Too Early Spring Previews: RVA Teams 6-10
November 29, 2021
As we slowly creep towards the end of 2021, the anticipation and excitement for another high school baseball season rises.
Today we begin our Too Early Spring Preview, as we look at some of the top teams in the Richmond area.
6. Benedictine Cadets
The Cadets will have to replace the arms of Jay Woolfolk (UVA and Connor Handy (Univ. of New Orleans), but they usually roll out a few new arms in the spring that have made significant jumps. Some of those arms that are in that conversation are '23 Daniel Lingle, who provided some big innings for the Cadets last spring, and Derrell Fletcher (VMI) who had some nice outings in front of our staff this summer. Benedictine brings back key offensive pieces in Corey Adams, Terrence Rhodes, and a healthy Will Moore (VMI). I am sure there will be some new faces that jump out in the spring as Coach Ryan always has a few sleepers.
2023 Daniel Lingle (@BCPBaseball)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 22, 2021
Young arm and 1st time on a stage this big got some big outs for the Cadets tonight. Came in with bases loaded and got a 3-2, 2 out K.
FB 82-84
BB 72-74
CH 70-73@PBRVirginiaDC @VISAABaseball #VISAAStates #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/68hd8rUmpj
Really intriguing first look at @BCPBaseball 2022 Will Moore.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) April 7, 2021
Easy efficient load and has shown feel for the barrel. Here is Moore’s line drive single to right in his 3rd AB. 2-run ? to RF in his 2nd AB. @PBRVirginiaDC #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/vOfDmUbaFi
7. Trinity Episcopal Titans
Coach Merry has some big names returning, especially senior outfielder and pitcher Josiah Harrison (Longwood). Harrison had a huge year last year at the plate and looks to pick up where he left off. With pieces like Logan Janney (Longwood) surrounding Harrison, the Titans have a chance to turn some heads this spring. Their ace arm will more than likely be Brian Curley (VCU), who was up to 93 mph late summer and shows no sign of slowing down. Curley can be a shutdown arm any time he takes the mound.
2022 Josiah Harrison (@tesbaseball)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) April 21, 2021
Long loose whippy arm and loud tools that are present in actions. 2-way potential. Ball jumps out of the hand.
FB 84-88 T89 once
BB 71-74 occ. late hard downer bite@PBRVirginiaDC @TES_Athletics #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/DqjJSEci8h
And again. This time a 3-RBI 3B to RCF that would clear the bases. Harrison would score on an overthrow at third.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) April 21, 2021
Makes it 7-6 w/ @tesbaseball @TES_Athletics climbing back into this one. @PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere https://t.co/FY7RqWgE9L pic.twitter.com/b0hmO0bLQ9
‘22 Brian Curley (@tesbaseball)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) September 10, 2021
Short quick arm. 2 pitch mix w/ uncomfortable swings on the SL. @prepbaseball #PBRFG20 alum & @VCUBaseball commit
FB 89-92 T93 (most 90-92)
- spin to 2477
SL 80-83 spin to 2500@ShooterHunt @NathanRode @PBRVirginiaDC #VAFallSelect pic.twitter.com/kcfwMkXl83
8. Mechanicsville Mustangs
With their workhorse Brett Allen gone who will fill his production from a year ago. Look for Dallas Hairfield (Longwood) and CJ DiNapoli (William & Mary) to do some of the heavy lifting. The offense is a year older and has a chance for some solid production with bats like DiNapoli, Ethan Serrano (VCU), and Cameron Lamb (Longwood). If the Mustangs can provide some solid outings from their arms they have a chance to make a run in 4B.
2022 Dallas Hairfield (@Mech_Baseball / @RichmondBraves)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 24, 2021
Compact athletic frame w/ strength present. Quick 3/4 arm and works with intent. K’d the side in the 2nd.
FB 85-88 T89
SL 73-76 late downer@PBRVirginiaDC @PBRTournaments #PBRMA17U pic.twitter.com/LrA0lETLMi
2022 CJ DiNapoli with his 2nd single of the night for @Mech_Baseball . This one on an elevated fastball.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 5, 2021
Toolsy uncommitted 2022 that has 2-way potential. @PBRVirginiaDC #ShapeTheState pic.twitter.com/qbAy8TkWfy
9. Collegiate Cougars
Collegiate has athleticism and youth throughout their offensive lineup with names like Silas Gwathmey, Hayden Rollison, Hartley Rahman, and Will Slater. The arms of Pearse Riendeau and Eric McDaniel (Mary Washington) will more than likely do the heavy lifting for the pitching staff. One of the biggest keys for Collegiate's offense will be lightning fast lead-off man Donovan Williams. Williams is the spark plug for that offense and can ignite a big inning whenever he gets on.
2022 Donovan Williams (Collegiate)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) April 23, 2021
Backside single in the B5. Contact driven swing, uses the whole field, and tangy defender in the OF. Tight turns and high end foot speed. 4.3 on the turn. @PBRVirginiaDC #ShapeTheState pic.twitter.com/J44Bv13wkW
2022 Eric McDaniel (Collegiate)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) July 14, 2021
Filling the zone FB/CB mix. FB shows consistent ASR. CB has 11/5 shape w/ feel for the zone.
FB 81-84 T85
CB 70-72@PBRVirginiaDC #PBR17UNat pic.twitter.com/aXFLwSzW2o
2022 Pearse Riendeau (Collegiate)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) August 12, 2021
6-3, 200-lb frame w/ plenty of room to fill out. Settled in for a quick, clean 2nd and 3rd IP. Showed feel for CB/CH and got early contact.
FB 79-82
CB 66-68 1/7 shape
CH 74-76@PBRVirginiaDC @PBRMaryland #NEseniorgames pic.twitter.com/wBFjlMds1s
10. Atlee Raiders
Any time the Raiders roll Michael Joyce (Florence-Darlington Tech) out to the mound they will have a chance to beat anybody. Who can Atlee count on in those other games? Can the bats of Turner Fitzpatrick (Hampden-Sydney) , Landon Scott , Chase Sanford , and company produce enough in the big games that Joyce throws, as well as other nights? If they can answer those questions the Raiders could make some noise in RVA.
2022 Michael Joyce (@AtleeBaseball)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) July 14, 2021
Uncommitted RHP/C. Athletic mover on the mound. FB is easy out the hand with life at both ends of the zone. FB command to GS.
FB 87-90 T91x2 92x1
BB 80
CH 76@PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt @RichmondBraves #PBR17UNat pic.twitter.com/GuDU1JxJMf
.@mph101squads 2022 Turner Fitzpatrick (@AtleeBaseball, @PBRVirginiaDC) lines an RBI hit to LC
— John Nolan (@PBRVADC_Nolan) June 25, 2021
Lanky frame, room to add strength, has some batspeed and power in the gaps #PBRisThere #PBRMA17U pic.twitter.com/DRPj3iEPaq