VA/DC Scout Blog: William Monroe & Western Albemarle

March 17, 2022
Jason Burton
Scouting Director PBR Virginia/DC

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Tuesday night brought a matchup of two uncommitted 2023 arms, with Ben Winslow getting the ball for Western Albemarle and Lance Williams starting for the visiting William Monroe. Winslow was very strong through five innings, not allowing a hit. Western Albemarle went on to win by a score of 7-0, while Winslow and Lafayette commit Luke Craytor threw a combined no-hitter.

Take a look at some video and notes on three arms, including the two uncommitted starters, from Tuesday's game.

William Monroe:

Lance Williams RHP / SS / William Monroe, VA / 2023

Tuesday night, the newly uncommitted 2023 out of the valley gave us a peak at one of the more electric arms in the state. Williams came out with the energy and pace that we are used to seeing from the 5-foot-10 athletic framed right hander. During his three innings of work the control was scattered, but there is so much upside to this arm. High end arm speed, can manipulate timing, and has the ability to change slots. The fastball was 89-92 in the first before he settled at 87-89 and touching a few more 90-91's in the second and third. The fastball has life through the zone and plays a touch quicker in the upper half. The breaking ball plays. He did not land it for strikes enough, but when he starts it in the zone there aren't many high school hitters that have a chance. The breaking ball sat 73-75 mph with 11/5 shape and it ran away from right handed bats leaving little chance of finding a barrel, or bat. Higher spin ranging 2600-2700 RPM with depth and plenty of horizontal break. Dropped down for a fastball at 87 mph and then went sidearm on a breaking ball at 68 mph and landed both for a strike. Although he struggled with command, you can see that Williams has the ability to pitch and possesses feel for manipulating at bats and a hitter's timing.

Western Albemarle:

Luke Craytor RHP / OF / Western Albemarle, VA / 2022

Long thin 6--foot-4, 180-pound frame. Plenty of room to add weight. Craytor came on in relief for two innings of work. Fairly low effort delivery, shorter arm swing, and works from a high three-quarter slot. Had an issue early in the outing with the fastball working up and arm side, but settled in nicely and showed some swing and miss to the 85-88 mph offering. Backed it down to 81-83 for a couple pitches to get back in the zone, but once he established feel the velo creeped back up. Threw a couple of 71-72 mph curveballs with 12/6 shape and hard downer bite. The few he threw in the zone were legitimate out pitches. Craytor is a Lafayette commit.

Ben Winslow RHP / OF / Western Albemarle, VA / 2023

6-foot-3, 195-pound frame and still has a little room to add strength. Delivery builds pace and intent. Gets himself down the mound and everything kind of jumps at hitters. The fastball was 84-86 mph the first four innings, touching 87 twice, before fading just a tick in the fifth to 82-85 mph. He got swings and misses on the fastball, most of which were elevated. One of the better parts of Winslow's five strong innings came on his ability to spin it for strikes consistently. He had a really strong feel for a slider and mixed a few curveballs in as well. The slider was 73-76 mph and reeled off two breaking balls at 66-69 mph with bigger shape. He could throw it for strikes in about any count and had the ability to finish. Mixed in one changeup that I had at 78 mph. It was a strong performance for Winslow's first outing of the season.