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Too Early Spring Previews: RVA Top 5

November 30, 2021
Jason Burton
PBR Virginia/DC Scouting Coordinator

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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 countdown to the Top 5 of the RVA Too Early Spring Preview. 

1. Hanover Hawks 

The class of RVA. The Hanover Hawks are loaded once again. Far and away they have the best pitching staff in the area and quite possibly the state. With Levi Huesman (Coastal Carolina), Chase Hustead (JMU), Seth Keller (ODU), Marcus Van Alstine (VMI), Jackson Barnett, and hopefully a healthy and fully healed Anthony Gabello (JMU) the Hawks staff is quite possibly the deepest and most talented staff of arms in the state (Colgan is definitely in the conversation as well). The biggest question remains, will the offense produce enough when it comes playoff time. If Cannon Peebles (NC State), Brett Alvis (Mt. St. Marys), and Keller can get some help at the plate they will be a very tough out, regardless of who they are playing.

 

2. Cosby Titans 

After a 6A regional championship and a state semifinal appearance in 2021, the Titans looked poised for another run at a regional trophy and state tournament bid. Cosby loses one of their top two arms in Everett Vaughan (High Point), but returns one of the top arms in the area in ODU commit Caleb Grizzard. The Titans are a year older and bring back the vast majority of an offense that exploded in 2021. Collin Hughes (Longwood), Brayden Simpson (High Point), and Caleb Grizzard (ODU) will carry the load in the middle, but look for sophomores Ayden Schnarrs and Seth Truesdale to take big steps after starting the majority of their freshman year.

 

3. St. Christopher's Saints 

The Saints will have to replace VISAA co-POY in Griffin O'Ferrall (UVA) who had a monster spring, as well as Curtis Hale who provided some offensive firepower for the Saints in the spring. They also lost left handed arm Harrison Coble (Pittsburgh), but outside of those three St. Chris returns the core of their team. Camden Nuckols will more than likely assume the ace role for the staff and will need help from Kyle Haines (Randolph-Macon) and Jacob Carnley on the mound. The offense will more than likely be paced by Carter Schmitt (Randolph-Macon), Camden Nuckols (VCU), Charlie Knighton, and Bradley Garner. St. Chris will once again look to battle for a VISAA State Championship.

 

4. Glen Allen Jaguars 

Glen Allen ran through the regular season fairly easily, only to be tripped up in the Region 5B Championship game. Glen Allen returns the core of their pitching staff in Jaden Kinsler, Ethan Hudson, and company. While they were a bit inexperienced last year, the staff showed flashes of being really good and then there were times where the lack of experience showed. Not only do they return plenty of arms, but the offense is a year older and should be primed for a big spring. The bats of Ethan Brooks, Eli Brooks, Andrew Harris, and Christopher Johnson carried most of the weight last year and will return to do much of the same. Anthony Connor and Alex Heid are versatile defenders that can do some different things at the plate and should continue to be important pieces for the Jaguars.

 

5. Mills Godwin Eagles 

After a miraculous comeback in the Region 5B Championship game, Godwin ousted Glen Allen for the title only to host the buzzsaw that was State Champion Frank W. Cox High School. Godwin lost a few pieces in Chance Muir and Trent Pulliam, but will return a lineup and pitching staff that excelled last spring and are now a year older and have as much depth on the mound as any team around. Luke Calveric had a very strong summer on the mound and at the plate. The recent Radford commit should be a big two way piece for the Eagles this spring. Justin "Juice" Tobin, Garrett Mason (breakout star potential in 2022),and Ashur Caraher (Hampden-Sydney) all return after playing big roles in the Godwin offense last year. Sleeper arm to watch for is Zach Boyd. Look for the Eagles to once again make a run in 5B.