them during last year’s state title run is back.
“He’s sleeping now, but once the season starts he’ll be back,” Menendez said with a laugh.
Menendez pitched through the entire postseason last year with an injured back.
Menendez spent the offseason rehabbing and changed his workout routine, adjusting his mechanics and technique to balance his body better on the mound and reduce strain on his back.
Menendez said he’s 100 percent pain free, but not 100 percent built up yet.
But once he is by mid-season, he could be one of the most dangerous pitchers in the state.
Doral will compete in the USA Baseball High School Invitational on March 29 through April 1.
“I think our hitting is a lot better and I don’t think high velocity will faze us,” Santana said. “We’ve been working a lot on defense and trying to stay as consistent as possible. We know we have a bullseye on our backs, but we just have to stay aggressive. It’s a fun journey for us.”
AN ESTABLISHED POWER
Miami Christian has staked its claim to be considered among the state’s top programs after winning three state titles in a five-year span and four overall.
The Victors appear to be built for a repeat run in Class 2A this season with several starters returning from last year’s championship team. That list is highlighted by senior shortstop and Wake Forest commit Jeter Polledo and senior right handed pitchers, Chris Diaz, a Miami signee, and Ukrainian-born David Bosque, who pitched 3 ⅓ scoreless innings in relief in last year’s state championship game. Miami Christian’s pitching rotation also includes juniors Hector Escobar, Jeffred Fermin, Matthew Someillan and talented sophomore Ronny Cruz. The infield is led by Jendy Gonzalez, an FIU commit, and the outfield by junior Fabio Peralta, another Miami commit, and one of the county’s best.
A BREAKOUT CHAMPION?
Miami Springs will aim to win its first ever state title after coming close in 2022. The Golden Hawks, who got as far as the state semifinals in 2019, fell last year to eventual state champion Island Coast in the Region 4-4A final.
Springs returns arguably the most talented pitching staff in the county.
Senior righties Jordan Vargas, the Miami Herald’s Class 4A-2A Pitcher of the Year in 2022, and Brandon Olivera - both UM commits - spearhead the group along with lefty David Davila, a Florida State commit, and righty/infielder Andy Hernandez, a Bethune-Cookman commit.
Miami Springs must replace talented third baseman Jason Torres, the Herald’s 4A-2A Co-Hitter of the Year, but will look for pop in its lineup from sophomore catcher Kelven Perera and senior first baseman Jordan Perez.
MORE OUTLOOKS
▪ Gulliver Prep (17-10) was a regional semifinalist last season in Class 4A and returns the top prospect in the county in senior shortstop George Lombard, a Vanderbilt commit. Lombard, a two-sport star who also plays on the Raiders’ soccer team, hit .350 with nine home runs last season and stole 12 bases. Lombard was the Perfect Game Under-17 Player of the Year and is one of seven returning seniors along with pitcher Brixton Lofgren, a Fordham commit.
▪ True North (12-13 last year) is entering only its second varsity season and ready to potentially challenge Miami Christian and others in Class 2A. The Titans will be led by senior shortstop and FIU commit Sam Fischer and his brother, freshman Matias Fischer, a switch-hitting infielder/pitcher who is committed to UM. Sophomore catcher Alan Rodriguez has already drawn interest from UM, FIU and UCF. True North, which is coached by former American Heritage standout Adrian Nieto, recently beat perennial powerhouse Columbus in a preseason game.
▪ Columbus (22-6), a regional finalist in 7A to eventual national champ Stoneman Douglas, lost its top two pitchers but returns Gabe Cruz, a righty and Stetson commit who has touched 94 mph on his fastball. Shortstop Carlos Jacome has also signed with Stetson and senior righty Nick Zarranz has signed with Tampa University. First baseman Luis Miguel is a three-year starter.
▪ Westminster Christian (20-9-1 last year), which lost in the regional finals last year to eventual 3A champ North Broward Prep, will be led by junior infielder and UM commit Ethan Puig. Senior outfielder Chris Carroll, a Dayton signee, returns and the rotation will be led by senior Chase Campbell and freshman Aaron Hernandez, a Wake Forest commit.
▪ Florida Christian (18-11 last year), a regional semifinalist last season in Class 3A, returns 15 seniors led by infielder Javier Gorostola, a Florida Gulf Coast commit. Right handed pitcher Lazaro Collera, a UM commit, leads the Patriots on the mound.
▪ Rivera Prep (19-7 last season) will once again be led by one of the state’s top two-way players in right handed pitcher/shortstop Eric Fernandez, who hit .566 with eight home runs and 54 RBI while recording a 0.36 ERA and nine saves in 20 ⅔ innings. Fernandez is a UM commit and was invited to play in the MLB Draft League.
▪ Miami Sunset could be poised for one of the biggest turnarounds in the state after going a combined 1-31 the past two seasons. Senior catcher Nicholas Rodriguez, a USF commit, spearheads the Knights’ lineup along with 2024 Division-I prospect shortstop Angel Santiago and freshman Nicholas Roca, who coach Julio Mendoza says resembles Sunset alum and former Coastal Carolina star and New York Mets draft pick Michael Paez. The Knights are in a tough Class 4A bracket that includes Miami Springs and Key West.
▪ Monsignor Pace, a regional quarterfinalist in Class 4A last year, returns Miami Dade College commits John Caballero (8-2, 1.89 ERA), a right handed pitcher, and third baseman Luis Munoz. Veteran Spartans coach Tom Duffin is 10 wins away from his 500th career victory.
▪ Palmetto (12-11 in 2022), a regional quarterfinalist in Class 7A, will be led by outfielder and University of Florida commit Blake Brookins. Junior Mike Arnold and sophomore Luis Sosa lead the Panthers on the mound.
▪ South Dade (11-10-1 in 2022) saw the return of legendary coach Fred Burnside to its dugout. For his 48th season coaching, Burnside’s Bucs will be led by St. Thomas University commit Henry Fernandez, a shortstop who hit .416 and pitchers Kaleb Borek, Angel Ayala and Brandon Roman.
▪ St. Brendan (13-10 in 2022) returns a solid core led by a trio of juniors - second baseman Luis Suarez, shortstop/pitcher Jean Garcia-Chicano and pitcher/first baseman Jay Fernandez-Andrew.
▪ Palmer Trinity (11-12), a regional quarterfinalist in 3A, could see improvement under a new coaching staff spearheaded by new coach Howard Cuervo. Junior Andres Williams senior Sam Burnitz and juniors Jake Pearcy and Jake Font lead the Falcons.
▪ TERRA (8-14 last season) will look for improvement led by sophomores Samuel Alonso and Damian Leyva.
▪ Somerset Academy Silver Palms has a young team with just three seniors. After going 9-15 last season, the top player in 2023 is pitcher/center fielder Christopher Keltz.
▪ Coral Gables (11-11 in 2022) hopes to be a balanced and solid defensive team led by senior pitchers Idali Diego and Justin Bohanon.
This story was originally published February 16, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
