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VA/DC Scout Blog: NOVA Double Dip

May 10, 2022
Jason Burton
Scouting Director PBR Virginia/DC

Follow @PBRVirginiaDC 
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On Monday afternoon we travelled to NOVA to catch two games in Arlington. This scout blog features thirteen players from four teams. This blog covers players ranging from draft prospects to an uncommitted 2025 and everywhere in between. 

Gonzaga

Jackson Baldrate LHP / OF / Gonzaga College, VA / 2023

Long thin 6-foot-3 frame. Level shoulders and hips. Lands on line working down the mound. Long arm swing and works from a sidearm slot. The fastball had consistent arm side run at 77-80 mph and worked mainly to the arm side. Tried to throw one slider, but casted it off to the arm side at 70 mph. The thin frame has plenty of room to add weight and he could be an interesting bullpen/backend arm if the velo continues to tick up. 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas Morabito SS / 2B / Gonzaga, VA / 2022

Morabito was ultra aggressive on the base paths. High end runner who turned out a 4.03 home to first on his infield single. Everyone in the park pretty much knew he was stealing first pitch both of the times that he got on, but it did not matter. Got hit in his first at bat and then swiped second. In his second at bat he struck out on what was probably O'Connor's best slider of the day. His third and final at bat resulted in the infield single in the video below.  

 

 

Bishop O'Connell

 

Michael Lavanga CF / RHP / Bishop O'Connell, VA / 2023

There are few that look the part more so than Lavanga, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound outfielder. Lean strength throughout and long limbs. Had a single through the left side in his first at bat. Did a nice job clearing the front side on the inside pitch. Kept thee hands inside and got the barrel out front for a line drive. Later on had a drag bunt where he showcased the run tool, turning out a 4.04 home to first. Range and arm strength to play all three outfield positions. 

 

 

 

 

Jack O'Connor RHP / 1B / Bishop O'Connell, VA / 2022

The 2022 UVA commit was very efficient in his seven innings of work. He allowed two singles (both in the 6th), two walks, struck out five, and only needed 94 pitches to work his seven inning complete game. The fastball was 90-93 early and then settled in the 89-91 range, grabbing 92-93 a few times when needed. The slider was the go to secondary pitch early on, sitting 80-83 with short shape and almost felt like a cutter at times. The curveball got used a little more frequently in the middle to late innings. It sat in the 74-77 mph range with gradual 12/6 break. He was able to throw both for strikes fairly consistently. Flashed a couple of changeups in the 81-83 mph range. Did not get a ton of swings and misses on the fastball or secondary, but did induce early weak contact in a lot of at bats. His pace was super quick, with only 6-8 seconds in between pitches for the duration of the game. Impressive athlete that gets off the mound and fields his position really well. 

 

 

 

 

George C. Marshall

 

Nathan Lake LHP / OF / George C. Marshall, VA / 2025

Listed at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Lake has a long lanky frame with room to fill. Short quick arm action from a low three-quarter arm slot. Shorter stride down the mound and lands slightly closed. It is a fairly low effort delivery. He showed some of the better command that you will see from a freshman arm. It was short work and mostly all fastballs that worked to the arm side, but he spotted up really well. The fastball sat in the 75-78 mph range, mostly 76-78. Arm side run to the fastball that ran away from the right handed bats that he faced. Also turned over three really nice changeups at 70 mph. Nice young arm that has some upside with his current feel for the zone and will only get better as he adds strength and velo. 

 

 

 

 

Owen Growney 1B / 3B / George C. Marshall, VA / 2023

Solid 6-foot, 220-pound frame. Square stance, short step to stride, and lands square. Hands load back and delivers a short level path to contact. Had a double to left center in the fifth inning. 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Robinson RHP / OF / Marshall, VA / 2023

6-foot, 160-pound frame. Lower effort delivery, shorter stride down the mound, and lands closed. Short arm action with average to above average arm speed. The fastball sat 79-81 mph and touched 82 with some arm side run. Had solid control and worked it to both sides of the plate. The breaking ball backed up out of the hand some in the first inning, but Robinson was able to get it working to the glove side in the second inning. It was more effective to the the glove side, as it had tighter break with depth at 69-71 mph. Also, flashed a changeup that sat 76-77 mph with arm speed comparable to the fastball. 

 

 

 

Yorktown

 

Kyle Langley OF / LHP / Yorktown, VA / 2023

Thin 5-foot-11 frame with sloped shoulders. Advanced runner with range in the outfield. Slightly open stance, hands are relaxed and loose, and strides landing square. Loads in rhythm and delivers a level path to contact. Stays inside the ball well and uses the whole field in approach. 

 

 

 

 

Trevor McAndrews 3B / RHP / Yorktown, VA / 2023

 

 

 

 

Ketz Murray RHP / Yorktown, VA / 2022

 

 

 

 

Ryan Powers C / 2B / Yorktown, VA / 2023

 

 

 

 

Chase Rubin RHP / 1B / Yorktown, VA / 2022

 

 

 

 

Jack Rucker LHP / OF / Yorktown, VA / 2024