LAKE MARY — The Florida Collegiate Summer League saw 11 of its alumni selected in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft, with another five signing a free agent deal in the last week. The 16 players represent all six of the current Florida League franchises, and come from teams over the past four Florida League seasons.
The following players, all of whom signed an FCSL contract at some point, were drafted by Major League organizations this week:
* Marco Dinges was the top Florida League selection in the 2024 Draft, going in the fourth round to the Milwaukee Brewers. Dinges, who was a standout at Florida State this season, was a Second Team All-Florida League selection during the 2022 season, when he helped the Leesburg Lightning to the Florida League Championship Series for the second consecutive season.
* Edgar Alvarez could be described as a Florida League lifer, as the Orlando native played five seasons in the FCSL - one in Division II and four for head coach Terry Abbott in Division I for the Squeeze, Dawgs, and Snappers. A three-time All-Florida League selection and two-time Florida League All-Star, Alvarez capped off an All-American season by being selected in eighth round by the Chicago Cubs.
* Peyton Carr was the second former member of the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs to be selected, as the Fort Myers native heard his name called in the tenth round by the Minnesota Twins. Carr hit 13 home runs during his senior season at High Point, and was part of Winter Park's 2021 team that advanced to their third Florida League Championship Series in four years.
* Tyson Hardin was dominant for head coach Matt Swiderski and the 2022 Seminole County Snappers, a summer in which he committed to Mississippi State. Hardin, who struck out 15 hitters in 12 innings for the Snappers, struck out almost a batter an inning this spring for the Bulldogs, and heard his name called in the 12th round by the Milwaukee Brewers, the second Florida Leaguer to head to Milwaukee.
* Fulton Lockhart was the first current Florida Leaguer to hear his name called, as well as the first Sanford River Rat. Lockhart flashed a fastball north of 98 miles per hour for Jesse Litsch's team this summer, earning selection to the Florida League All-Star Game. A product of the College of Central Florida, Lockhart will head out west as a 13th round selection of the Los Angeles Angels.
* Connor Hujsak became the second former Florida Leaguer from Mississippi State drafted on Tuesday, as the 2023 Sanford River Rat slugger was picked up in the 13th round by the Tampa Bay Rays. The New Hampshire native was one of the best players in the Florida League last season, slashing .319/.418/.553 with five home runs and 16 runs batted in for head coach Kevin Davidson.
* Najer Victor was the first player from Orlando's Hometown Team (UCF) selected, and will head to the Los Angeles Angels as a 14th round selection. Victor pitched for the Leesburg Lightning in 2022 and was sensational, striking out 17 hitters in 14.1 innings with a 1.25 earned run average. Victor made 43 appearances for UCF over the past two seasons, striking out 80 hitters in 58.2 innings.
* Ian Farrow helped the Winter Garden Squeeze to their first ever Florida League Championship Series last season, and now heads to the Pittsburgh Pirates as a 14th round selection. Returning to FGCU this spring, Farrow, who was the first Winter Garden player selected in the 2024 Draft, was one of the Eagles' top power hitters, belting 15 home runs and driving in 44.
* Michael Ross was the second member of the 2021 Winter Garden Squeeze drafted, joining Edgar Alvarez. Ross was selected in the 17th round by the Minnesota Twins after a breakout season at Samford. The Winter Haven native was 13-0 this spring for the Bulldogs, striking out 88 hitters with a 3.27 earned run average en route to conference Pitcher of the Year honors.
* Jalen Hairston was the second current Florida Leaguer to be selected, as well as the second with Florida League Division II experience. The 18th round selection of the Reds moved up to the DeLand Suns at the end of the 2023 season before a potential All-Florida League season with Sanford in 2024. Hairston was one of the best junior college players in the nation in 2024, and was committed to the University of Kentucky.
* Nathan Blasick was the final former Florida Leaguer selected in the 20-round draft, as the Colorado Rockies made him their 19th round selection. Although Blasick focused mostly on hitting with the 2023 Sanford River Rats, the Pennsylvania native was drafted as a pitcher after striking out 40 hitters in 34.1 innings this spring for the New Orleans Privateers.
Additionally, five Florida League alumni signed free agent contracts in the week following the Draft:
* Myles Caba finally made his return to the field during the 2024 season, striking out 46 hitters in 33.2 innings for the Miami Hurricanes. Caba pitched for the Leesburg Lightning when the Bolts finally ended their championship drought in 2021, striking out 26 hitters in 19.1 innings. A Prospect Games selection during his Florida League season, Caba signed a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
* Even after the Florida League season ends, the news continues! Victor Diaz, a Hagerty High School graduate, former standout at Seminole State and a star for the 2023 Orlando Snappers, on the mound, has signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The right-hander made one start in his 15 appearances in 2023, including pitching for the Prospect Team and the East All-Stars, posting a 2.45 ERA while going 0-0 with two saves. He threw 22 innings, allowing 10 runs, six earned, on 12 hits with 10 bases on balls and 23 strike outs.
* Alec Makarewicz's Florida League history goes back nearly two decades, when he served as a bat boy on teams coached by his father, Scott. The Lake Brantley High School graduate carved his own FCSL history in 2020 as a member of the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs. Makarewicz helped NC State to the College World Series during his fifth season of college baseball, capped by signing as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox.
* Tony Rossi spent three seasons in the Florida League, and was a major contributor to Sanford's most recent championship in 2020. The Lake Mary High School graduate was a consistent bullpen arm for UNC Charlotte during the 2024 season, striking out 68 hitters in 44 innings. Rossi will continue his baseball career as a free agent signee with the New York Yankees.
* Jacob Stretch helped the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs to the Florida League title in 2022, serving as one of the team's top relief pitchers. Stretch, who completed his college career at Virginia Tech, struck out 33 hitters over 17.1 innings for head coach Terry Abbott. Stretch will start his professional journey as a member of the Baltimore Orioles organization.
The Florida League congratulates all of these players on their achievements, and wish them all the best of luck on the start of their professional journeys.
McDaniel signs with San Francisco Giants
Charlie McDaniel of the Presbyterian College Blue Hose baseball team has been signed as a free agent by the San Francisco Giants.
McDaniel delivered an outstanding performance during his 2024 senior season with the Blue Hose. He made 15 starts on the mound, pitching 92.1 innings. During this time, he achieved a 3.80 ERA with 86 strikeouts and a 7-1 record, holding batters to just 39 earned runs and a .250 batting average. He recorded seven or more strikeouts in five different games, highlighted by two games with 10 punches each. The Sanford, Florida native earned a place on the league's First Team All-Conference and was also recognized on the All-Academic squad.
Over his four years at Presbyterian College, McDaniel posted impressive numbers and broke multiple records. He recorded 56 starts, giving him the program's all-time career record for most starts as a Blue Hose pitcher. During his time on the mound, he struck out 241 batters, ranking him fourth all-time. He also secured 22 wins while allowing just 181 earned runs.
During his 2021 freshman season, McDaniel helped the team earn their first-ever Big South Championship Title. During the first game of the tournament the team faced the No. 1 seed Campbell where McDaniel started on the mound. He stayed for six innings where he threw six strikeouts while allowing batters only two hits and one run. He was named to the league's All-Tournament team for his impressive performance throughout the team's championship run.
Was a part of Seminole High School’s 2019 Florida High School 9A State Championship team…tossed a complete game shutout in Florida High School State Championship…McDaniel had a 1.55 ERA and a 7-3 record throughout the 2019 season…Named to All-Area third team…Florida High School Coaches Association All-State…All-Conference Honorable mention.
Vespi signs with Baltimore Orioles
Former UCF right-handed pitcher Ben Vespi has signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
Vespi becomes the third Knight to sign an MLB contract in 2024, as fellow right-handed pitchers Najer Victor and Chase Centala were drafted by the Angels (14th round) and Marlins (20th round), respectively, a couple of weeks ago.
Vespi, who is from Boynton Beach, led the Black and Gold on the mound in 2024 in starts, innings pitched, and strikeouts. He went 4-4 overall with a 4.62 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 78.0 innings pitched. He also limited opponents to a .267 average and was UCF’s Friday night starter.
A four-year letterwinner and three-year starting pitcher for the Knights, Vespi earned first team All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2022 and Preseason All-AAC accolades in 2023. He also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team honors in 2024. He leaves UCF ranked ninth in the program’s record books in career appearances (76) and 10th in strikeouts (222).
Vespi joins his older brother Nick Vespi in the Orioles organization. Nick is a left-handed pitcher and currently plays with the Norfolk Tides at Triple-A. Nick has been up at the Major League level with the Orioles in each of the last three seasons.
