Top South Florida high school baseball players prominent at MLB Draft Combine

In the Valley of the Sun, South Florida baseball is well represented.

For the fourth year, Major League Baseball is hosting its MLB Draft Combine, and second straight at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The nearly week-long event has assembled all 30 MLB clubs, who are getting closer looks at 319 of the top high school and college draft-eligible players.

Attending from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are Devin Fitz-Gerald (Marjory Stoneman Douglas), Michael Torres (Doral Academy), Ronny Cruz (Miami Christian), and from Westminster Christian -- Manny Marin and Lazaro Collera.

“We’ve got talent down there, and we’re showing it,” said Fitz-Gerald, who also is committed to North Carolina State. “We’ve got a lot of good guys here. We’re all enjoying it. I know that, and we’re glad to be out here.”

Marin made his presence felt during hitting and fielding drills on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Tennessee commit went through a number of interviews with teams. A consensus among the pro teams is Marin can stick at shortstop at the next level.

“The combine experience has been nothing but expected, meeting people, the field, everything has been great,” Marin said. “Big league facility. It’s been a great experience.”

The MLB Combine is still in its early growing stages, being televised by MLB Network. A year ago, the event attracted about 290 players, and 19 participants from the first three combines have already made their MLB debuts.

“Hopefully we can connect the players with the fans on a little more of a personal level before they get thrust into the Minor Leagues seasons,” said Dan Otero, MLB’s senior director of on-field operations.

The concept is along the lines of what the National Football League has long established as its premiere pre-draft football event.

From a fan-engagement perspective, MLB sees its combine as an opportunity to showcase its top draftable talent to the individual teams as baseball fans in general.

“Getting all the top prospects in one place just made sense,” said Otero, who is from Miami. “And a part of this four or five day [event] is the medical side. Now they can all go into the draft with all the same information, which really helps the clubs. It just builds excitement for the future of our game. That’s what we’re really trying to promote here, and I think we’ve done a really good job with that.”

In the first two days of the combine, players took batting practice, as well as infield and outfield drills. Pitchers threw off the main mound or in the bullpens.

On Wednesday, Cruz and Torres had their batting practice rounds. Each players rounds had advanced metrics shown on the scoreboard. Cruz, a shortstop, had his hardest hit ball clocked at 107.9 mph.

Cruz also impressed with his movements at shortstop.

“I was just looking to show some impact on the ball, being on the big field,” added Marin, who had his exit velocity clocked in the 102 mph range. “Just have some fun. Hit it out there.”

Marin cleared the fence on a couple of batting practice drives.

Torres, a left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder, had his hardest hit ball tracked at 105.1 mph. And from centerfield, the Doral Academy star showed his arm strength on throws to second base, third base and home plate.

“It’s been awesome, being on this beautiful field,” Torres said. “Getting exposure and being around all these great players and coaches. Just living the dream.”

Torres, who committed to the University of Miami, was also a standout pitcher at Doral Academy. But at the combine, he noted his focus is firmly on being a position player.

“I’ve hung up the pitching glove,” Torres said. “I’m pretty much done with that. I’m just focusing myself on the outfield and in the batters’ box, and just trying to show who I really am.”

Torres possesses the combination of speed, and an advanced hitting approach. The growth he made from his junior to senior seasons is how he approached his at-bats.

“Staying positive in the box,” Torres said. “Not worrying if I got out. Just worry about hitting line drives in the gaps, and the results will come. Being positive. Trusting my swing and my approach.”

Fitz-Gerald isn’t participating in on-field drills. The switch-hitting shortstop has dealt with a hamstring issue in recent weeks, and is using the combine to meet with individual teams as well as undertake all the medical testing.

“We thought it would be best, especially since I’m still rehabbing my hamstring,” Fitz-Gerald said.

The MLB Draft is scheduled for July 14-16.

“I can’t really tell what my future is right now,” Torres said. “Just ready for whatever is next to come.”