Reunited and it feels so good – ex-Stoneman Douglas High teammates join Marlins
When it comes to their baseball careers, Chris Arroyo and Jake Clemente can’t quit each other.
The two of them won a pair of state titles under coach Todd Fitz-Gerald at Stoneman Douglas High. They both signed with the Florida Gators.
And, on Monday, both were drafted by the hometown Marlins – within two rounds of each other.
Arroyo, a lefty-swinging first baseman/outfielder who finished his college career at the University of Virginia, was selected in the fifth round, pick No. 139.
Clemente, a right-handed pitcher, was selected in the seventh round, pick No. 198.
Fitz-Gerald said he’s happy that Arroyo – a 20-year-old native of Puerto Rico -- will be a hitter only in the pros after posting a 4.97 ERA in 12 2/3 innings at Virginia this year.
As a hitter, Arroyo hit 11 homers, drove in 42 runs in 49 games and posted an .880 OPS.
“I always thought he was a special hitter,” Fitz-Gerald said. “He has natural raw power.”
Clemente, a 21-year-old native of Coral Springs, said he enjoys starting and also relief work. This year, though, he became Florida’s closer, posting a 2-1 record with a 3.46 ERA and a team-high seven saves.
“I like that Florida threw him in the back of the bullpen – that increased his value,” Fitz-Gerald said. “He’s a very competitive kid.”
Clemente said he has been working on a changeup and on a cutter, but he primarily throws a fastball and a slider. His fastball sits 95-96 mph and has touched 99. His slider sits 85-86.
“Getting drafted is awesome – it’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid,” Clemente said. “I’m ready to prove myself at the next level.”
Clemente said “it’s funny the way the whole process worked out with (Arroyo) – from Douglas to UF and now the Marlins. It’s nice.”
As for Douglas continuing to produce pro prospects, Fitz-Gerald is proud.
“That’s 15 of our guys drafted since 2012,” Fitz-Gerald said. “Pretty amazing.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ Miami Hurricanes closer Brian Walters was picked in the eighth round by the Phillies.
Walters finished second in the ACC last season with 11 saves. He went 2-3 with a 4.94 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 51 innings.
He likely would have had more saves, but he spent the first five weeks of the season as a starter.
“He could do either – start or relieve – in the pros,” Hurricanes pitching coach Laz Gutierrez said. “He’s got a humongous arm with a big fastball, an advanced sinker and a slider that’s very good when he trusts it.
“He’s also got a quick and loose arm swing. The ball comes out easily.”
▪ Jonathan Gonzalez, a left-hander from Stetson by way of Miami’s Columbus High, was picked in the 14th round by the Phillies. He went 10-2 with a 1.83 ERA in 15 starts this past season. Opponents hit just .201 against him.
▪ Nova Southeastern University right-hander Anthony Karoly (1-1, 4.18 ERA) was drafted by Seattle in the 17th round. In 28 innings, he walked 18 batters. But he also struck out 47 batters and held opponents to a .168 average.
▪ FIU had two pitchers drafted: Owen Puk (18th round to Washington) and Easton Marks (19th round to Colorado). It’s the first time since 2019 that FIU has had at least two players selected in the same draft. Puk’s older brother, A.J., is a major-league pitcher for Arizona.
▪ Two MDC lefty-hitting recruits were drafted: outfielder Jordan Rich (17th round, Toronto) and catcher Leamsi Montanez (20th round, Cincinnati). Rich is from American Heritage. Montanez is from Puerto Rico.
▪ Miami Christian right-hander Derek Munoz was drafted in the 19th round by Cleveland.
▪ Over the two-day draft, Florida State had a program-record and nation-leading 11 players selected. In fact, the first four college players from the state were all FSU players.
▪ Florida had six players drafted; UCF had five; Stetson had four; USF had three; and Miami and FIU had two each. No other Florida college had multiple players selected.