VA/DC Class of 2024 Rankings: New Faces
May 8, 2023
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Starting our rankings week off with a small preview of five new faces that are entering into the Virginia/DC 2024 Rankings.
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Anders Ahladas LHP / OF / Liberty Online, VA / 2024Ahladas made a strong impression at our Preseason ID event at the end of January and continues to prove his value on the mound. Strong 6-foot-1 frame that has filled out well. Clean arm stroke that is loose and has some quickness. The fastball was low to mid 80's in the winter and showed feel for a short shaped slider and a fading changeup. This is an arm that has made a nice jump in velo, as well as continues to add to his pitchability on the mound. Ahladas has thrown just under thirty innings on the year, striking out fifty-six, and allowing a .181 batting average against.
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Caleb Ammons SS / RHP / Jamestown, VA / 2024Ammons first came on to the radar at Preseason All-State this winter in Norfolk. We wanted to get out and see him this spring and when we did, we definitely came away impressed. First thing that stood out was the defense. Moved well at shortstop, solid actions, and enough arm to stay on the left side. The junior then came on in relief for Jamestown where he ran up some nice velo and showed some feel for two secondary pitches. Still TBD whether he is an arm or positional guy at the next level, but intriguing on both sides of the ball. Will be one to follow this summer.
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Payton Friske LHP / 1B / Cape Henry, VA / 2024We had never gotten a chance to see the now VMI commit, but there were definitely signs of ceiling and growth left to this Cape Henry left hander. 6-foot-2, long lanky frame with plenty of room to fill out. It is pretty easy effort on the mound and more velo in the tank. Friske was low 80's when we saw him earlier this spring and showed two secondary pitches, a slider and changeup. There is still polish to add and that is part of what makes this arm very intriguing in the future.
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Sam Kaczmarek OF / SS / Benedictine, VA / 2024Kaczmarek is new to the 2024 rankings, as he reclassed this past year, but was ranked in the 2023 class previously. The Benedictine junior is definitely someone who has taken advantage of that extra year and opportunity. He has been on fire at the plate this spring, hitting .400 (as of a week ago), with two homeruns, and over twenty RBI and runs scored. He has loud tools with a quick whippy bat at the plate and sneak juice from gap to gap. This is a 2024 that you will want to get eyes on now/this summer.
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Dawson Newman LHP / OF / Great Bridge , VA / 2024Newman has been one of the key pieces for a fairly successful spring for the Great Bridge Wildcats. He is a low 80's arm on the mound that fills the zone with three pitches and gets outs. Newman has been hitting in the middle of the Wildcat order when we have seen them. Uses the middle and backside of the field with doubles power and is a solid defender with corner outfield projection.
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