High School showdown draws 60 scouts as Calvary upends IMG
The anticipated prep showdown between Calvary Christian Academy and IMG Academy lived up to the billing of high-end prep talent. Perhaps 10 future big leaguers and many more future college players were on the field Friday.
By Joe Frisaro @ManOn2nd
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — “Game of the Year, Part II” lived up to the hype.
Calvary Christian Academy, behind the power pitching of Irv Carter and Andrew Painter, defeated IMG Academy, 8-2, gaining revenge after losing about a week ago, 2-0, at IMG.
This two-game set is arguably the biggest high school showdown in the country. It certainly is in the state of Florida, with two prep powerhouses clashing. About 60 scouts attended.
Man On Second Baseball, which is about all things Florida-related baseball, was on hand.
What caught our eye immediately was the size and skill levels of these elite athletes, with just about everyone on the field already committed to a college. Many will be selected in the MLB Draft, including Painter, a projected first-rounder.
Rangy IMG right fielder, James Wood, is a left-handed hitting slugger, who also could go in the first round.
Painter is a University of Florida commit, and Wood has committed to Mississippi State. Whether either steps on campus is another question, because pro ball is expected to be calling.
MO2’s (Man On Second) spotlight player of the game was Elijah Green, who had an RBI single and a double to deep center, for IMG. A junior, Green is listed at 6-3, 220 pounds, and his skills just jump at you. If he keeps tracking as he is, he projects to be a high first-rounder in the 2022 MLB Draft.
On Friday, he showed some fierce swings, and was not blown away by high velocity, which is all IMG saw.
He had an RBI single of Irv Carter, a University of Miami commit. And in the seventh inning, he doubled off Painter.
For perspective, Carter, who is a presence on the mound with his attack-mode, mentality, had his fastball in the 92-96 mph range. He mixed in an 83 mph slider and 86 mph changeup. Carter worked the first five innings.
Painter polished off the final two innings. Listed at 6-7, 230-pounds, Painter’s fastball was 94-98 mph, and it sat mostly at 96. He flashed some off-speed as well, a 75 mph curveball, 84 mph slider and 86 mph changeup.
Calvary’s offense got to IMG lefty Mason Albright, a Virginia Tech commit. The left-hander wasn’t at his sharpest.
Johnny Lane of Calvary had a big day at the plate, with two doubles, and jump-started the offense early.
Calvary’s catcher Rene Lastres is a presence behind and at the plate. The University of Florida commit, is highly active and is a standout defensively. He’s listed at 6-3, 210 pounds, and his receiving skills are elite for his level.
IMG was the ranked No. 1 in the country heading into the game.
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