Palm Beach Central baseball hoping to overcome injuries, return to playoffs in 2024

Districts, regionals and beyond are well over a month away for Florida's high school baseball teams. However, the thought of the 2024 postseason has been eating away at the Broncos of Palm Beach Central High since last May.

For the first time since 2016 − with the exception of a pandemic-modified 2020 season − Central didn't make the cut for what's traditionally been a deep run in the 7A state playoff series.

If you only judged Central by its 4-3 record and not the story behind it, it could seem like this spring will offer a similar, bitter ending. However, if you've followed the Broncos before, you know this is nothing new, and so does Central coach Tony Gullo.

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"We don't start early like some do," Gullo told The Palm Beach Post. "Our coaches are blue collar and we want our players to be blue collar players."

In an interview with the Post last Friday, Palm Beach Central grad-turned-lead batter for Florida State Cam Smith agreed, living proof that the patience and "professionalism" instilled by Gullo and company often pays off for a Bronco.

"We have high expectations for our players and the amount of info is overwhelming. This is why we usually compete better later in the season," Gullo said. "Unfortunately, with MaxPreps deciding who goes to regionals, this players against teams like us. Plus, our early season injuries don't help."

On Friday, Central will travel to Jupiter to meet the Warriors for the first time since last year's season-ending 11-3 district championship loss in hopes of staking revenge.

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A dub would make Central's second statement victory in 2024 since shutting down 7A state semifinalist Park Vista, 1-0, last Friday to head into this week with a winning record.

"Friday was a very competitive performance by junior Charlie Houd! Senior William Mencho battled and got the save. We managed to score a run in the first inning and hold on," Gullo said.

Facing 22 batters, Houd threw three strikeouts in six innings.

Coming off of a 6-5 tournament loss to rival Cardinal Newman last Friday, a gritty King's Academy team (3-4) is on deck to make the trip to Central on Tuesday.

The Lions could find themselves dealt a bitter hand though. Central is seeking its first win in Bronco territory after suffering a slashing from Alabama state champion Vestavia Hills in last week's home opener, which arguably inspired the following upset at Vista.

Of course, Gullo and his players will still be battling the issues that've contributed to some tough defeats this spring.

One of Central's "better arms" remains benched with tendinitis, although Gullo's hope is that the player is tossing soon. This week, another arm will be out of the state due to extenuating circumstances.

Top-hitting junior Christian Mair, who's batting .500 this season, has been limited due to a "severely sprained ankle" and couldn't even attend last week's game against Vestavia because of "swelling."

Almost positive that this is the "worst health situation" he's seen in nearly four decades of coaching, Gullo said when he looks at the lineup card for subs, "most everyone is injured or just recently cleared and not up to game speed yet."

"We are left with no other choice than the next man up mentality," he said.

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Central does have a key figure back behind the plate this week.

Slade Wayne is navigating his sophomore year with the Broncos after his first varsity season as the team's only freshman last spring. This season, Central fields three starting freshmen: pitcher Camden McFadden, shortstop Gabrian Diaz, and leftfielder Kieran Rivera.

"He's got a great foundation and baseball mind. He works hard, understands the game, and projects well," Gullo said of Wayne.

Supported by the 16 year-old's Perfect Game grade of 9 − defined as a "Potential top 10 round pick and/or highest level college prospect" − Gullo remarked that Wayne has "a ton of upside."

The 16 year-old has the measurables early, weighing in at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, a standout for his athleticism, accuracy, and ability to produce just about anywhere on the field. This year, he's focusing on upping his offensive game and staying disciplined.

"Being a freshman on varsity last year, I learned to trust in myself and be confident at the plate hitting and behind the plate catching. The biggest thing I've been working on is hunting for my pitch at the plate and trying not to chase as much compared to last year," Wayne said.

Of course, this spring is a little different for Wayne without now-graduated seniors like David Urrutia and Hector Camacho on the mound, and a younger, less-tenured arsenal instead.

"At first it was hard because both Hector and Omar were some of our best arms and it was tough losing them," Wayne said, adding he's "looking forward" to catching "top arms" in sophomore Gavin Batallan, senior Alex Garcia, along with Houd and McFadden for this year and those to come.

Knowing that the Broncos have World Series champion and Central alum Brad Peacock as their pitching coach certainly helps one to trust the process.

"This season, we have a very young and talented team," Wayne said.

"I would love to grow and develop together as one."

Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Young and hopeful Palm Beach Central team eyeing return to playoffs