Givens emerges from showcase on top

We already know that Plant rising senior Mychal Givens is one of next year's top professional baseball prospects.

But at a recent showcase event, Givens dazzled onlookers not only as a shortstop, but also as a pitcher.

Givens participated in the Perfect Game National Showcase in Minneapolis earlier this month, emerging from the event as arguably the top prospect out of the 250 players that attended the event.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Givens was ranked the No. 1 position player and the top middle infielder in the draw. But even more impressive was his performance as a pitcher.

He rated as the third-best pitcher in the field after he recorded the highest velocity at the showcase. He was the only pitcher to reach 95 mph on the radar gun (Eight others peaked at 94). He was also praised for his smooth delivery and ability to throw a quality curveball and change up.

Three other Hillsborough County players rated among the top 120 position players: Hillsborough CF David Richardson ranked 60th, Hillsborough C Marlon Mitchell ranked 68th and Plant IF Graham Ramos ranked No. 116. 

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Comments

THEY WON'T EVEN GET PAST DISTRICTS. GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT YOU NEED MORE THEN ONE "DECENT" PITCHER TO WIN JUST HALF YOUR GAMES. PLANT WILL BE A SUB-.500 BALLCLUB NEXT YEAR.

Plant doesn't need anymore talent they have Givens remember???? As a matter of fact, with Givens there, they don't even need the other eight players....just Braun on the sidelines with his hankie to wipe Givens brow if he breaks a sweat.

They won't get a chance to choke this year, cause their going to be garbage since everybody left last year instead of Mychal and Ramos. They had their chance last year and choked in the Regionals. Didn't all you Plant people say you were going to win State easy last off-season. An ya'll choked again. It will be a while before you get a talented club to choke with again. Besides 2 kids, their is no talent at Plant right now.

u got beat by dunedin shut ur mouth. you cant win when it counts and ur sorry team will do the same thing next year.....choke!!!

ok we will see this is 1st time our joke baseball team has made it outta districts in a couple years with talent better than any other team maybe in the state!!
U r retarted

Hey 9:55pm, maybe volleyball, but football? Plant isn't even the best football in Hillsborough County. We know who that is. Plant had "ONE" cinderella year. Plant is "GARBAGE"!!

Coach Santoni ur a soft piece of crap! wer do u coach? The school of the blind? I would love to catch u in an alley and beat the crap out of u! u sure can talk alot on blogs!!! Im sure u saw it 8 years ago. ur a joke

haha i will step in the box proudly! I can take 95 or whatever he throws then beat the crap out of his soft a**! I might even go after that bum of a coach braun after that! FOOTBALL and VOLLEYBALL are the sports at plant NOT Baseball! Maybe it used to be but not anymore

hey coach santoni, what did dunedin do to your precious little mychal? thats what i thought get a job and get off the blogs!

[Sparky Anderson]

Congratulations kid. Like the poster above said, just keep focused and keep your head on straight. Concentrate on being a good student, ball player, and citizen. There is a jack pot waiting for you, but you have to stay the course.

[coach santoni]

All you haters out their step into the box and take one for the team and then lets see how much you run your mouth, after that exchange will you jog to first or leave the game. 88 vs 95 mph get in the box and be the judge just don't blink.

[coach santoni]

I have coached against and watched this young man since he was a catcher for the Tampa Diamonds in AAU 8 years ago. He was talented then and has matured and grown into a Elite National player and comes from a very strong and supportive family his DAD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT SUPPORTER AND ROLE MODEL FOR MYCHAL. And lets not confuse confidence with being cocky. Mychal has succeeded at every level and next season after he is chosen in the first round top 10 pick (my prediction) I will continue to root for him. I believe he has the ability to be one of the greatest baseball players to ever come out of the Tampa area I know the talent is there and if he stays healthy and works hard he could be something special.

[Given's Supporter]

Mychal is the REAL deal. Has been since I can remember, I've known him since he was 8. He's very athletic. I project him as the next Doc Gooden without the abuse of drugs, he's that good and that smart to stay away from stupid things. I think the pros take him as a pitcher vs SS, although he runs like a rabbit to 1st. 1st Round or Supplemental 1st for sure! Mychal's a millionaire come next Jun! Congrats Mychal, stay away from peer pressure this year!

MC Hammer in the making!!!

Hey 9:59..The only problem with that is he is a baseball player and not a football player so get over it. Stop the hating.If you are from PLANT then support the kid and be proud that he is doing so well. I know the kid personally and I have known him for years. He is quite but not cocky. He does not talk about his accomplishments and gets upset when others praise him.

he is a cocky piece of nothing at plant! If he came out for just 1 day of football his ugly face would be rearranged!

Hey haters...don't hate. Not only is the kid great, but he is a great kid. And 95 was 95 not 88 you clown. It's obvious that if your kid was any good you would appreciate hard work and not criticize the potential of others. Get a life!

YES.......IT DOES

does it matter when ur in high school?

95 at perfect game means 88