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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 Part 1

Tanner Schobel SS / C / Walsingham Academy, VA / 2020 Schobel first caught our eye watching Walsingham Academy in the VISAA DIII semifinals with his athleticism and enthusiasm on the field. Getting to see the Virginia Tech commit in person was a pleasure. Defesively he has soft hands in the field with smooth and fluid acitons moving around the field. Its quick and clean with arm strength at 85 across the diamond. At the plate, there is controlled aggression in the swing, showing free hands at the plate and nice etension through contact. Bat speed was present and the young man showed a knack for getting a lot of barrel on the ball. Just a sophomore, he will be a fun follow down the road.

 

 

Geo Rivera RHP / OF / Lafayette, VA / 2019 There was a lot of reason to get excited about the potential of this young physical prospect out of Lafayette HS. Plenty of raw strength is present in the Lafayette product which was evident with some of the top numbers coming from the Old Dominion commit. Rivera was 92 from the outfield and had a 100 mph exit velocity while also pitching up to 90 mph. He looks to have a birght future on the mound with his live arm and a plus pitch in his slider that should play immediately at the next level. As he hones in that explosiveness and adds more polish to the mound, he should be a top arm in Virginia

 

 

Nathan Cmeyla C / SS / Briar Woods, VA / 2020 One of the top statistical performers on the day had to be the young 2020 catching prospect. Cmeyla was one of the top performers as a catcher on the day, positing the lowest pop time (1.99) while also showing the top arm strength on the day at 82 mph. Cmeyla shows strength at the plate with a level path and a barrel that stays in the zone and an exit velocity at 91 mph. His gap to gap style filling the middle of the field should create plenty of interest as he is an uncommitted 2020.

 

 

William Pickford RHP / Bishop O'Connell, VA / 2019 It's always good looking back at alumni of Team Mid-Atlantic from the PBR Future Games and seeing them continue to get better. Pickford has proved us right as we thought his quick arm action was going to translate to more velo down the road and the tall righty- saw his velocity go up this weekend pitching 85-88, a nice improvement from the 83-85 mph he was in Indianapolis. His breaking ball was up to 72 and should continue to get harder as its showing swing and miss potential for a plus pitch. It looks like there is still more in there for this uncommitted 2019.

 

 

Trey Carter OF / RHP / Carlisle, VA / 2020 This talented outfielder / pitching prospect showed some of the most explosive quick twitch on the day, no matter the situation. At the plate, Carter has a simple load to hitting position, then shows off lightning fast hands in his swing. Strength was present and you can tell there is still plenty of untapped potential at the plate. From the outfield it's a long and loose arm action with a velocity that got up to 92 mph with natural athleticism. Then for good measure, Cater got on the mound and although there is some tinkering to add polish to the delivery, the life in the arm is present with a fastball up to 88 mph.

 

 

Donovan Burke LHP / Loudoun County , VA / 2019 Burke showed a lanky frame with a quick loose arm. All three pitches had late movement and deception, breaking ball had sharpness to it and late break. Repeated delivery and showed command of all three pitches. Fastball was 81-84 with heavy late run. Change-up had armspeed and hard sinking action. Plenty of projection in frame and he creates deception with his delivery for this uncommitted 2019.

 

 

Landon Porter SS / OF / Norfolk Academy, VA / 2019 Porter had a good day at the plate and showed a very short line drive swing. Level and quick into the zone. Worked well gap to gap, has a chance to have some doubles power, exit velocity was 90. Consistent barrel contact, a chance to hit for a high average. Ran a 4.36 and with an infield arm of 82, should be able to stay in the middle infield at the next level, this uncommitted 2019 should be a good pickup.

 

 

Carter Trice SS / 2B / Lee Davis, VA / 2020 Trice was one of the best players at the event, regardless of class. He had a strong day statistically and still has a ton of projection left in his lanky frame. Showed a very strong arm, had the top infield arm in the event at 90 MPH. At the plate, very fast hands, stays inside the ball very well, gets barrel into zone quickly. Explosive bat speed with a ton of whip. Also had one of the top exit velocities at 92. Easy gap power with the potential for much more as he gets stronger. A very high ceiling on this uncommitted 2020.

 

 

Tyler Cotten C / 3B / Grafton , VA / 2020 Cotten had one of the better days among the underclass catchers. At the plate, he showed some shortness to the ball. His swing works well from gap to gap. Lots of batspeed with power potential, gets barrel to contact quickly, exit was 89. Showed a strong arm behind the plate with 78 as his catcher velocity, pops were 2.09-2.16. Ran a very quick 4.19 for a catcher. Athletic player who can definitely stick behind the plate but could move to other positions to fit his bat into the lineup sooner at the next level. This uncommitted 2020 has a lot to contribute.

 

 

Jaron McNeil OF / RHP / Dinwiddie , VA / 2021 McNeil was probably the 2021 that stood out the most at the event and for good reason, he had a very good day all around. He had one of the top arms from the outfield, with a quick arm hitting 87. Tons of athleticism, ran 4.0 home to first and had one of the longest broad jumps at the event. At the plate, he is very short to the ball, staying inside with his swing. Line drive hitter now who works gap to gap. Frame has a ton of projection left to it, he could easily develop doubles power to all fields or better. On the mound, fastball was 80-82 with a short arm action. Feel for two offspeed pitches and a breaking ball that projects to be very good. Very intriguing prospect with a ton of developing left to do.