Becoming a big leaguer is the dream of so many high school baseball players.

In a talent-rich state like Florida, it often becomes a reality with so many from the Sunshine State populating the Major Leagues. Then, you add in those in the Minor Leagues, while others are currently playing baseball in college.

The 2025 high school class has its share of players who have already committed or signed with colleges. Many of those same players are also drawing the attention of MLB area scouts.

One example is True North Classical Academy’s Alan Soler, who is committed to Central Florida. The left-handed pitcher, according to some sources, also could be selected in the top few rounds in this year’s MLB Draft.

High School on SI has been covering the action in South Florida, and for this story we list 12 players who are considered “under-the-radar” draft possibilities. Since, Soler is projected to be taken early (assuming he is healthy), the lefty will not be on this particular list. Dylan Dubovik, outfielder/pitcher, at American Heritage Plantation is another player who has attracted interest from scouts. He, too, isn’t being noted among our “under the radar” possibilities.

A dozen “under the radar” draft possibilities:

Until recently, the smooth-fielding shortstop wasn’t receiving much, if any, attention from colleges and area scouts. Slowly the word is getting out, and it’s easy to see why. Perez can hit, run, field, and is extremely athletic. Keep an eye on the this Dade Christian club. They’ve got players.

A two-sport standout, Rich gave up football in his senior season, focusing exclusively on baseball. The left-handed hitting center fielder is a speedster, and is a pure hitter, who has an excellent feel for the strike zone. What he has yet to show is power, which likely will emerge at the next level.

A South Florida recruit, Geiger is a left-handed hitting catcher who also can play first base. You want his bat in the lineup. In recent days, Gulf Coast played in South Florida, and Geiger absolutely smoked some balls against Nova. The next day, the senior had three hits at NSU University, including two doubles.

Another toolsy shortstop, Paredes is committed to Florida International. Hitting more than .400 on the season, with a home run, Paredes could find himself making a decision on whether to sign professionally over the summer.

Catching is aways in high demand, and Garcia checks all the boxes of what pro teams are seeking from those playing the position. The Florida International recruit is terrific defensively, demonstrates leadership and handles pitchers well. At the plate, he’s got a quick bat and has the ability to drive the ball out of the park.

In the first half, a strong case can be made that Malvasio has been the best position player in Broward County. The Central Florida recruit has demonstrated tremendous power, hammering out eight home runs. Defensively, he’s shown he can handle right field, and he’s been used to close out games.

A leader and catalyst on a strong Taravella team, Martinez bats leadoff. He’s got a quick bat and shows plenty of power. Defensively, he can handle all three outfield spots.

College may ultimately be the call for Beyra, but the right-hander has opened eyes since his fastball was clocked in the 94-96 mph range. More and more scouts are finding their way to Western when Beyra is on the mound.

Another athletic middle infielder who has shown the ability to knock the ball out of the park. Colmenares has four home runs, and plays solid defense. The senior also has shown the ability to slow the game down, and he even does some pitching. The senior has tremendous upside.  

Another former football player, Pomper continues to emerge as one of the best players in South Florida. The left-handed hitting catcher is batting a whopping .559 with eight doubles, and continues to improve behind the plate. Pomper is committed to Jacksonville.

Word is starting to spread that Gonzalez has a chance to get drafted. The right-hander’s fastball has touched the low 90s mph, which has drawn scouts to see him pitch. Against tough competition, he’s performed, and he’s sporting a 1.62 ERA.

At 6-foot-4, 200-pounds, Graulau possesses size, speed and power. The South Florida commit runs a 6.4-second, 60-yard dash. On the mound, the right-hander’s fastball has been clocked 93 mph.  

• Florida lawmakers are proposing a bill that would fine drivers who use the far-left lane for anything other than passing.
• The bill, which is similar to one vetoed by Governor DeSantis last year, aims to improve traffic flow and safety on highways.
• The bill includes exceptions for emergency vehicles, road hazards, and specific traffic conditions.

Heads up, drivers. Florida’s left-lane bill is back.

Last year, the Florida Legislature passed a law that would fine anyone using the far-left lane on roads with speed limits of 65 mph or more for anything besides passing other vehicles, with some exceptions. But Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it, saying the language was too broad and could lead to people being unnecessarily pulled over.

“In addition, the bill could potentially increase congestion in Florida’s urban areas as drivers may decide to not utilize the furthest left-hand lane at all for fear of being ticketed,” DeSantis said.

In February, the sponsor of the last bill, Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, filed HB 351, a virtually identical bill with a bit more clarification. Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, filed an identical bill, SB 636.

“All of us who travel back and forth to Tallahassee experience frustration on the major highways and frustration caused by drivers impeding the flow of traffic in the left lane,” Persons-Mulicka said last year. “This creates a dangerous situation, when drivers unnecessarily camp out in the left lane. It leads to blocking traffic flow, less predictability, more encounters, more passing maneuvers and more opportunities for accidents.”

Current Florida law already prohibits drivers from using the left lane unless they are passing a slower-moving vehicle, directed to by authorities or required to by conditions. The bill defines what a left-hand lane is as far as the law is concerned and specifies exactly under what conditions left-hand lane use is allowed.

Over 84% of Florida drivers admit to misusing the left lane, according to legal firm Anidjar & Levine. There were 12,970 tickets issued for it in 2024, according to the firm, and each one carried a maximum fine of $75 and 3 points on your license. But enforcement was moderate, the firm said in an email.

The firm examined state laws on left-lane driving and found that the severity of the punishments and the inconsistency of their enforcement can be a problem. The strictest state was Virginia, where misusing the left lane can mean up to $2,500 in fines and potential jail time.

What is HB 351? Does it ban driving in the left lane in Florida?

Under the proposed bill, drivers would be prohibited from driving in the far left-hand lane or a roadway with two or more lanes and a posted speed limit of at least 65 mph unless:

• You are overtaking and passing another vehicle
• You’re about to exit the road, street or highway
• You’ve been directed to by law enforcement or an official traffic control device
• New this year: You’re required to do so due to the approach or presence of an authorized emergency vehicle, sanitation or utility service vehicle, wrecker, road and bridge maintenance or construction vehicle, or the presence of a disabled motor vehicle
• New this year: Environmental or traffic conditions dictate it

This does not apply to emergency, maintenance or construction vehicles, and drivers would still be permitted to use the left lane to avoid obstructions in the road.

Under this year’s version of the bill, the Department of Transportation will designate the areas of roadways where the law applies and install signage letting motorists know about it.

When would Florida’s left-lane law take effect?

If it passes the legislature and the governor doesn’t veto this one, HB 545 would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Vittoria Blasigh scored 20 points, Carla Brito added 17 and No. 3-seed South Florida defeated Rice 69-62 on Wednesday night to win the American Athletic Conference championship.

The Bulls will return to the NCAA tournament after a one-year absence. It will be South Florida’s 10th trip to the Big Dance.

South Florida led 47-32 halfway through the third quarter before Malia Fisher scored six points in a 10-4 run that got the defending champion Owls to within 51-42 heading to the fourth quarter.

Ninth-seeded Rice opened the fourth with another four points and held USF scoreless for nearly four minutes. At that point, Mama Dembele scored twice in the paint to put the Bulls back up by nine.

Fisher scored in the paint to get Rice to within 62-57 with 40 seconds left, then the Bulls closed out the win by making 7 of 8 free throws.

Dembele had 13 points and eight assists, and Sammie Puisis scored 12 points for the Bulls (23-10). Blasigh had six rebounds plus three assists, and Brito contributed nine rebounds and three assists. South Florida made 16 of 19 free throws.

Sussy Ngulefac had 19 points, Fisher 17 and Dominique Ennis 14 for Rice (17-17).

Brito scored seven points in the first quarter and Blasigh added five as the Bulls took an 18-12 lead into the second quarter. A three-point play by Blasigh put USF up 27-16 with four minutes left in the half and they went on to lead 37-26 at halftime after she closed the scoring with another jumper. Blasigh and Brito led the way with 12 points each in the first half.

South Florida never trailed and there was one tie at 2-2.