17U National Championship: Day 3 Notes
July 23, 2022
Follow @PBRVirginiaDC
Facebook + Instagram
Here are some notes and video on over a dozen players that our Mid-Atlantic staff got to see in Day 3 of the 17U National Championship at Lakepoint.
Braves National
 |
JD Stemhagen CF / C / Trinity Episcopal, VA / 2023
|
| |
Boston Torres OF / Home School, NC / 2023
|
Tidewater Phillies
 |
Joseph Munitz 2B / OF / Frank W. Cox , VA / 2023
|
| |
Peter Philips RHP / Ocean Lakes, VA / 2023
|
 |
Johnny Sutryk SS / OF / IMG Academy, VA / 2023
|
East Coast Titans
 |
Brenner Gursky C / 1B / Snow Hill, MD / 2022
|
Rise
| |
Breckin Nace 1B / LHP / Jefferson Forest, VA / 2023
|
 |
Conner Spears 1B / C / Thomas Dale, VA / 2023
|
 |
Justin Spiegel C / RHP / Thomas Dale, VA / 2023
|
Mid-Atlantic Orioles
 |
Hank Piersol RHP / OF / Mills Godwin, VA / 2024Piersol has a 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame. The Godwin right hander went to all three in the arsenal early, keeping a strong South Charlotte offense off balance. The fastball sat 81-84 mph and touched 85 once. He used it sparingly, especially in the first two innings, before the velo faded in the fourth to 79-82 mph. The breaking ball had more short action at 72-74 mph and tended to back up out of the hand. While lacking shape at times, it was effective. The changeup was quite possibly his best secondary pitch. The 75-76 mph changeup was more straight change and tended to hold plane, mirroring the fastball well.
|
 |
Brandon Thomas OF / 2B / Western Albemarle, VA / 2023
|
South Charlotte Panthers
 |
Benjamin Blair RHP / SS / Liberty Christian Academy , VA / 2023The Future Games alum was as advertised. The thin, long levered 6-foot-2 right hander dominated with the mostly fastball/slider mix. The fastball stayed 86-89 mph and touched 90 one time. While he got swings and misses at both ends with the fastball, it played much better in the upper half and just seemed to have another gear. The extension down the mound hovered around 7'4" and paired with the lower release height, Blair's fastball jumped on hitters. Threw the slider for strikes, though I have seen it show more shape, it was effective and had plenty of arm speed. It was later with short shape at 77-80 mph and kept hitters off the fastball. Flashed a few changeups at 78-79 mph.
|
Canes North Prime
| |
Hayden Hair SS / RHP / St. Paul's, MD / 2023Hair really showed off the defensive ability on Friday. Creates angles at short, hands work out front, clean exchange, ability to throw on the run with accuracy, and is light on his feet. Above average runner and good chance to stay in the middle. The offense is for average and contact driven, but the defensive ability carries value because of his ability to potentially stay at short and be a consistent defender. Interesting follow.
|
 |
Gabriel Ruiz CF / SS / Paint Branch, MD / 2023
|
 |
Evan Smith LHP / 1B / Pro5 Baseball Academy , VA / 2023Arguably most impressive pitching performance that I have seen this week. More than big velo, projection, or anything else, it was Smith's ability to mix it up, move it around, and pitch. It is a 6-foot-1 solid frame. The uncommitted left hander was very efficient with his pitch count. Worked five innings, allowed two infield singles, struck out nine, and did not walk a batter. The fastball held velo through his five innings of work, sitting mostly in the 85-86 range in the latter parts of the outing. The fastball was able to play up a tick because of the effectiveness of the secondary pitches. Landed a curveball and slider for strikes pretty consistently, but it was the curveball that dominated in the spin department. Slurvy shape, moved it in and out, and could throw it for strikes whenever he wanted. The slider had shorter, cutting action to it and was more one plane, but it was a different look. The changeup lacked arm speed at times, but it was a fourth pitch that he could throw for strikes and it was effective when used. Overall, Smith was impressive and should be a name to know for the 2023 VA/DC class.
|
Virginia Seminoles-Phillips
 |
Cameron Lamb CF / OF / Mechanicsville, VA / 2024
|
 |
Christopher Johnson 1B / RHP / Glen Allen, VA / 2023Johnson has a stocky, strong frame with present strength at the plate. Square stance with a simple load and stride that generally gets down and into position early. Is able to still generate bat speed and power from that position. Historically with Johnson the power comes to the middle and backside and today was no different. Went double to deep right field and then followed it up with an opposite field homerun in his final at bat.
|
 |
Derrell Fletcher RHP / C / Benedictine, VA / 2022Fletcher has a long lean frame that has really cleaned up and has created some looseness in his actions and delivery on the mound. Hands break down, full arm action, and works from a three-quarter slot. The fastball ranged mostly in the 84-85 range throughout the outing and was a tick higher in his first inning of work. Fastball has ride with above average spin, generally in the 2300-2400 range. The slider was solid, but the shape was inconsistent. He did drop down on the fastball a few times. Those lower slot heaters were 81-83 mph and he usually did it in two strike counts, as more of a different look.
|