Broward baseball preview: Heritage arms aiming for repeat, Douglas dynasty solid as ever
The premier baseball dynasty in the state of Florida and the nation doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon.
Stoneman Douglas enters the 2024 season looking to break or tie more records as it looks to become the only the second team in state history to win four consecutive state championships, tying Archbishop McCarthy.
But the Eagles are looking to extend their record for consecutive national championships to four years in a row being declared the top team in the nation.
Douglas figures to be ranked right at the top once again this season with a roster that will have 17 college signees including 12 to Division-I programs.
“With a blend of pitching, defense, and offense we should be in the mix at the end,” Douglas coach Todd Fitz-Gerald said. “Lots of talent on paper if these guys gel together we will be tough to beat.”
Although the Eagles graduated workhorse pitcher Christian Rodriguez, a Florida signee, they remain replete with talented arms and a perfect balance of five righties and five lefties.
Senior righthander Jayden Dubanaweicz, a Florida signee, who went 11-0 with a 1.17 ERA last season, leads the group and has an 88-91 mph fastball and a wipeout slider in his arsenal. Senior and UCF signee Gavin Gargiulo has a 3-pitch mix and can also touch 90-91 on his fastball.
Adding to the Eagles’ depth on the mound are sophomore and University of Miami commit Gio Rojas, senior and Barry University commit James Smith as well as seniors Brayden Mcluskey (Hillsborough CC commit) and Dave Goldapper (Eastern Florida State commit).
Douglas returns six starters from a loaded lineup, which averaged 8.6 runs per game during its 29-0 season last year.
Fitz-Gerald’s son, Devin, is an NC State signee and a potential draft pick this summer. The senior shortstop is a switch hitter and has shown power from both sides of the plate. Senior third baseman Rylan Lujo, a Dayton signee, also adds power to the lineup and excellent defensive tools. Senior and UCF signee Alex Rodriguez stole 25 bases last season and has shown great ability tracking balls in the outfield with the speed that serves him well on the base paths.
First baseman Niko Benestad, a senior and USF signee, was one of the most clutch hitters for the Eagles last season and should bring power in the heart of their lineup again this year.
Juniors Bennett Gary (UM commit), and Nick Diaz (Georgia commit) add depth to the outfield while junior catcher Drew Freeman (Louisville commit) and seniors Ethan Askin (Eastern Florida State commit) and Micky Case (Embry-Riddle commit) will all see time behind the plate.
TALENTED DUO
American Heritage is vying to repeat as state champion for the first time in school history. One look at the Patriots’ pitching staff produces confidence that just might happen.
The Patriots return one of the toughest 1-2 punches at the top of any rotation with righty Talan Holiday and lefty Spencer Krasner.
Holiday, the Miami Herald’s 5A-2A Pitcher of the Year last season, is a North Carolina commit and a 2025 pro prospect. Krasner is one of the top arms of the Class of 2026 who is already committed to Virginia. Senior Antonio Turco-Rivas, an NYU commit, should add depth to the pitching staff as well.
A lineup led by senior outfielder Lucas Ramirez, the son of former Major League star Manny Ramirez and a Tennessee commit, and junior infielders RJ Machado, Zach Wilson and Chris Levy will try to balance the Patriots’ roster.
RISING CONTENDER
If anyone is a threat to Douglas’ reign at the top in Class 7A, it’s likely the team that the Eagles have dispatched from the playoffs each of the past two seasons in the regional semifinals.
Coral Springs Taravella is coming off a 16-8 season and has advanced to at least the second round each of the past three seasons.
The Trojans might have the depth and balance to truly contend with Douglas this season in the hopes of winning the school’s first state championship.
Senior pitchers Anthony Quigley, EJ Burns and Javi Miranda headline a group of four arms who can top 90 mph on their fastballs. Junior third baseman/pitcher Johnny Lopez rounds out the group and brings some pop to the Taravella lineup.
Taravella coach Joe Giummule is also approaching a milestone as he needs 16 wins to reach 300 career coaching victories.
NEW TITLE RUN?
A year after being denied a state championship three-peat in the Class 4A final, North Broward Prep has reloaded in the hopes of starting a new title run.
The Eagles have a senior-heavy squad that should be among the deepest in the state on the mound and at the plate.
UCF commit Mateo Gray and Appalachian State commit Riley Luft each have experience in high-leverage innings and have been pivotal parts of the Eagles’ past three seasons advancing to the state tournament. The two should make up for the loss of Ryan McPherson, a Mississippi State commit who will not pitch this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Catcher TJ Gramesty, an FAU commit, junior Kiernan O’Neill, a UCF commit, and senior outfielder AJ Cutler, a Union College (NY) signee, add depth to the Eagles’ lineup.
KEY DATES
Monday: Regular season begins; March 25-31: Spring break tournaments; April 29-May 2: Districts; May 7-14: Regionals; May 15-22: State tournament in Fort Myers.
MORE TEAM OUTLOOKS
▪ Archbishop McCarthy (24-6, 5A regional finalist) returns only two starters from last season’s squad and will start some freshmen and sophomores as it hopes to be in state title contention once again. Senior catcher Greg Caban, an Eastern Kentucky commit, is a solid defender who can hit for power and average. Sophomore and FAU commit Daniel Machado, a switch hitter, moves to shortstop this season after playing second base last year. The Mavericks’ ace will be senior Stephen Joyce, a Santa Fe CC commit.
▪ West Broward (17-9, 7A regional semifinalist) returns another postseason-contending squad led by senior pitcher JP Querales and senior shortstop Alejandro Sardinas.
▪ Calvary Christian (20-8, 4A regional finalist) will be led on the mound once again by junior pitcher Braeden Rosenthal, who earned first team All-Broward honors last season.
▪ Western (14-11, 7A regional quarterfinalist) returns a deep pitching staff it hopes will carry it further into the regional playoffs this season. Senior righty Mason Blocker returns to the mound after missing all of last season. Right-hander Jimmy Huard has touched 93 mph on his fastball and junior outfielder Zach Beyra can touch 94 mph. Senior catcher Tyler Jenkins will also pitch out of the bullpen when he’s not behind the plate.
▪ Pembroke Pines Charter (14-12, 5A regional semifinalist) expects its strength to be its pitching staff led by junior Sebastian Gonzalez, senior Carlos Mendez, a Barry University commit, and junior Justin Probst. The key will be what production the Jaguars get from a lineup led by senior shortstop Alejandro Puig, a Dartmouth commit.
▪ Westminster Academy (16-10-1, 2A state semifinalist) made its first trip to the state final four since 2000 last season. The Lions lost multiple players to graduation or transfers, but returned a solid core that could propel them back to Fort Myers. Senior center fielder and leadoff hitter Julian Irizarry, a Pitt commit, leads the group along with NSU commit JC Hernandez, a senior first baseman and right fielder.
Right-handed pitcher Colin Cartagena, a UNF commit, leads the WA pitching staff after going 6-2 with a 2.00 ERA last year. Westminster also has an impressive freshman first baseman Nico Ramos (6-6, 260 pounds), who is already on multiple scouts’ radars.
▪ St. Thomas Aquinas (14-9-1, 6A regional quarterfinalist) will be led on the mound once again by senior righty Anthony Ciscar, a University of Miami signee.
▪ NSU University School (18-7, 3A regional quarterfinalist) returns a core of juniors who also starred on the Sharks’ football team this past fall. Catcher Griffin Pomper leads the group along with center fielder Bradyn Potter and third baseman Rocco Rovetto, who earned first team All-Broward honors last season. Junior Landon Petty and sophomore Matthew Greenberg will headline the University pitching staff.
▪ Chaminade (8-16 last season) is led by junior pitcher Jon Gourrier, junior shortstop John Scott Bishop, a transfer from Cooper City, sophomore third baseman Miguel Roa, who is a nephew of Miguel Cabrera and freshman shortstop Jake Carruthers.
▪ South Broward (13-11 last season) returns a core of juniors which has been together for two seasons and hopes they will carry the Bulldogs to a district title in Class 6A. The group is led by catcher Thomas Giltner, pitcher Daniel Wasserman, infielder Dante Hernandez and outfielder Ricky Losada.
▪ Pine Crest (10-11) will be led by senior outfielder and Bucknell commit Ian Hurt and a trio of sophomores in catcher Cooper Obst and infielders Stephen Gladding and Micah Billig.
▪ Coral Glades (11-10, 7A regional quarterfinalist) will be led by senior catcher Jack Kollwitz, a Mississippi Valley State commit, and junior pitchers Kyle Fernandes and Asa Lindo.
