2026 Florida Diamond Notes: Week 8
April 8, 2026
Welcome to Florida Diamond Notes. Each week, we shine a spotlight on exceptional high school baseball performances across the state, nominated by their coaches. From standout position players to dominant pitchers and versatile two-way players, we celebrate the best performances of the week. A heartfelt thank you to the many high school coaches who submitted nominations this week. Your contributions make this feature possible. Let’s dive into the highlights and honor the talent on display!
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Diamond Notes: Week 8
Hitters
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Wyatt Cantella OF / LHP / St John Paul Ii Catholic High School, FL / 2028Cantella put together a highly efficient 4-for-6 week, driving in two runs with the help of a double while also stealing a base and drawing a walk. |
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Preston Cole SS / 2B / St Johns Country Day, FL / 2027Cole was a steady presence in the lineup, collecting six hits, including a double and a walk across 11 at-bats while scoring a run and stealing a base. |
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Jonel Lluveras RHP / South Dade Senior High School, FL / 2027Lluveras went 3-for-4 at the dish while swiping five bags and scoring twice. |
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Jordan Martinez SS / 2B / Trinity Christian Academy (JAX), FL / 2026Martinez had a strong week, going 5-for-7 with three extra-base hits, including a homer, and driving in nine runs. |
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Tison McCray RHP / OF / Columbia, FL / 2026McCray showcased power this week, launching three home runs to drive in five runs while collecting five hits and drawing a pair of walks. |
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Jonathan Paniagua 1B / OF / Miami Southridge Senior High, FL / 2026Paniagua stuffed the stat sheet, going 6-for-8 with two doubles, a triple, and a home run while driving in six runs, scoring seven times, and wreaking havoc with six stolen bases. |
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Yaden Rivera 1B / 3B / Barbara Goleman Senior High, FL / 2029Rivera enjoyed a productive week at the plate, going 5-for-7 with a double, a run scored, and a walk. |
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Xavier Román-Giannuzzi SS / 3B / Windermere High, FL / 2027Roman did major damage when he made contact, going 3-for-6 with a home run, five RBIs, and a walk. |
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Javier Santana RHP / SS / John Paul II Catholic, FL / 2026Santana was dialed in at the plate, collecting five hits in just six at-bats while crossing the plate twice. |
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Jackson Skinner C / Branford High School, FL / 2026Skinner made the most of his contact this week, as both of his hits were home runs that helped him rack up six RBIs, two runs, and three walks in six at-bats. |
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Mason Stout RHP / 1B / Indian Rocks Christian School, FL / 2027Stout knocked in four runs during his time at the plate, tallying four hits in eight at-bats and drawing a walk. |
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Jhonny Vasquez SS / RHP / Florida Virtual School Flex 9-12, FL / 2027Vasquez had a big week, with eight hits, which included five doubles, a triple, and a home run to drive in eight runs, score eight times, and steal three bases. |
Pitchers
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Ethan Bissell RHP / SS / St Johns Country Day, FL / 2027Bissell turned in a strong six-inning performance, striking out 10 batters and limiting the damage to just one run on five hits. |
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Pedro Castillo RHP / SS / PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL, FL / 2028Castillo overpowered opposing hitters over seven strong innings to pick up a win, racking up 12 strikeouts and allowing zero earned runs on just two hits. |
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Carter Cox LHP / OF / VENICE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2026Cox tossed a nine-inning masterpiece, striking out a staggering 16 batters while throwing a flawless no-hitter with zero walks. |
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Joey Lawson RHP / 3B / Bishop Verot, FL / 2026Lawson fired nine shutout innings, scattering three hits and striking out 10 while allowing only one free pass. |
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Jonel Lluveras RHP / South Dade Senior High School, FL / 2027Lloveras earned a win on the mound with six scoreless innings, two hits allowed, and six strikeouts. |
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Xavier Román-Giannuzzi SS / 3B / Windermere High, FL / 2027Roman pitched six perfect innings to easily secure a victory, retiring every batter he faced and striking out five without allowing a hit or a walk. |
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Nolan Slaymaker RHP / 1B / Columbia, FL / 2028Slaymaker grinded through 6.2 innings, striking out eight and allowing zero earned runs despite a pair of unearned runs crossing the plate. |
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Mason Stout RHP / 1B / Indian Rocks Christian School, FL / 2027Stout earned a victory with five quality innings of work, racking up nine strikeouts without issuing a single walk. |
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Christopher Vasallo RHP / RHP / DORAL ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2027Vasallo secured a win with six dominant, scoreless innings, allowing just a single hit and striking out 10 without issuing a walk. |
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Kyler Williamson SS / RHP / Branford High School, FL / 2027Williamson took a tough-luck no-decision after dealing six scoreless innings, yielding just four hits and punching out nine. |
Upcoming Events
| Showcase | State | Date | Location |
| Tallahassee Summer ID | FL | 05/26 | Tallahassee State College - Tallahassee, FL |
| Tallahassee Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 05/26 | Tallahassee State College - Tallahassee, FL |
| East Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 06/02 | Cacti Park - West Palm Beach, FL |
| Tampa Summer ID | FL | 06/03 | Saint Leo University - Saint Leo, FL |
| Tampa Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/03 | Saint Leo University - Saint Leo, FL |
| Bradenton Summer ID | FL | 06/10 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Bradenton Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/10 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Fort Myers Summer ID | FL | 06/16 | Bishop Verot - Fort Myers, FL |
| Fort Myers Rising Stars ID (2030-2031Grads) | FL | 06/16 | Bishop Verot - Fort Myers, FL |
| West Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 06/23 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Gulf Coast Summer ID | FL | 06/23 | Orange Beach Sportsplex - Orange Beach, AL |
| Gulf Coast Rising Stars ID | FL | 06/23 | Orange Beach Sportsplex - Orange Beach, AL |
| Miami Summer ID | FL | 06/24 | Doral Academy - Doral, FL |
| Miami Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/24 | Doral Academy - Doral, FL |
| Jacksonville Summer ID | FL | 06/30 | Jacksonville University - Jacksonville, FL |
| Jacksonville Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/30 | Jacksonville University - Jacksonville, FL |
| Orlando Summer ID | FL | 07/07 | The First Academy - Orlando, FL |
| Orlando Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 07/07 | The First Academy - Orlando, FL |
| Savannah Summer ID | FL | 07/07 | Benedictine Military School - Savannah, GA |
| Savannah Rising Stars ID (2030 & 2031 Grads) | FL | 07/07 | Benedictine Military School - Savannah, GA |
| Clearwater Summer ID | FL | 07/14 | Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL |
| Clearwater Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 07/14 | Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL |
| Senior Future Games (Class of 2027) | NATIONAL | 07/21 | LakePoint Sports |
| Future Games (Class of 2028) | NATIONAL | 07/22 | LakePoint Sports |
| Junior Future Games (Class of 2030/31) | NATIONAL | 07/23 | LakePoint Sports |
| 2026 Southeast Super Sophomore Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 08/01 | LakePoint Sports - Cartersville, GA |