SBLive's 2023 all-state Florida baseball team: Marjory Stoneman’s Christian Rodriguez pitcher leads the way

The 2023 high school baseball season was filled with tremendous moments and spectacular performances on both an individual and team level in the Sunshine State.

Some players built off their dominant seasons from the year before and made the list in back-to-back seasons while others had true breakout years making a name for themselves.

Here is SBLive's all-state baseball team in the state of Florida for the spring of 2023. 

Our guiding criteria:

1. Individual performance and accolades.

2. Success of team held considerable weight in selections.

3. A player was only eligible at one position.

SBLIVE’S 2023 ALL-STATE BASEBALL TEAM

Pitcher: Christian Rodriguez, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Sr. (7A) 

The University of Florida commitment will likely be a draftee when Major League Baseball’s 2023 draft rolls around. For his senior campaign, Rodriguez was one of the dominant pitchers in the country. The pitcher went 12-0 with a 0.69 earned run average and 117 strikeouts in helping lead the Eagles to the Class 7A state championship. 

Pitcher: Caden McDonald, Sickles, Sr. (6A) 

Get you someone who can do it on the mound and at the plate. That’s what McDonald brought to the Gryphons on a nightly basis as he provided a pop at the plate and shutdown pitching on the mound. The University of Florida commit went 11-1 on the mound with a stellar 0.87 ERA and 97 strikeouts. McDonald at the plate belted 12 home runs, drove in 33 RBI’s and batted .383. 

Catcher: Jack Kuzmicki, Oak Hall, Sr. (2A) 

The senior catcher made sure he he provided a strong bat at the plate and a steady glove for pitchers. Kuzmicki had a fielding percentage just under .900 with the catcher batting an impressive .591 with 39 hits, 47 runs driven in, three home runs and nine doubles. 

Infielder: Matthew Ossenfort, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Sr. (7A)

Playing a major role for the Class 7A state champions, Ossenfort went out with a bang. The first baseman had one of the most feared bats when he stepped up to the plate for the Eagles. The Vanderbilt signee batted .392 with 10 home runs, 35 runs driven in and seven doubles. 

Infielder: Arjun Nimmala, Strawberry Crest, Sr. (7A)

The shortstop was as good as they come on the diamond for the Chargers, with the Florida State commitment only committing four errors all season long. At the plate, Nimmala was solid with a .479 average, six home runs, 29 runs driven in, 30 runs, seven doubles and three triples. 

Infielder: Collin Priest, Mount Dora Christian, Sr. (2A) 

A University of Michigan commit, Priest was as solid at the plate as he was in fielding between first and third base. Priest’s bat was one of the most potent in the state, batting .417 with 11 home runs, 26 runs driven in and 36 runs. Only committed three errors through 27 games. 

Infielder: Jake Mueller, Island Coast, Sr. (5A) 

In the last two seasons for the Gators, Mueller has blasted 15 home runs and 77 RBI’s between 60 games played. The University of Alabama signee had himself a sensational 2023 season, batting .410 at the plate with seven home runs and 44 runs driven in. Mueller had 111 putouts and just five errors through 29 games. 

Outfielder: Jordan Rich, Plantation American Heritage, So. (5A) 

Playing for the Class 5A state champion Patriots, Rich may have not been a power hitter but he did a little bit of everything exceptionally well. Rich, a sophomore, batted .414 with 16 runs driven in with 36 hits, 38 runs and stole 17 bases along with zero fielding errors this past spring. 

Outfielder: Sean Gamble, IMG Academy, So. (IND)

The Ascenders’ outfielder was one of the top players for one of the best teams in the country. Gamble only committing four errors all season long along with batting .367 at the plate with seven home runs, 24 RBI’s, 23 runs scored, five stolen bases, three doubles on 22 hits. 

Outfielder: JP Pennella, Land O’ Lakes, Sr. (6A)

The Gators’ outfielder was one of the top players on the North Suncoast all season long and finished his high school career out strong. The University of South Florida commit had no error in the outfield along with a .441 batting average, five home runs, 31 runs driven in, 46 runs scored on 45 hits. 

Outfielder: Kody Daneault, St. Johns Country Day, Jr. (2A) 

Daneault was instrumental in helping the Spartans reach the Class 2A state championship game against Lakeland Christian. The outfielder batted an impressive .473 in 117 plate appearances, 44 hits, 36 runs, nine doubles and stole 15 bases. 

Utility: Liam Peterson, Clearwater Calvary Christian, Sr. (3A)

Peterson, a left-handed pitcher, was one of the main cogs for the Warriors en route to winning the Class 3A state championship. The University of Florida commit went 5-2 on the mound with a 1.78 ERA and 73 strikeouts. At the plate, Peterson batted .484 with five home runs, 43 RBI’s and 10 doubles. 

Utility: Adrian Santana, Doral Academy, Sr. (3A)

All around baseball player could do just about anything for the Firebirds on the diamond. From playing more of his natural position at shortstop to anywhere in the infield, Santana was the definition of utility. The senior batted .360 with 11 home runs, 30 runs driven in on 36 hits. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.