Too Early Spring Previews: 757 Top 5
December 2, 2021
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As we slowly creep towards the end of 2021, the anticipation and excitement for another high school baseball season rises.
Today, we roll out our second installment of the 757 Too Early Spring Preview. In this edition we will uncover our Beach area Top 5 teams.
1. Nansemond River Warriors
With the departures of speedy centerfielder and leadoff hitter Cam Pittman (Radford), as well as pitcher/third baseman Gavin Gregory the Warriors will have some run production to replace. They return some important pieces in the lineup with the likes of Grayson Fitzwater (VMI), Ayden Stuffel (CNU), Aden Judge, and Chase Magrisi. Lastly, the Warriors bring back one of the best players, especially positional player, in the 757, Clay Grady (Virginia Tech). Grady is a sparkplug for that offense and a lockdown defender at shortstop. Newly added 2023 Cameron Johnson will also add a big bat to the potent offense. Staff ace Ayden Stuffel gets the ball in the big games, but who will fill the other important innings for the Warriors. If they can get some solid outings from their secondary arms, look for Nansemond River to once again be at the top of their district and region.
2022 Ayden Stuffel (@NRWarriors)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 15, 2021
Gets the start for Nansemond River. Compact frame. Quick whippy arm. Challenges hitters. Thrown 3 scoreless so far.
FB 78-82 T83x2@PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere #VHSL5APlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Q10AoREzWO
Here is the Clay Grady (@NRWarriors) double that was one of the jump starters for the 7th inning rally.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) April 30, 2021
The 2022 @HokiesBaseball has a different level of energy and plays bigger than his frame would suggest. @PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/KO6NMbp67b
2. Cape Henry Collegiate Dolphins
One of the youngest teams in the state in 2021 will be a year older in 2022. Cape Henry may still be looking for that frontline, shutdown arm, but the experience that the young staff gained last spring will no doubt help. Offensively the Dolphins return one of the top power bats in the area in Kenneth Schaedel (Georgia Tech), as well as Parker Wight who had a breakout spring as a freshman last season. Cape has plenty of depth positionally with the likes of a healthy Yoon Chae, Andrew Hart, Harper Cox (UVA), Josh Holland, Garrison Wight, Macaddin Dye, Cooper Angilly, and Tanner Schaedel. The pitching will be the key as the Dolphins should not have trouble scoring runs.
And just like that we have a tie game. This 2-run ? comes off the bat of 2022 Kenny Schaedel.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) April 10, 2021
Present physical strength in the frame and swing w/ athleticism to play COF/CIF. @prepbaseball #FutureGames alum@ShooterHunt @PBRVirginiaDC #BeSeen #PBRBombSquad pic.twitter.com/HKkqfNLUu7
There was no calling this one foul.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) April 17, 2021
2023 @UVABaseball commit Harper Cox (Cape Henry) unloads on this pitch for a solo HR out of RCF to make it 4-0 CHC. @PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt @prepbaseball #PBRIsThere #PBRBombSquad pic.twitter.com/DJpEXDcCxq
3. Greenbrier Christian Gators
The Gators will need to replace the leadership and production of James McGrady (Western Carolina) and Ethan Ott (UNC-Pembroke). Fortunately for GCA they have the return of a fully healthy senior leader in Austin Younce (VCU) and staff ace Bailey Matela (ODU). Matela will be accompanied by Dominic Angrisani who filled some big innings for the Gators as a sophomore and will look to expand on that this spring. Gavin Whitehurst is probably one of the top uncommitted bats in the state and along with Austin Younce, the Gator offense has plenty of pop in the middle of that order. New addition Bubba Sawyer (UVA) will add speed to the lineup, as well as a reliable defender to replace McGrady at shortstop.
‘22 C/OF Austin Younce (@BaseballGCA) keeps his hands back here on a BB and burns the left fielder for an RBI double. Big time strength and pop from the right side with lift. @prepbaseball #PBRFutureGames pic.twitter.com/gDkRj6jd8G
— PBR Virginia/DC (@PBRVirginiaDC) August 3, 2020
Absolutely love this bat.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) August 5, 2021
‘22 Gavin Whitehurst (@BaseballGCA) always seems to show up in game. Above average arm strength in OF and corner OF profile at next level.
Strong round of BP and it transferred in game. Nice addition to any lineup. @PBRVirginiaDC #VADCUSG21 pic.twitter.com/shbSbj61fC
2022 LHP Bailey Matela got the ball for @BaseballGCA
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 22, 2021
Over the top slot and feel for 3 pitches. FB/BB/CH mix w/ CH flashing S&M.
FB 79-82 T83x2
CB 66-69
CH 74-76@PBRVirginiaDC @VISAABaseball #VISAAStates #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/RZIvNU0JKP
4. First Colonial Patriots
With only one look at the Patriots last spring, they appear to not only have talent on the roster, but are a well coached group. Jerry Barnes III (William & Mary) is the catalyst in the Patriot offense, as well as the defensive leader behind the plate. William Wian (Randolph-Macon) should once again anchor the First Colonial staff and will be accompanied on the mound by Ryan Northup (Mary Washington) and company. The Patriot offense lost left handed power bat Ryan Peterson (VMI), but have talent and ability to once again make a run.
William Wian finishes his absolute ? of a game. Patriots win 1-0.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 16, 2021
Allowed two hits through 7 IP. Spinning for K’s in the 7th and pounded the zone all night.
First Colonial moves on the face @Cox__Baseball in the #VHSL5APlayoffs Region A final. @PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/XiCu97RDDl
? at this uncommitted ‘22. Jerry Barnes III (First Colonial) hoses a sub 7 runner with this 1.95 in game pop.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 15, 2021
Strong physical college ready body. Strong hands and elite catch and throw.
Should be a priority follow this summer. @PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/IPFECk65oX
5. Maury Commodores
Maury suffered some huge losses from their 2021 campaign. Antwan Walton (ODU) and Kennedy Jones (UNC-G) graduated. Alvin "Tre" Keels and TayShaun Walton (Miami) have transferred to IMG Academy. Those four losses have left some big voids for Maury, especially on the offensive side. A healthy Cullen McKay (UVA) gives the Commodores one of the most electric arms in the state and fellow seniors Matthew Phillips (USC-Upstate) and Ashton McGarity could throw some valuable innings. The area that Phillips will more than likely contribute the most at is at the plate. The big left handed bat of Phillips will be joined by the emerging 2023 power left handed bat of Brian Jones in the lineup.
#GoHoos commit ‘22 RHP Cullen McKay (@TidePhillies) working with swing and miss stuff. Freezing batters with SL on the hands.
— Phil Kerber (@PhilKerberPBR) October 2, 2021
Loose, live arm. Athletic build.
FB: 89-93, T94
SL: 79-81, sharp@PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt @NathanRode #PBRFallWS pic.twitter.com/nmehh0EKq0
? @PBR_Uncommitted ‘22 1B Matthew Phillips (Maury, VA @DelmarvaAces) just unloaded on a pitch for a 2 RBI HR.
— Jamie Naill Jr (@JNaill8) June 6, 2021
Big, physical frame w/ strong line drive tendencies G2G. Present ? to the pull side. Intriguing bat. @PBRVirginiaDC @PBRTournaments #PBRBombSquad #MDSelect pic.twitter.com/4VK3dXEZEV