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By John Nolan
Virginia Assistant Director and Content Manager

In 2017, Patriot made the program’s second trip to the VHSL State Tournament in program history, and first since realignment put the Pioneers into 6A. While the Pioneers came up short of a title, falling to Cox in a pitcher’s duel in the State Semifinals, Patriot has proven to be a consistent power in the North in the school’s short six-year history.

Last year’s team was led on the mound by senior ace James Price (George Mason), who has since graduated and moved onto college. Fellow senior and graduate Patrick Fyvie (Army) also contributed in a large way, but one of the key stories to the Pioneers’ success down the stretch was the emergence of 2020 SS/RHP Riley Eikhoff, who committed to Virginia last week. While the Pioneers will have Eikhoff to turn to again on the mound, one of the keys to their 2018 success will be who else emerges on the mound for them.

Another key to last year’s Pioneer team was speed on defense, particularly senior centerfielder Jake Jansen. In replacing Jansen, Patriot has caught a break with the transfer of speedy 2018 outfielder Will Balkin from Osbourn Park. The addition of Balkin at the top of the order should help the Pioneers retain a dangerous lineup built around Eikhoff, Balkin, senior catcher Brian Rall (High Point), and senior corner outfielder Will Heltibridle.

Patriot head coach Josh Steinberg was kind enough to invite the PBR VA/DC staff out to their workout on Wednesday, where some of his pitchers were throwing bullpens and he ran some of his players through speed testing, here are some quick notes on what we saw during the workout:

 

-2019 RHP/3B Andrew Casey sat at 80 during his bullpen. Lankier frame with an easier arm action, can add movement with a two-seamer at 79. Showed good feel for his change at 68-70.

-2018 RHP James Saunders sat 74-75, touching 77 with some sink from a three-quarters arm action. Showed a sharp curve at 63-66.

-2019 RHP Liam Fonner sat 83-84 and touched 86. Crossfire delivery with a tough angle. Slider at 71-72 and a sharp curveball at 68-69. Lanky projectable frame with room to add. Easy effort and arm works.

-2020 RHP Albert Redding sat 76-77, touched 78 with some sink. Curveball was 60-62, changeup was 63-66.

-2020 RHP Will Hilton sat 76-77 from a low three-quarters arm slot. Sharp curveball with 11/5 break and a sinking change-up with some armspeed.

-2021 LHP Brian Wilson sat 71-73 from a low three-quarters arm slot with some sink.

-2018 C Brian Rall (High Point) threw a short pen and sat 84-85, touching 87.

-2018 OF/RHP Will Heltibridle was 80-81 with heavy sink from a three-quarters arm slot with a short arm action. Change-up at 74.

 

60 Times:

2020 Bryce DeGrood 7.06

2018 Michael Fyvie 7.04

2018 Will Heltibridle 7.37

2018 Will Balkin 6.94

2019 Andrew Casey 7.19

2019 Drew Wann 6.84

2018 Jaden Minnick 7.09

2021 Brian Wilson 7.47

2021 Bradley Oliver 7.41

2018 Brian Rall 7.31

 

Look for us to continue to check in on some of the top programs as the fall continues in preparation for the 2018 season.