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Possible Future Mets First Baseman, Is Still Only In High School

By Fan Shot

March 28, 2014 No comments

Dash Winningham

On Friday March 21st, I had the opportunity to watch a baseball game that included two High School players who are on the Mets radar. Initially our own Executive Editor David Conde, wrote a post on one of the players, Dash Winningham, who is a standout first baseman and happens to attend the very high school where my son and daughter graduated from, in Ocala, Fl.

Winningham, who is a left handed first baseman and senior at Trinity Catholic High School, is committed to play baseball at Florida Gulf Coast University. I had never seen him play and was very anxious to catch a glimpse of him first-hand to see for myself, what the Met scouts seemed to be excited about.

My first appearance of Winningham, was that he appeared to be a very easy going and a mature young man. I asked him what he thought about his future in baseball, “I see myself as the future First Baseman of the New York Mets and I realize there would be a lot of pressure playing in New York but I believe I am up to the challenge,” says the confident lefty.  

At this point he has not made up his mind about attending FGCU or if he would rather just be drafted and signed by either the Mets or any other major league ball club. But he loves baseball and just wants to play.

Winningham is enjoying a very good start to this season at Trinity and so far he is batting .379, with six doubles, three home runs, one being a grand slam, and 17 RBI’s with a .632 OBP. Last Friday night, I noticed that he had average speed, which he showed when he hustled down the line on every ball he hit; a quick bat that posses a strong and powerful swing; and a good glove, which he showcased by making several nice plays at first base.

He has a very good eye at the plate and goes deep into the count and was rewarded in the game with a walk and a single that drove in two runs. I was very impressed and if it all comes together for him, he appears to have a future in professional baseball.

While watching the game, I saw another player who has also gained some interest from the Mets.

Brandon Reitz, a sophomore pitcher with Trinity, and who throws a 91 miles per hour fastball, pitched five innings allowing one run and looked in complete control. His fastball exploded into the strike zone and he had a very good breaking ball. In a couple of years, I can see this kid being something special.

Reitz is special and I believe he is an up and coming star,” says Coach Tommy Bond.

I spoke with the parents of both these talented young men and they are very proud and excited and have high hopes for their children.

The parents also have had contact with Met scouts and hope their sons are drafted by the team they favor the most. Reitz still has a way to go, but it appears that after school ends, Winningham will make a decision as to where he will continue to play baseball.

Coach Tommy Bond, who has a team full of talented players, has done a tremendous job in preparing them for this season and how they go about their jobs on the field, is reminiscent to how a professional baseball team approaches a game.

I expect this team to go far into the playoffs and hopefully end up with a State Championship.  More to come…..

(Photo Credit – Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner)

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