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The Preseason All-State was hosted by Virginia Sport Complex on Saturday, February 17th. Over 100 players from around the commonwealth came to be apart of the biggest event in Virginia history and the talent on display was equally impressive. Because of such and successful and deeply talented field of athletes, we cannot simply break down this event with one story. So for the remainder of the week we will highlight a few of the many top performances.

Rapid Reaction Tuesday
Rapid Reaction Wednesday
 Rapid Reaction Thursday

Rapid Reaction Friday

 

Conner Phillips RHP / 1B / Radford, VA / 2020 Phillips brought the most intrigue for us on the mound as the long-limbed right-hander threw an easy 83 on the day. In a controlled delivery pitching with light effort, Phillips looks primed to gain velocity as he adds to his projectable frame down the road. He builds up into his lift with a high leg kick and slight corkscrew into a down to out with nice lower half involvement and a quick, long arm action. Will not be surprised as he gains velo and could easily become a pretty dominant type arm with the frame and arm speed.

 

Drew Larsen C / 1B / Deep Run, VA / 2020 Larsen hits from an athletic set up and is another interested 2020 prosepct. I have to admit, I have a bias toward left-handed hitting catchers, but Larsen looks to be a potential power threat down the road as he continues to develop. It's a quick swing that is direct to the ball, that showed better extension through contact as his BP sessions extended. When he consistently was getting longer through contact, you could see the potential in the swing. Behind the plate it's a clean exchange and a pop that was as low as 2.14, but should get better as he gets stronger and continues to develop.

 

Sam Alheit OF / LHP / Indian River, VA / 2019 Its been very nice to see the development of Alheit since we saw him last summer. Another lefty that hits from an athletic set up, Alheit has a short path at the plate with quick hands that stay in side well. He shows an ability to hit the other way and isn't afraid to turn on one when he needs to. He seems to be showing better barrel control and has a knack to put the ball where he wants to at the plate which should do him well. Alheit does bring some two-way ability to his game depending on the level and he should gain some more velocity as his strength continues to improve.

 

Mark Smith 3B / RHP / Tallwood , VA / 2019 One of the breakout performers of this event was Smith, an interesting 2019 infield/pitching prospect. At the plate, it was a simple set up and load at the plate with bat speed and nice rhythm throughout. Smith show nice barrel awareness and was able to pepper the ball throughout his BP session and showed surprising strength with the ease of his swing (exit velo of 93). He showed clean actions in the field and a short arm action that was 82 across. On the mound it's an athletic arm action that was up to 85 mph with some ease. He has a build-up style delivery that does have some kinks to clean up, but there is more in his tank there as well.

 

Avery Salyer RHP / 3B / Homeschool, VA / 2021 Salyer has a projectable 6-foot-3 frame with room to add on. It's a pretty compact delivery with a sound arm action and bigger arm circle. He creates interesting arm sped through release and get some lower half involvement, but has potential in the delivery to get more out of himself and gain more velocity. He is a two-pitch arm right now with a split-change for his second pitch that bottoms out at 72 mph. He got so much bottoming out action that it can make you think it's a 12/6 breaking ball. There is room to grow for this freshmen as he smoothens out the delivery. One to keep an eye on.

 

Michael Tolson RHP / OF / Stafford, VA / 2019 Tolson is an Old Dominion commit and has some the highest upside of any prospect that was at the event. On the mound, his fastball was in the low 80s, but the armspeed is off the charts, when he gains strength, the velocity will jump quickly with the potential to be upper 80s or higher. Showed a breaking ball with good shape that should tighten into a swing and miss pitch. At the plate, the swing is raw with a longer path, but his insanely fast hands make up for that path. Lightning quick bat and still has a ton of projection. Very raw prospect with a very high ceiling. Athleticism and speed is also a strength, 4.27 home to first and one of the best broad jumps at the event. Potential five tool player at some point in his career.

 

Mason Delane RHP / SS / Colonial Beach, VA / 2019 Delane has a tall lankier projectable frame that he can still add to as he develops. He has a shorter arm action that is free and quick, generates velocity with easier effort. Fastball was 85-87, his higher arm slot created a tough downward angle on the pitch. Curveball is an out pitch already with late hard 10/4 break and some armspeed. Changeup has good armspeed and some late run. Delane demonstrated feel of three pitches, he has room on his frame to add velocity and projects as a weekend pitcher in college who should get a shot in pro ball at some point in his career. A very exciting uncommitted 2019.

 

Carl Erdmann 3B / 1B / James Madison, VA / 2019 Erdmann has added strength since we saw him in September and that was evident in his swing. The added strength has led to some extra quickness in his bat with the ball coming off the barrel better. Also showed improvement in his barrel awareness, making consistent solid contact in different parts of the zone. Generates power from hips, line drive swing with doubles potential for this uncommitted 2019.

 

Reilly Owen RHP / OF / William Monroe, VA / 2019 Owen had a strong day as a two-way player, catching our eye as an outfielder and on the mound. On the mound, showed a longer loose arm action and easy effort, sitting 81-83. Also showed feel for a good fading change-up and a curveball. At the plate, showed some bat speed and a slightly uphill path with good extension through the ball and an exit of 92. Line drive swing should create carry and doubles power now with potential for more. In the outfield, arm was up to 87 with easy effort, suggesting more in the tank on the mound and a good arm for a corner outfield spot at the next level.

 

Ricky Jones OF / Hopewell, VA / 2019 Jones is a Richmond commit and is an outstanding athlete. He is still a bit raw at the plate, but the swing is short with some quickness. Works uphill with some fly ball tendencies. Jones does have elite speed and athleticism, running a 4.05 home to first and posting one of the better broad jumps. Also showed a strong arm from the outfield, hitting 88 with a short three-quarters arm action and easy effort to his arm action. Projects to be an outstanding defender in the outfield that provides speed on the bases at the top of a lineup.