Too Early Spring Previews: West Top 5
December 7, 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 third installment of the Too Early Spring Preview, as we dive into some of the top teams from the western portion of the state.
1. Miller School Mavericks
Miller School lost a big bat in the top of the order in 2022 Nathan Fink. Fink left for IMG Academy, but Miller School still has more than enough offense in the order. The Mavericks return seniors Landon Abrahamson (Dayton), Henry Cooke (Virginia Tech), Jacob Exum (Virginia Tech), Laken Tignor (Patrick Henry CC), and Timothy Brooks (JMU). Brooks, who has made some big jumps in the last twelve months, will more than likely serve as staff ace and will be accompanied by fellow seniors Thomas Reilly and Jacob Exum. 2023's Noah Murray (Duke) and Patrick Rakes will bring additional offensive firepower to an already stout lineup. Look for the Mavericks to once again challenge for a VISAA State Championship.
2022 Timothy TJ Brooks (@MSA_baseball l @JMUBaseball)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) July 17, 2021
Compact 5-9 frame w/ strong lower half. Effort and intent to the delivery. Short quick L3/4 arm. CB/SL consistently for strikes. Competes in the zone.
FB 87-89
CB 65-69
SL 73-77@PBRVirginiaDC @InvadersVA #PBR17UNat pic.twitter.com/UGvrZSJCMz
2022 Laken Tignor (@MSA_baseball)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) March 23, 2021
Seems like every time I see Tignor he finds barrels. Deep sac fly to center in this AB, walked twice, and then hit a ? 2B in his last AB. Nice uncommitted offensive piece in the ‘22 class. @PBRVirginiaDC #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/ORN8U5z7cN
2022 Henry Cooke with a 1 out double in the T6.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 22, 2021
Tying run now on 2nd.
3-1 Cadets still lead @MSA_baseball @PBRVirginiaDC @VISAABaseball #ShapeTheState pic.twitter.com/izX2Lg0ykH
2. Liberty Christian Bulldogs
The Bulldogs return some pivotal pieces from a very good 2021 squad. The leadership and offensive firepower from the likes of Tanner Thomas (Longwood), Logan Duff (Randolph-Macon), John Simmons (Liberty), and Andrew Burns (Liberty) should provide plenty of run support for an already solid pitching staff. LCA will have to replace Brock Duff (UVA-Wise), who had an outstanding spring in 2021. In addition to the loss of Duff the Bulldogs will have to replace Will Thomas and Nathan Tucker, but with pieces like Sullivan Holmes (Liberty), Ben Blondino (King), and Benjamin Blair (Liberty) they have more than enough depth on the mound to make another run at a state title.
LCA 2022 RHP Sullivan Holmes (@LibertyBaseball commit)
— Jerry Shank (@jerry_shank) May 22, 2021
Lanky frame with more in the tank. Generates quick arm speed with regular effort. BB has 11/5 shape.
FB 87-89 T90(1) 91(1)
BB 72-74@PBRVirginiaDC @LCA_Athletics pic.twitter.com/ezopaEcBQA
2022 Tanner Thomas (@LCA_Athletics / @Mount_BSB commit) with a loud 1 out double in the T4.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 7, 2021
Fell in love with the hit tool last summer and it continues to trend up. Short to contact, power to pull side, and high contact rate. 2nd barrel of the day. @PBRVirginiaDC #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/Zio4LngNbB
2023 Ben Blair comes on in relief for @LCA_Athletics in the 3rd.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 22, 2021
LOVE this arm. Quick whippy L3/4 arm. FB has life and frame has plenty of room to add strength.
FB 87-89 (85x1) spin 2381-2561
SL 76-78
CH 81@PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt #PBRIsThere #VHSL3AStates pic.twitter.com/aKfDAYiim7
3. Jefferson Forest Cavaliers
After the losses of Connor Maggi (Gardner-Webb), Domenic Rowlands (King), and Spencer Williams (Gardner-Webb) the Cavaliers will have some valuable innings to replace on the mound. However, they have some young talented arms in the stable that will allow them to compete in every game. 2023’s Luke Gouldthorpe and Sam Bell (UMBC) are one best 2023 duos in the state. Add in East Tennessee State commit Peyton Smith and they have a chance to be really good on the mound. The offense should be led by seniors Evan Mace (Lynchburg) and Sully Tibbs (Radford). If Tibbs and Mace can get some help scoring runs, Jefferson Forest has the arm talent to compete with anyone.
4. Chatham Cavaliers
Chatham suffered some big losses with the departures of Matt Arnold and Christian Lancaster, who both went on to play at Hampden-Sydney College. Arnold and Lancaster made significant contributions on the mound and at the plate. Cam Satterfield (Patrick Henry CC), Carrington Aaron (Virginia Tech), and Jake Moore (Liberty) return, as they will once again bolster a powerful offensive lineup. I think the biggest question that will need to be answered in the spring is who will throw those valuable innings that Lancaster and Arnold threw last year.
2023 Carrington Aaron gets the @CHSCavaliersBB offense going. Doubles on the breaking ball up in the zone.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 5, 2021
The @HokiesBaseball commit would later score on a Christian Lancaster ground ball. @PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/Dcesw4J2ZA
‘23 Jake Moore (@CHSCavaliersBB) stays hot in the box. Has consistently produced hard line drives all weekend. Short, compact swing with a solid feel for the barrel. Here he goes the other way for an RBI 2B to LCF; 5th hit over the last two days. @prepbaseball #PBRFutureGames pic.twitter.com/s18oywo6wk
— PBR Virginia/DC (@PBRVirginiaDC) August 3, 2020
5. Lord Botetourt Cavaliers
There are few teams where you can say their offense alone has a chance to propel them deep into the playoffs, but Lord Botetourt may be one of those. Seniors Connor Fuhrman (South Carolina), Owen Prince (VMI), and Nate Prince (Roanoke) are three very strong offensive pieces to have to account for as an opposing team. If the Cavaliers’ staff can throw strikes and play defense behind their arms, look for LB in June.
2022 Connor Fuhrman (@LBCavsBaseball)
— PBR Virginia/DC (@PBRVirginiaDC) March 24, 2021
Athletic 6-1 frame. 6.96 runner w/ arm strength to play all 3 OF spots. Short quick flat path to contact w/ ability to use the whole field. @GamecockBasebll commit@prepbaseball #MidAtlanticProCase pic.twitter.com/NltlWKz7Xp
2022 Owen Prince (@LBCavsBaseball) with a leadoff single in the B1.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 18, 2021
Compact LHH with athleticism and feel for the barrel. Has continued to impress with the hit tool. @PBRVirginiaDC #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/qT20VpOIjC
2022 Nate Prince (@LBCavsBaseball) answers back for Team Virginia with this 3 run ? out of LCF.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 25, 2021
His 2nd hit in as many AB’s and his 4th RBI thus far.
5-1 Team VA@PBRVirginiaDC @PBRTournaments @pbrt_east #PBRMA17U #PBRBombSquad pic.twitter.com/6bUnsfeuGk