2024 Preseason Power 25: No. 1
March 8, 2024
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For the next two weeks we will roll out our Preseason Power 25. Three staff members voted on their version of the thirty best teams in the Preseason Power 25, with a possibility of 90 total vote points for each team. Since we released 25-11 last week, this week we will reveal two teams per day until we get through the complete Power 25 on Friday. Voting for preseason teams centers more around the depth of talent on that team, as well as where it stacks up within their region/area, as opposed to strictly predicting schedule outcomes.
Generally, larger schools and classifications have a greater depth of player talent on roster. However, once the season begins and records begin to take shape, the Power 25 will be adjusted as needed. In addition to that, we will debut our Private School Top 10 around April 1st and Small School Top 10 around mid-April.
The #1 spot in the Preseason Power 25 belongs to the St. John's Cadets. The WCAC champs return and are absolutely loaded. Take a look at the full preview below.
#1 St. John's College
St. John's checks in as the Prep Baseball #17 team in the country. The Cadets rolled a 30-1-1 record last season and return a large part of last season's team. There is a sizable gap between St. John's and everyone else. They have top end arm talent, positional talent, versatile offense, and are very well coached. Clayton Armah (Auburn), Marcus Martin (High Point), Ren Devereux (Penn State), Hayden Kalisz (Alabama), and Sean McCabe (Coll. of Charleston) are the main arms to look for, but the arm depth does not stop there. Adam Troch (Duke) and Nate Hawton-Henley (Maryland) will be the keys to the car that is the offense. A big season from Colin Gibbs and Breyden Ruiz-Weiss could be crucial for them to have some middle of the lineup run production with the losses of Andy Francis, Andrew Powers, and Brayden Martin. The Cadets have a tough schedule, including the NHSI in early April, but they will be tested when it comes time for the WCAC tournament.
Clayton Armah
Class of 2025 / RHP
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2025
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Primary Position: RHPSecondary Position: 3B
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High School: St. John's CollegeState: VA
- Summer Team: St. John's Cadets
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Height: 6-4Weight: 190lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Nate Hawton-Henley
Class of 2025 / OF
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2025
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Primary Position: OFSecondary Position: SS
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High School: ST JOHNS COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLState: VA
- Summer Team: St. John's Cadets
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Height: 5-9Weight: 170lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Adam Troch
Class of 2024 / OF
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2024
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Primary Position: OF
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High School: St. John's CollegeState: VA
- Summer Team: Cadets
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Height: 6-0Weight: 175lbs
- Bat/Throw: L/L
Final Thoughts:
"This is the most well coached and most disciplined team in the state. While they won't always be dynamic in terms of the offense, they are going to play their game and force you to play it too. The front end of the lineup is fast, talented, and versatile. The arms, while talented, are going to pitch. They have the stuff to overpower hitters, but they are going to pound the zone, get early contact and outs, while working deep into games. The arms won't rack up fifteen strikeouts a game, but the staff is not going to lose games for teams. You are going to have to beat the Cadets because they are not going to beat themselves, and that cannot be said about many high school teams in the state, region, or country."
- Jason Burton (Virginia/DC Scouting Director)