Mike Silvestri has been a part of the South Florida Baseball Community for over 30 years. He has had numerous success at both the High School and Collegiate level during his earlier years and has been scouting professionally the last 23 years. Mike has signed or has been part of the signing group of over 30 MLB players.
Mike’s coaching career dates back to 1992 where he was an assistant at State Runner-Up Miramar HS. In 1995 he became the Head Coach at Monsignor Pace HS in Miami. The Pace program achieved national recognition(Top 10 Ranking) while finishing as State Runner-Ups in back to back years. From 1995-1999 Mike and his staff developed 15 players that were either drafted and/or signed with a MLB Organization. His 1999 team had the most drafted players in the June MLB draft of any high school in the country.
While at Pace, many of his players signed with colleges ranging from D1, D2, JUCO, and NAIA programs such as the University of Miami, FAU, Louisville, FSU, Nova Southeastern University, St.Thomas University, and Bellevue University (Neb.) to name just a few. Mike was named Coach of the Year for all 5 years as the Pace Head Coach. He was also named the Florida State All-Star Game Head Coach in 1997. In addition to his Head Coaching duties, Mike worked for the first ever showcase organization in the country. The prestigious Team One Showcases conducted events all over the country during the summer months. His duties included coaching and evaluating numerous 1st Rd Picks, while also establishing life long relationships and contacts throughout the country with college coaches. Mike also instructed at many D1 programs Winter and Summer Camps such as The University of Miami and The University of Florida. In the summer of 1999, Mike decided to take on the task of rebuilding Broward Community College Baseball as their Head Coach. His 2000 and 2001 recruiting classes totaled over 25 MLB Draft picks along with numerous players continuing their educations and baseball careers at D1, D2, and NAIA programs. The 2001/2002 recruiting class eventually became the #1 ranked team in the entire country during the course of the 2003 season.
Mike started his Professional Scouting career with Major League Baseball in 2002 when he accepted a scouting position with the Anaheim Angels. While an Angels area scout, he signed Sean Rodriguez in 2003 from Braddock HS in Miami. Sean played over 10 years in the Big Leagues and recently retired. Named Angels 2004 Scout of the Year, he was promoted to the East Coast Supervisor. As the Supervisor he was part of the group responsible for drafting and signing future HOF Mike Trout in 2009. In addition, along with numerous other players, 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves closer Will Smith and Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado were drafted and signed under Mike's Supervision. Mike has also scouted for the New York Mets, signing MLB players from Florida, Luis Guillorme, Tomas Nido, and Rob Whalen. In addition he also began scouting internationally, and was part of many signings that are currently playing in MLB including Cleveland Guardians All-Star 2B Andres Gimenez, Atlanta Braves reliever Daysbel Hernandez, and St. Louis Cardinals Catcher Ali Sanchez amongst others. Named the Latin American Director of Scouting for the Atlanta Braves form 2014-2017, the club landed the #1 ranked signing class. Two players(Christian Pache/Wilson Contreras) from his tenure were on the 2021 Braves WS Championship team roster.
The background of High School Coaching, College Coaching, Running Showcases, and Professional Scouting has given him a well defined and all encompassing viewpoint of the college baseball and professional baseball world. Over the years, he has been able to help many families navigate the ever changing college baseball recruiting landscape. Having the ability to evaluate a player, guide them on what level(s) that they can play at, and assist in the communication levels with prospective coaches and programs has proven vital. With Mike’s experience doing just such, along with a proven track record of credibility at the games highest level, Mike is now bringing his expertise and knowledge in forming Florida Diamond Baseball Recruiting Services, so that he can help your son and family achieve your goal of playing baseball at the collegiate level.