Vote: Who is the 2A/3A/4A 2024 South Florida Baseball Pitcher of the Year?

Here are 18 candidates for your voting consideration

Cardinal Gibbons pitcher Brenden Trujillo records the final out in the Florida Class 4A state baseball championship game, delivering a 4-1 win over South Walton. / Joe Frisaro

Pitching was at a premium in South Florida. 

Many of the top teams had starters throwing 90 plus mph, as well as having strong secondary pitches. 

Now with the baseball season in the books, it’s time to vote for the best of the best. Since there are so many deserving position players and pitchers, we’re breaking the voting down by classifications and positions. 

This week, we’re honoring the top pitchers in Classes 2A, 3A and 4A. Last week, we recognized the top position players. Next, we’ll do the same for position players and pitchers in Classes 5A, 6A and 7A. 

Reminder, our polls are intended to be fun, while providing recognition to as many players/pitchers and schools as possible. Vote as often as you’d like, and help us spread the word. Voting ends July 15th, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Our top pitching candidates in Classes 2A, 3A, 4A are as follows:

Lazaro Collera, RHP, Westminster Christian: Ranked among the top 10 pitchers in the state, Collera is a Miami commit who also has a chance to be taken in the early rounds of the MLB Draft. With a 95-98 mph fastball, the right-hander went 10-2 with a 2.27 ERA for Westminster Christian, which lost to North Broward Prep in the Class 3A finals.

Jeffred Fermin, RHP, Miami Christian: In the Victors’ Class 2A state semifinals victory over The First Academy Orlando, Fermin gave up one run with five strikeouts in five innings. 

Kaden Foran, RHP, Calvary Christian Academy: Possessing a plus slider, Foran struck out 58 in 59 innings. The senior had a 9-0 record and 2.02 ERA.

Michael Gine, LHP, Chaminade-Madonna: The junior left-hander impressed with a 1.39 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings

Mateo Gray, RHP, North Broward Prep: Named Max Preps’ Player of the Year in Florida, Gray did it all for the Eagles. On the mound, the University of Central Florida commit gave up one run in seven innings in North Broward Prep’s 4-1 win over Bishop Verot in the Class 3A state semifinals. In the title game, the senior belted a homer. As a pitcher, Gray went 11-0 with a 0.83 ERA.

Aaron Hernandez, LHP, Westminster Christian: A sophomore who took on a major role for the Warriors, Hernandez went 7-2 (2.48 ERA) in 13 appearances. Hernandez started in the title game against North Broward Prep.

Mike Kass, RHP, Cardinal Gibbons: After missing all of 2023 with a right arm injury, Kass emerged as one of the top right-handers in the state. Committed to UCF, Kass was 7-0 (1.17 ERA) on the Chiefs’ 2024 Class 4A state championship team. 

Nikolas Koorse, RHP, North Broward Prep: Koorse drew the Class 3A state championship game assignment, won by North Broward Prep, against Westminster Christian. In 5 1/3 innings, the right-hander gave up three runs. He was 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA for the season.

Joe Hendren, RHP, Pompano Beach: In 12 appearances, Hendren was 6-2 with a 3.41 ERA.

Max McCawley, RHP, Pine Crest: As a freshman, McCawley paced the team in innings with 29, and he struck out 22, while posting a 3.38 ERA.

Jake Pearcy, RHP, Palmer Trinity: Logging a team-high 48 innings, Pearcy went 8-3 with a 3.41 ERA.

Jeuri La Rosa, RHP, Mater Lakes Academy: La Rosa went 5-2 with a 3.55 ERA, and paced his team with 45 1/3 innings. 

Miguel Moreda, RHP, Sagemont: For the Lions, Moreda went 6-0 (4.12 ERA) in 12 appearances. 

Landon Petty, RHP, NSU University: A junior, Petty stepped up and went 9-2, and boasted a  2.03 ERA in 62 innings. 

Tevvy Rabinowitz, RHP, NSU University: Rabinowitz boasted an 8-0 record and 0.85 ERA in 41 1/3 innings.

Braden Rosenthal, RHP, Calvary Christian Academy: A junior who also made an impact as a first baseman, Rosenthal posted a 1.49 ERA, and often drew the top competition on the roster.

Brenden Trujillo, RHP, Cardinal Gibbons: Pitching was the foundation of the Chiefs’ Class 4A state championship season. Trujillo drew the state title assignment and gave up one run in seven innings in a win over South Walton. The junior had a 1.52 ERA.

Marcelo Young, RHP, Coral Springs Charter: Closing out his senior season, Young was 4-0 with a 4.05 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings.