Too Early Spring Previews: 757 Teams 6-10
December 1, 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 Too Early Spring Preview, as we dive into some of the top teams in the 757/Beach area.
6. Ocean Lakes Dolphins
With newcomer Blake Dickerson (Virginia Tech), Ocean Lakes will have a chance to win any game they play. Dickerson is a shut down arm and he will have the likes of Max Kuhle (JMU), Peter Philips, and Nate Chown to accompany him on the mound. Senior Trevor Selph (EMU) will more than likely handle the catching duties. The Dolphins will have to replace one of the best bats in the state in 2021, Carson DeMartini who may have a chance to make big offensive contributions at Virginia Tech in his freshman year. If they can scratch together some offense Ocean Lakes will be hard to beat in 2022.
2023 Blake Dickerson (Salem-Beach)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 20, 2021
Lanky 6-6 frame w/ projection left. Short whippy arm w/ some deception. 3 pitch mix.
FB 85-88 T89x3
BB 74
CH 80-83 w/ feel@HokiesBaseball commit@PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/FO4gIYuX31
2022 Max Kuhle (@OLVBaseball l @TidePhillies)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) July 16, 2021
Easy effort delivery w/ some pitchability. Short arm that works from OTT slot. Breaking ball varied in shape at times (occasional 12/6 & 2/8).
FB 84-87 T89
BB 74-76
CH 80-81@PBRVirginiaDC @PBR_Uncommitted #PBR17UNat pic.twitter.com/75JJGR7gW9
7. Lafayette Rams
Look no further than #1 player in the VA/DC 2022 class as the primary reason as to why Lafayette has a chance to be back on top in June. Luke Hanson (UVA) is the best positional draft prospect and arguably the best overall draft prospect in the state. Hanson's physicality and athleticism that he offers on the offensive and defensive side are great, but at the high school level his ability to shut down opposing offenses from the mound are what could propel the Rams over the top. Kevin Cole is more than likely the number two arm for Lafayette and plays shortstop when Hanson is on the mound. Cole, Tristan Hiestand, and Price Whitaker will be likely contributors at the plate. How deep of a run can the Rams make? I think that will be dependent upon how well the staff can manage the days that Hanson is not on the mound, as well as whether they can score enough on those days.
Just another day at the field for one of the best ‘22’s in VA/DC.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 28, 2021
Luke Hanson takes this SL over the left field fence for a 2 run ?.
11-1 Lafayette leads headed to the B7. @PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt #PBRIsThere #PBRBombSquad pic.twitter.com/5DynRCyGDo
2022 Luke Hanson (Lafayette)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 12, 2021
The @UVABaseball commit has been strong in his first 3 innings of work. Advanced feel for CB with late bite and S&M potential. 7 K’s through 3 IP.
FB 87-89 T90-91
CB 72-75@PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/NwrqluIIeN
‘22 Kevin Cole (Lafayette) with a laser triple into RCF.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) September 11, 2021
Worked a 2K count and barreled up a FB to continue to @RBAWest offense. @PBRVirginiaDC #VaFallSelect pic.twitter.com/qz6ayGBim6
8. Western Branch Bruins
Hunter Johnson (Randolph-Macon) and Harrison Didawick (UVA) will provide some firepower in the top of the Bruins lineup, but there are some other questions that the Bruins will need to figure out if they want to get back on top, a place they have been plenty of times. On the mound the losses of Roberto Velasquez (Bryant & Stratton) and Kyle Hardy (Western Carolina) are big, but if the Bruins can figure out how to replace those innings they will once again be in the conversation in late May.
Talk about a high ceiling offensive piece.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) August 5, 2021
Enter ‘22 Hunter Johnson (Western Branch)
Long limbed 6-2 frame w/ room to fill. Shows bat speed and feel for the barrel. Carry to all fields. Like how the swing plays in game. @PBRVirginiaDC #VADCUSG21 pic.twitter.com/wSjBnrZ5Ts
2022 OF/1B Harrison Didawick (Western Branch)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) March 10, 2021
Long 6-4 frame w/ athleticism present. Looks to do damage early in counts and visible difference to 2K approach. Barrels up a FB early in this AB that got through the right side. @UVABaseball commit@PBRVirginiaDC #PBRSpringLeague pic.twitter.com/3CAg4m3YXX
9. Walsingham Academy
The Trojans lost their VISAA D3 State Player of the Year in Lincoln Lubsen (Randolph-Macon). Lubsen carried a lot of weight for the Trojans at the plate and on the mound so he will leave big shoes to fill. Jacob Miller-Bopp (Hampden-Sydney), Trey Christman, and Cody Christman bring back a wealth of experience, but will need help from the Trojans' supporting cast. Look for names like Donnie Evans (Hampden-Sydney) and super sophomore's Luke Harlow, Ayden Evans, Davis Neighbor, and Will Wyles to contribute in big ways if Walsingham hopes to make it four VISAA titles in a row.
A single from 2022 Jacob Miller-Bopp in his 2nd AB and a RBI double in his 3rd AB have gotten the @WATrojan offense jump started.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) April 17, 2021
4-2 mid 5th in favor of Cape Henry. @PBRVirginiaDC #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/LvPbVTr7Z9
#TeamMidAtlantic coming out of the gates hot❗️
— PBR Virginia/DC (@PBRVirginiaDC) July 31, 2021
2023 SS/3B Trey Christman (@WATrojan) turns on a FB here and rips a single through the 6-hole for a single. @PBRMaryland #TeamMidAtlantic #PBRFG21 #PBRFutureGames pic.twitter.com/59T9OYfNyo
‘24 OF Luke Harlow (@WATrojan) continues to impress.
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) November 6, 2021
6.8 laser 60 on a cold wet day, 85 mph OF velo, and continues to show advanced barrel skills. ?@PBRVirginiaDC #MidAtlStateGames pic.twitter.com/VCJoOfhWZ8
10. Hickory Hawks
The return of Cooper Newell and Bobby Loper on the mound are enough in itself to warrant the Hawks to be in consideration for teams to watch in 2022. Newell, a JMU commit, has a chance to be a frontline arm and Loper came on strong late in the year. Austin Jones, Spencer Sigmon (Bridgewater), and Jacob Smith (UVA-Wise) will more than likely pace the Hickory offense, but will need some help from others after the losses of Zackary Chadwell (High Point), Johnny Pascale, and Thomas Watermolen.
2022 Cooper Newell (@HickoryBaseball l @JMUBaseball)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 10, 2021
Works a scoreless 2 IP for the Hawks. Feel for FB/CB.
FB 84-87 (83x1)
CB 71-73 slurvy shape
SL 73-75 tight late@PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/JaT9LO4xlg
2022 Bobby Loper (@HickoryBaseball)
— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) June 15, 2021
Loper got the start for the Hawks. Athletic frame. Short quick 3/4 arm. Mostly FB/CB and showed 1 CH.
FB 83-87 T88x3
CB 70-72
CH 80@PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere #VHSL5APlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Hi0QMXt1gc