By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting

2014 Top Prospect Games participant and Stone Bridge High School infielder John Callahan has verbally committed to attend the George Mason University in the fall of 2016. Callahan is the first member of Stone Bridge’s talented junior class to commit to a college, and join seniors Michael Kuzbel (Columbia) and Justin Zaferakis (Christopher Newport) as Bulldogs that will play baseball at the next level. The Bulldogs won the 5A Northern Region Championship and went to the State Tournament in 2014 and are currently 3-1 this spring. Stone Bridge has been ranked all season and currently sits 20^th in the Prep Baseball Report VA/DC Power 25.

Callahan stands 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, and hits from an athletic balanced stance. He starts with high hands, has a smooth load back, quiet rhythm, and stays back behind the baseball. He has a short stride and an explosive lower half with strong hands and outstanding bat speed. He recorded an exit velocity of 90 mph off of the tee. In the field, Callahan is athletic and a plus defender at shortstop. He has soft hands, quick fee, and an above-average arm with a positional velocity of 85 mph. He had clean exchanges that were quick and accurate and he has the ability range to his left and right and utilize his arm strength to make plays.

When he arrives at George Mason, Callahan figures to immediately be able to help the Patriots as a versatile defender and bat off of the bench. As he develops, Callahan should be able to stick at shortstop, but could slide to third base if needed, playing very good defense at both positions. Offensively, he has the ability to develop into a middle of the line-up threat that will pepper the gaps and hit some homeruns while still hitting for a high average.

Congratulations John!