VA/DC Scout Blog: Colonial Forge at Mountain View

Michael Arce RHP / 1B / Mountain View, VA / 2022

‘22 @MarymountBASE commit Mikey Arce on the mound for @MtViewBaseball

2 pitch mix w/ solid feel for spin. When he gets the breaking ball to the GS has shown ability to run away from RHH.

FB 80-83
BB 68-70@PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/1czG3woSOw

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 3, 2022

Hayden Rue C / OF / Mountain View , VA / 2024

6-foot, 185-pound proportional frame with room to add good strength. Wider square stance, heel lift and replace, and loads the hands. Quick hands through the zone with solid bat speed. Some pull side tendency to the swing and strength to that side. Stayed back well on a breaking ball in his first at bat, singling down the third base line. Offense first profile with C/1B as future positions. 

Robert Stempin C / 3B / Colonial Forge , VA / 2022

‘22 #SouthernVA commit Robert Stempin has had an impressive couple of innings. Hosed a runner at 2nd, made a really nice play on a pop up behind the plate, and then drops this 2 run ? in the T5. @ForgeBaseballCF leads 6-1@PBRVirginiaDC #PBRIsThere pic.twitter.com/qwody8Fkz1

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) May 3, 2022

Zyhir Hope OF / LHP / Colonial Forge, VA / 2023

Hope has quickly become one of the more intriguing uncommitted players in the state, regardless of class. Present tools and still has some rawness to his game that offers even more intrigue because of the ceiling that still remains. At the plate Hope was very patient and selective of the pitches he swung at during his three at bats. Square, balanced stance at the plate. Hands load in rhythm with his toe tap pickup to stride. Active takes at the plate and is ready to hit on all pitches. Easy path through the zone with advanced bat speed and natural loft in the swing. Had a double off the fence, line out to first, and homerun out of center later in the game. Gets out of the box okay and has a different gear that he can turn on when he wants. On the mound he has easy arm strength and plenty of polish to add. The fastball worked mostly 85-89 mph and touched 90 three times in his two innings of work. He threw just a few secondary pitches including a 64 mph breaking ball that lacked arm speed and feel, but did roll out one 77 mph sweeping slider that was pretty special. Obviously, with it just being one pitch you have to temped expectations and wait for a larger sample size, but if that is any indication of the shape and speed of the slider then there is plenty to dream on. Finally, it has been just over a week since Hope has thrown in game and you could definitely tell there is some rust to knock off, but the upside and raw ability of this young man is off the charts. This is a top priority uncommitted talent with three present tools, two way potential, and plenty more upside left.