Who are the top Treasure Coast-area baseball players to watch during the 2024 season?

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play.

Prep baseball teams have gotten back into the swing of things as the 2024 season commenced this last week. The first day of the FHSAA's regular season was President's Day.

Of the squads that call the Treasure Coast home, three will try to defend their district titles: St. Lucie West Centennial, John Carroll Catholic and Jensen Beach. A fourth school, Vero Beach, aims to make a return trip to the state playoffs following a 20-win campaign.

As we enter early March, here are the 15 players expected to make an impact as this season rolls along. With the help of suggestions from area coaches, this list was compiled by the TCPalm sports staff.

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Josh Benefield, Port St. Lucie

Jaguars head coach Howard Taub calls the senior the best catcher he’s coached in his 25-year career. Returning as PSL’s best hitter with a .306 batting average a year ago, Benefield will aid a staff that loses just two players. This season, he will serve as the team’s closer after a junior campaign where he collected 13 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Cody Bennin, Martin County

The junior earned a spot on the All-Area second team last season due to his work on the mound. Through 40 1/3 innings pitched, Bennin put up terrific numbers: 3-3 record, 1.21 ERA, 41 K, 17 BB, .209 OBA. He hasn’t slowed down in 2024 as he tossed five no-hit innings with seven strikeouts and a walk during the Tigers’ season-opener win against Fort Pierce Central.

Taggert Cameron, John Carroll

One season after Tracen Cameron, currently playing for FIU, was selected as TCPalm’s Player of the Year, Taggert Cameron is a two-way developing prospect earning looks from college programs. The 6-foot-4 junior hit .288 with 17 RBIs while tossing 40 2/3 innings on the mound. He struck out 63 batters while giving up just 14 walks.

Cian Copeland, Jensen Beach

Copeland may own the title as the area’s best two-way player. Packing plenty of power behind a smooth left-handed swing, the 6-4, 200-pound third baseman cranked out three home runs to go with nine doubles and a triple last season. He batted .377 with 19 RBIs, 21 runs scored and 17 walks at the plate while posting a 2.82 ERA and 31 strikeouts during 21 1/3 innings on the mound.

Dominic Donatucci, Jensen Beach

Donatucci was one of the best hitters on a Falcons squad that recorded a 20-7 record and claimed a district title. Of the players who had at least 20 plate appearances, the shortstop ranked first in batting average (.403), second in OPS (1.022), tied for second in RBIs (20) and tied for third in hits (29). Donatucci was named to the All-Area second team.

Dylan Fatovich, Jensen Beach

The outfielder was another damaging hitter for the Falcons. Fatovich put up the following numbers from the top of the order: .381 batting average, one home run, seven doubles, one triple, 26 runs and 14 walks. He was also a threat to swipe a bat (10 SB) while not committing an error in 26 chances in center field.

Finley Holmes, Vero Beach

Holmes was as versatile as he was productive according to Indians head coach Bryan Rahal. “Finley did a little of everything last year,” Rahal said. The outfielder/right-handed pitcher hit .403 with a home run, 20 RBIs and a .535 on-base percentage.

Gavin Kindell, Okeechobee

Many area coaches have identified Kindell as a solid dual-player. And with good reason. He has hit over .300 in each of the last two seasons, including a .333 mark last year as a junior. In 26 innings on the mound, Kindell had a 3.23 ERA with 26 strikeouts.

Colt Miller, John Carroll

Coming off another district title, the Rams replace a plethora of seniors, which allows the sophomore to step up. Miller will take over the role as the No. 1 starter after recording a 1.88 ERA as a freshman. He won his first start as a sophomore after relinquishing just one run on four hits and a walk with strikeouts during the team’s season-opener triumph over Fort Pierce Central.

Cole Morgan, Vero Beach

A team captain, the junior catcher is the “most important player on the team,” according to Rahal. The head coach describes Morgan with the following: “A tough kid who always found a way to get on base. … The team feeds off his leadership on the field.”  As a sophomore, Morgan had a .543 on-base percentage with 20 runs scored.

Dylan Murphy, Martin County

Murphy is another catcher to make this list following a junior season where he hit .350 with six doubles, a triple and posted a .956 fielding percentage. The senior will be the latest person from his family bound for Boca as a FAU commit. Older brother and MCHS alum Tyler Murphy currently pitches for the Owls while father and former big leaguer Tommy Murphy played for FAU from 1998-2000.

Jace Romans, Vero Beach

Only one player drove in more runs for the Indians a year ago than the junior outfielder. Romans had 24 RBIs to go with 24 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. Hitting .328, the outfielder was on base a ton thanks to a .494 OBP and 18 walks.

Imarion Stanberry, South Fork

Stanberry returns to the field fresh off of helping the Bulldogs boys basketball team capture a district title and advance to the regional semifinals. His long arms helped him grab rebounds on the hardwood, but he’ll need largely just his right arm to fan batters at the plate. Opponents batted just .160 against Stanberry, who finished with 17 strikeouts and 2.44 ERA.

Chase Wilson, Vero Beach

The area RBI leader in 2023 is back to drive in more runs in 2023. The author behind a number of clutch hits, Wilson batted .413 with five doubles, 15 stolen bases and a .525 OBP. “(Chase) is willing to do whatever is needed to help the team. He is an unselfish kid and is outstanding in the classroom,” Rahal said.

Logan Zavala, Treasure Coast

Driving the Titans train, Zavala is another two-way star expected to shine during his senior season. He hit a team-best .410 with a home run, two doubles, 24 RBIs and a 1.038 OPS as a junior. On the mound, Zavala recorded a Titans-best 34 2/3 innings of work, finishing with 28 strikeouts and a 3.63 ERA.

Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at (772) 985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 15 Treasure Coast-area baseball players to watch for during 2024 season