Top-10 Profiles of 2019: No. 3 Vytas Valincius
December 31, 2019
We covered Vytas Valincius (Baylor, TN, 2021; South Carolina commit) earlier in our Top-10 Stories of 2019 countdown because he was among a handful of high-level recruits who transferred away from an Illinois high school over the summer. The hulking Valincius was previously Illinois' top prospect inside the state’s junior class for his ability to wield one of the most dangerous right-handed bats in the country. It was clear, early, that Valincius was destined to become a menacing middle-of-the-order power threat and he’s only been strengthening that toolset since.
Valincius is a quality power threat because of what he’s able to do when he’s not sending fly balls over fences – he carries with him excellent plate coverage, zone and situational awareness, and because he can barrel up offspeed, too.
He helped a lethal St. Laurence lineup make its way to the 3A state title game this past season before announcing a transfer to the Baylor School in Tennessee over the summer, a state that’s now inheriting its No. 2 overall prospect and the country’s No. 38 overall.
Scouting Report
South Carolina commit. One of the most physically imposing prospects in the country, standing 6-foot-3, 240-pounds, strength in every part of his frame, has firmed up body with muscle considerably over the past few months. As pure of a power hitter as you will find. Barrel works uphill through the zone as he looks to elevate the ball and drive it with considerable force. Even on mishits the ball still comes off the bat at a scorching pace. Has a good feel for the zone and hand-eye coordination, has a plan of attack looking to hammer fastballs, saw a healthy dose of off-speed pitches, but still fought them off and made consistent contact.
Previously ranked number one in Illinois, but transferred to Baylor HS during the summer. Possess elite power and big-time upside. The South Carolina commit settles in at #2 in the 2021 class.
South Carolina commit, top ranked sophomore in the state and ranked No. 27 overall. 6-foot-3, 240-pound, physical, thick build, strong lower half, well-developed frame for his age. Offensively, hits with a presence that plays different for his age; confident in the box, swings with controlled aggression, occasionally will get big. Fluid rhythm, still head, ball consistently jumps off the barrel. Finished 1-for-3 with a walk. Lined a base hit up the middle and lined out to shortstop. Defensively, soft hands at first base with the ability to play at a high level. High-level 2021 prospect.
4/23/19
South Carolina commit, top ranked sophomore in IL, 27th nationally. Physically imposing, thick build, strong lower half, highly advanced for classification. Hits with a presence in the box, creates a deadly 3-4 threat with Matt McCormick for current No. 1 rank St. Laurence. Finished 1-for-4 with two RBI. Hit was a line drive RBI single up the middle, other RBI came on a quality 9-pitch at-bat resulting in a sacrifice ground-out to the right side, knew the situation and got the job done. Balanced at setup and throughout contact, smooth load with slight barrel wrap, short stride, smooth rhythm. Strong hands create effortless fast bat speed, fluidity in path, stays on plane and drives the ball to all fields, can lift with ease. Played first base and made all put-outs his way.
South Carolina commit and the No. 1 player in the 2021 class. 6-foot-3, 240-pound, extra-large, physically-advanced, imposing, right-handed hitting infielder. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, short leg-kick timing trigger and maintains balance. Confident look in the box, advanced bat speed, short bat path, advanced bat strength and power potential to all fields. 107 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.36 runner in the 60, laser-timed.
10.8.18 - Verbally committed to South Carolina.
6.19.18 - It is rare to find a prospect so big (6-foot-3, 235-pounds), but with such excellent feel for their swing. Though just a 2021, Valincius looked every bit the part of being one of the top hitters, and with power, in the 2021 class. The right-hander is balanced throughout a fluid load, and is unfazed by opposing pitcher’s arsenals. My introduction to Valincius came in the form of a hanging curveball that he promptly sent flying over the trees behind the left field fence for a home run. More agile than his size would lead one to believe, he comfortably flicks balls over to first from his third base position where he moves fairly well from side to side. However, it his bat, and more importantly the fluid rhythm and pitch recognition that he possesses that make him the impressive hitter that he is, and an exciting prospect to follow moving forward.
5.17.18 - Currently ranked No. 18 overall in the 2021 class. 6-foot-3, 235-pound, right-handed hitting corner infielder, imposing, strong frame. DH’d for the Vikings and hit 7th. Offensively hits with a presence in the box, athletic, even setup, short load/stride, fluid rhythm. Loose hands, can create natural uphill lift through swing, effortless power hitter type, attacks the baseball. Finished 1-for-3 at the plate with a single hard to the pull side. Also flew out deep to the opposite field. Strong 2021 follow.
4.11.18 - High follow 2021. Ranked No. 35 in Illinois’ Class of 2021. 6-foot-3, 235-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. Immediately stands out for his physicality, extra-large frame, thick upper and lower halves, nimble on his feet, possesses exceptional athleticism for size and frame. An imposing figure in the batters’ box, stands in strong, does not back down. Barrel path has natural lift tendencies, makes strong contact consistently, advanced approach for age. Hit a deep home run in his first at-bat to right-center field, finished 2-for-4 with one home run, one run scored and one run batted in.
2.18.18 - 6-foot-3, 235-pound, extra-large, imposing, thick lower half, two-way prospect. One of the top 2021 prospects in the Midwest. Right-handed pitcher, highly-advanced on the mound for his age; all three pitches have plus potential. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, with rhythm and some effort throughout. Short, loose, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball jumps out of the hands, arm-side-run, occasionally gets underneath, sat 84-87 mph. Curveball, maintains arm speed, tight, sharp spin, 11/5 shape, depth, thrown for strikes, 75-78 mph. Changeup, gets sink and run, swing-and-miss type of offering, feel, 76-77 mph. Also, one of the top 2021 bats in the class. Right-handed hitter, has advanced pop in his bat; registered a 94 mph exit velocity from a tee. Creates well above-average bat speed for his age, flashed strong contact and pull power. Path has inconsistencies but seems to find the barrel often. Starts from a balanced, wide setup, smooth load and short stride. Defensively, profiles as a corner infielder; moves well for size. Sure hands, plays through the baseball and shuffles through release. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws flashed carry at 82 mph. 7.71 runner in the 60.
2017 Junior Future Games - Right-handed pitcher, strong, physical frame with thick lower half. Quick, high ¾ arm action with some effort. Fastball, showed explosive late arm side life, missed arm side, sat 83-84 mph touching 86. Curveball, 11/5 shape, had bite and depth, swing and miss potential, 73-76 mph.
5.5.17 - High follow in the 2021 class. HIghly advanced frame, physical, imposing figure with athleticism. Played third base and also pitched. Offensively, right-handed hitter, imposing presence in the box, open, balanced setup, loose, rhythmic hands, aggressive approach, present bat speed. Put on a power display at the plate over the weekend mashing multiple home runs. Defensively, has soft hands and ranges well for his size. On the mound, athletic, quick arm action, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, flashed cut action, 80-82 mph in multiple appearances. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 68-71 mph. Flashed a quick jump move pick-off to first.