2024 VA/DC Player of the Year Watchlist: 20 Picks to Click
March 11, 2024
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Our staff has compiled a Preseason Player of the Year watch list that is made up of twenty high impact players from across the state. These are players that have the ability to impact the game in multiple facets. Most of these players are upperclassmen who are high level players that have shown their impact on the game in years past. Although there is a good chance that the Prep Baseball Player of the Year comes from this list, potential candidates are not limited to the twenty inside of this list.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCHLIST
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Clayton Armah | 2025 | RHP |
St. John's College |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.On a team loaded with talent, Armah may be the key that starts the engine this season. While they have plenty of depth everywhere you look, this is an arm that has continued to grow and his best days are ahead of him. I think those days take a big step forward this spring. The command and pitchability have always been there, but I think the stuff has taken another step and he will be key in this team's success not just in the state this year, but in their tough road slate in nationally recognized tournaments. You know what you are going to get out of the Auburn commit and because of his pitchability, efficiency, and lower effort delivery on the mound, I think he will work deeper into games, preserving arms and notching some big wins for the Cadets. |
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Griffin Burkholder | 2024 | OF |
Freedom (South Riding) |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Burkholder is the #1 2024 in the state for a reason. He has probably the strongest set of tools for any positional player in any class for Virginia/DC. A plus runner, valued position, and can provide dynamic offense at the plate. With all of the losses that Freedom has had the past two years, they have enough around Burkholder that will not allow teams to work around him and that will give him a chance to produce a big spring and allow his stock to continue to rise. Very workman like approach to his game and his focus and drive give him a shot to be the key piece to an Eagles team that will be battling for another state title. |
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Brendan Cowen | 2024 | LHP |
Tuscarora |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Cowen is one of the most competitive arms in the state, and he has the stuff to match his demeanor on the mound. The velo has ticked up just a touch from last spring and he dominated versus some big time competition last high school season and on the travel circuit. Pitchability, flashes advanced command for a high school arm, and can throw two secondary pitches for strikes. Cowen threw nearly 60 innings last spring with 105 strikeouts, a .842 WHIP, allowed a .144 batting average, and was 8-1. He struck out nearly ten hitters every start while only throwing just over an average of five innings per game. While run support may be scarce, the runs that he allows will be just as hard to come by. |
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Evan Hankins | 2025 | 1B/LHP |
Miller School |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Hankins numbers may take a slight hit from years past, but that is because he will be a part of a team that is going to play arguably the toughest schedule of any team in the state and will be facing some of the best hitters and arms in the country. While it's possible that it will be tough sledding early, he will be prepared and primed when the meat of the schedule comes around in state. He is a two-way talent that can impact the game every single day, has some protection around him in the lineup, and on the mound he will benefit greatly from a stellar defense and two strong catchers behind the plate. He could be the difference maker for the Mavericks, and that's what potential State Players of the Year do. |
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Mason Hatcher | 2024 | RHP |
Halifax |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Hatcher has been up and down when we have seen him the past two seasons, but I am not sure there are many, if any, other pitchers in the state that have performed at the level that he has during the past couple of summers/falls. I think with this being Hatcher's senior season he will find another gear and dominate for the Comets. The region is a little down this year and I think it is ripe for the Comets to find their way back to the state tournament. In order for that to happen, Hatcher will need to have an All-State type of year and I believe that is what we will see from the Radford commit. |
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Jett Humphreys | 2025 | INF/RHP |
Abingdon |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Jett Humphreys is a big impact player for a dominant program in southwest Virginia. The Abingdon two-way start almost single handedly brought his Falcons team back from a deficit in a game that we were able to catch last season versus southwest rival, John Battle. He is a extra base and homerun threat at the plate and is the Abingdon ace on the mound. The now William & Mary commit was thrown into that star role last spring with the loss of Ethan Gibson due to injury, but it seemed like Humphreys never missed a beat. For me he is the frontrunner for Class 3 State Player of the Year because of his ability to impact the game every single day. |
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Austin Irby | 2024 | 3B |
Cox |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Irby is one of the best pure hitters in the state. He has shown the ability to hit for average and power. The East Carolina commit brings a certain flare and confidence to the field every day and expects to succeed. The left handed hitter will be an impact bat for the Falcons and has the help of Parker Wight (UNC-G) around him to allow for a two-headed monster in terms of left handed bats capable of creating big innings in a hurry. Irby is a four year starter in the infield and his leadership and experience will be pivotal if this Falcons club is going to repeat in 2024. |
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Jamie Laskofski | 2024 | SS |
Lake Braddock |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Laskofski had yet another stellar year for Lake Braddock, setting the school record for hits in a season. This is a storied program that has had plenty of very talented players come through and for him to now own that record says a lot about him. The William & Mary commit is an athletic middle infielder that is also likely to contribute on the mound, adding to his value for this Braddock team. This was a tough decision between two Bruin senior standouts, but Laskofski is the early season candidate because of his ability to impact every single game in multiple facets. |
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Grady Lenahan | 2025 | OF |
Patriot |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Lenahan had a breakout 2023 for Patriot. The East Carolina commit had nine homeruns by the middle of May, was named Cedar Run District Player of the Year, and was selected to the Class 6 1st Team All-State. Lenahan was the only underclassman selected to the Class 6 All-State Teams. He is arguably the most dynamic outfielder in the state and produces in game power that impacts the game in a big way. Not only does he have the tools to stay in center, but they show up in game. |
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James Nunnallee | 2024 | C/OF |
Lightridge |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Nunnallee possesses some of the best hit tool and best bat to ball in VA/DC. The left handed swing gives you some Jonny Farmelo feels in terms of the contact rate, as well as some similarities in the setup. Nunnallee is an above average runner and if he can show the ability to impact the baseball on a more frequent basis, it will definitely drive his draft stock up. Although Nunnallee is a long term outfielder, he will more than likely spend the majority of his time behind the plate this spring. While the future isn't in that spot, for value sake, he will have an opportunity to be involved every single pitch and play. His leadership qualities and experience will be of unquantifiable value to this Lightridge team. Nunnallee is versatile on the offensive side because of his bat to ball and hit tool and that allows Lightridge to use him in some different ways, showcasing his value. |
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Tanner Schaedel | 2024 | Util./RHP |
Cape Henry |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Tanner Schaedel is the reigning VISAA Division I Player of the Year and you would be hard pressed to find a player more important to his team and has the impact that he does. When Schaedel is not dominating on the mound, he can be used in the infield or outfield, adding to his versatility. You can plug and play Schaedel essentially wherever you want and he will more than handle his own. On the mound it is an upper 80's arm that will scrape a few 90's and attacks the strike zone at will. In addition to all of that, the ODU commit is an impact bat that hits for high average and power. More importantly, he shows up when the lights come on and no matter who he faces, he is going to compete and shine while doing so. Some of the best all-around tools in the state and they translate in game. For me, he is the early favorite for Prep Baseball Virginia/DC State Player of the Year. |
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Jackson Sirois | 2024 | SS |
Paul VI |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.While there are many offensive options on this PVI team, Sirois will be a pivotal piece towards this team's success. The UVA commit will be heavilg involved on the defensive side at a highly valued position, as well as in the front part of the lineup. Sirois has flashed the ability to impact the baseball at times, as well as shows the ability to swipe bags when he gets on. With losing their top arm for the year, run production could be key and Sirois' ability to get on, as well as drive runs in will be key for this Panthers team. |
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Luke Smyers | 2025 | LHP |
Mills Godwin |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.The long and lanky lefty is one of the toughest matchups in the state. His funky arm slot and different look makes it tough on hitters from both sides of the plate. He was one of two sophomores on the Class 5 All-State Team and had a dominant sophomore campaign. The Alabama commit threw over 45 innings, struck out just over two hitters per inning, and managed to hit just north of .300 with two homeruns. His impact on the mound should be similar to last year, but very well may have a larger impact at the plate this season for the Eagles.Video Embed |
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Lee Sowers | 2024 | SS |
Douglas Freeman |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.For the last two summer and fall seasons Sowers has been one of the most dynamic bats in the country. He has consistently had success versus some of the best arms in the country. With his senior season on tap, I expect his spring production to take a step forward and be the dynamic bat that he has shown he can be. Sowers anchors the middle infield and may even contribute some on the mound. I think that his output this spring will be the difference in whether or not the Mavericks take a trip back to the state tournament and allow them to capture a second state title in the last three years.Video Embed |
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Tucker Swails | 2024 | RHP |
Patrick County |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.The Class 2 State Player of the Year is back and ready to repeat his '23 season. Swails threw 41.1 innings, piled up a 6-1 record, .827 ERA, and struck out 80 hitters versus 6 walks. In addition to all of those numbers, the Virginia Tech commit threw a perfect game and hit over .500 at the plate. The numbers were some of the best in the state and maybe with no Bryce Eldridge doing Bryce Eldridge things, Swails may be looking to repeat as State Player of the Year. He will undoubtedly be the most important piece for this team and has the ability to impact the game every single day.Video Embed |
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Payton Tone | 2024 | 1B/RHP |
Western Branch |
Uncommitted |
+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.This is my sleeper pick for State Player of the Year. Tone is on a team full of talented players, but he may end up being the most impactful of them all. After losing Nic Poole to graduation, the Bruins could use some dynamic offense in that lineup. They have steady bats, the have guys who are versatile in what they do at the plate, but I am not sure they have a big run production, game changing type of bat. That is where Tone could fill the void. Left handed hitter with some hit tool, barrel feel, and occasional power that can open a defense up a little. Not only will Tone be an important bat, but his impact on the mound may be just as valuable. Staff ace Gavin Biernot (VMI) is as steady as they come and has the ability to shut down any opponent, but Tone fills those big secondary innings as well as could be a pivotal closer to come in and shut the door. Mid-upper 80's fastball and attacks hitters. The value is there and if the production follows, look for him to be in the hunt at the end of the season.Video Embed |
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Myles Upchurch | 2025 | RHP |
St. Alban's |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.While everyone knew of the abilities and stuff of the now Alabama commit, I am not quite sure that anyone expected the super sophomore to perform the way he did versus the teams he threw against. Upchurch threw nearly 60 innings, allowing only eight earned runs, and an opponents batting average of .167. His ERA was .94 and he dominated in the zone. He has starter stuff and it is easy to see why he is the top ranked right handed arm in the state. Losing Basso from last year's club will only add to his value this year, as he will almost certainly get the ball in every big game. Upchurch should also contribute at the plate, but on the mound is where he will be the biggest difference maker. |
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Dalton Wentz | 2024 | SS/RHP |
Amherst |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.The former Future Gamer and Super 60 participant will once again be the centerpiece for the Amherst club. Although more than likely a positional guy long term, Wentz may see his mound usage increase in '24, thus increasing his production and value as a State Player of the Year candidate. Last year they had a couple of upperclass arms that had very strong seasons, allowing Wentz to lock down shortstop and close out games on the mound. However, with those arms departing his greater need in big games may be on the bump. He is a hard nosed player, a dirtbag if you will (insert pun), and is due for a breakout senior season. His offensive numbers could be hindered by a lack of protection around him, because even when he had some hitters around him last year, teams elected to not let him beat them. Regardless, Wentz will be the most dynamic and impactful player west of the Richmond area. |
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Noah Yoder | 2025 | RHP |
Atlee |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.If you want to watch an absolutely dominant high school arm, go watch Atlee when Noah Yoder throws. You will not see hitters more uncomfortable than in their at bats versus Yoder. While the stuff is electric, it is his size, delivery, and release that make it really tough on hitters when it comes to them getting off "A swings" on the Duke commit. The breaking stuff and secondary in general has gotten better and if he can land the breaking ball consistently, he is virtually untouchable in those outings. Yoder started the season really strong in '23 and if they can handle the load management and keep him fresh late, they will be very tough to beat in late May/early June. |
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Bradley Zayac | 2024 | RHP |
Grassfield |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.The East Carolina commit had one of the best years of any player or arm in the beach area, as well as a 2nd Team All-State selection for Class 6. He is one of the best returning arms in the state and his numbers should match his abilities. In order for Grassfield to take that next step in the playoffs and state tournament, Zayac will need to be dominant on the back half of the season. Although I am sure he will also help his Grizzlies club at the plate, the mound is where he will do most of his work and where he brings his Player of the Year potential to the high school baseball season. |
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