USA TODAY is marking the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary by shining a light on the high school athletes who have helped shape the country’s sporting heritage, and among the most celebrated are the ten standout baseball players from Southwest Florida.
These athletes not only dominated their local fields but also translated those performances into professional careers that have left a lasting imprint on Major League Baseball.
A Decade of Draft‑Day Legends
Greg David earned The News‑Press Baseball Player of the Year in 1985, becoming Collier County’s first first‑round MLB Draft selection when the Toronto Blue Jays picked him that summer.
Two years later, Mike Greenwell captured the 1982 News‑Press Player of the Year award and went on to debut with the Boston Red Sox, earning two All‑Star nods during his tenure in Boston.
Johnny King, a two‑time Southwest Florida Baseball Player of the Year, now showcases his talents for the Toronto Blue Jays’ High‑A affiliate, continuing a lineage of local talent in the minor leagues.
Shane McClanahan, a Cape Coral native, rose to become a two‑time All‑Star with the Tampa Bay Rays, his fastball echoing the coastal community that first nurtured it.
International Journeys and Long‑Term Careers
Pat Putnam, drafted in the first round of 1975, spent time with both the Texas Rangers and the Nippon‑Ham Fighters in Japan, illustrating the global reach of Southwest Florida’s baseball pipeline.
Chris Resop, an elite arm from Barron Collier, navigated nearly a decade of major‑league action, leaving a mark on the mound with a blend of power and precision.
Deion Sanders, renowned for excelling in baseball, football and basketball, appeared in the 1992 World Series and later played for several MLB clubs, embodying a rare two‑sport duality.
John Tolisano was hailed as the nation’s top freshman by Baseball America and collected back‑to‑back Baseball Player of the Year honors, a testament to his sustained excellence.
Daniel Vogelbach, a high‑school slugging machine, eventually transitioned into a hitting coach role with the Milwaukee Brewers, continuing to influence the game from a different angle.
Mike Zunino’s solid catching skills at the high school level paved the way for a multi‑team MLB career with the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians before he retired from playing.
The collective stories of these ten players underscore how a strong high school foundation can launch athletes into lasting professional legacies, a narrative that USA TODAY hopes will inspire future generations as the country counts down to its 250th birthday.