Mid-Atlantic Procase: Helium Alert
August 21, 2024
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With the new rankings update coming next Wednesday (8/28), we wanted to take a dive into a few guys that are some of the higher ranked '25's in the state and how they positioned themselves after Sunday's ProCase. We will follow this up with some quick hits on more players from all classes that were in attendance at the Mid-Atlantic ProCase.
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Brett Beasley SS / RHP / Atlantic Shores Christian, VA / 2025"It was another look at the two-way East Carolina commit on Sunday and to no surprise the tools stood out consistently all day. The frame is long and durable at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds with still room to add bulk. Began his day showcasing the above-average run tool, turning out an impressive 6.68 60-yard, a personal best at Prep Baseball events. The BP rounds were consistent, spraying line drives to all fields with evident strength and backspin produced to the pull side. Bat speed stood out, creating some whip in the hands (76.7 mph Bat Speed) with the ability to turn the barrel quickly through the zone. In-game, Beasley turned on an inside fastball for one of the louder barrels on the day, lining a bullet through the 6-hole for a single. The approach and confidence are also glaring at the dish, showcasing controlled aggressiveness and the ability to take what is given. Defensively, the arm strength is evident, running it up to 92 mph across the diamond with smooth footwork and fluid transfers. Quick hands, foot speed, and arm strength all point to versatility at the next level, as confidence and play-making ability give Beasley a chance to make an impact at the next level. The poise and moxie impressed once again on the bump, showcasing feel for the fastball/slider combo with the ability to mix in any count. It's a shorter, athletic arm action with late intent that portrays some deception on hitters. The fastball sat in the upper 80s on the day, working to both sides with the ability to get in on right-handed hitters fairly consistently. The slider is the "out-pitch" and is thrown with confidence, working with tighter, shorter shape in the low 80s that plays extremely well off the fastball. Athletic, high-intent arm that pounds the zone and attacks opposing hitters." - Jamie Naill Jr. (MD/DE Scouting Director)
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Jett Bristow OF / RHP / Collegiate, VA / 2025"Bristow may be one of the most intriguing '25's in the state. Long and lean 6-foot-4 frame with proportional strength. Bristow put on an absolute show in BP, but that is nothing new for the UVA commit. I am pretty comfortable saying 65 (or more) present raw power. Elite bat speed (<89.2 mph), well above average hand speed, and elite power output. Bristow had fifteen swings on Trackman, eight of them resulted in exits of 101+ mph, with his top being 108.1 mph with wood. Multiple balls hit 390', including one at 423'. In game, Bristow fouled a few balls off hard and did not have any clean, hard contact. The Future Games alum has a sizable gap in the floor ceiling to his profile. It is legit, undeniable power that is going to bring plenty of attention from scouts. He has the power to mishit balls for extra bases and can leave the yard to any part of the park. The biggest question mark for me is where does the hit fit in and how often can he get to that raw power in game. Personally, I have seen it and when I have seen it, it seems to come in waves. If he gets hot, there is probably not a hitter that arms are more uncomfortable facing, because of his ability to leave the yard at any time. There are a lot of moving parts in the pre-pitch and it is a bit unorthodox, but if he can deliver barrels consistently, a lot of that can be moved to the side. Probably closest comp that comes to mind with a UVA hitter would be Jake Gelof. Gelof probably had a better hit at the same time, but Bristow may have comparable raw power that Gelof had during the backend of his time at UVA. There are plenty of differences between the two, but similar type of power production upside." - Jason Burton (VA/DC Scouting Director)
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Ryan Gocio C / 3B / Ocean Lakes, VA / 2025"5-foot-11, 209-pound frame. Proportional strength and durable. Left handed hitting catcher with solid bat to ball skils and a heavy barrel. I thought Gocio had some of the best BP and in game hitting on the day. Was in his element when he went middle to backside gap. The barrel stayed on it, had some backspin and carry, and displayed ability to hit in game. It is a narrow, upright stance, but is consistently on time getting the foot down and delivering the barrel through the zone. Average to slightly above average bat speed and stays connected when he rotates. The top hand seems a bit tight and produced more top spin to pull. Would like to see him access some of his power potential to pull and backspin a few balls to the pull side. Behind the plate he is a solid receiver and does a nice job blocking. The arm strength is average, he was fairly accurate to the bag during the workout, and had a short arm action from a higher exchange. Offense first profile and overall I would say an average to slightly above average defender behind the plate. I think Gocio really has a chance to hit at the next level. He does not swing and miss a ton, is comfortable using the backside of the field, and has more power to the middle and pull that he should continue to work on accessing." -Jason Burton (VA/DC Scouting Director)
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Will Haacke OF / Calvert Hall, MD / 2025"It would be an understatement to say that Haacke impressed during the workout on Sunday, as not only did the metrics and data jump off the page, but the actions and athleticism opened a ton of eyes on the day. The James Madison commit possesses a long, lean 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame with some of the more evident projection across the state. The run tool is advanced, turning out a 6.58 60-yard that transfers well in-game on both sides of the ball. The athleticism and raw strength to go along with the speed allows Haacke to impact the game in multiple facets, and the above-average arm strength (92 mph) should provide versatility in the outfield at the next level. Offensively, the barrel feel is evident, creating some upward tilt through the zone with length in the barrel, allowing plate coverage fairly consistently with quick hands and plenty of torque in the hips. It's a balanced approach, spraying line drives to the gaps and alleys with added strength to the pull side, producing an impressive 98.8 mph max exit velocity and averaging 90.9 mph. As the approach and decision-making become more consistent at the dish, look for Haacke to be a marquee name to watch as the fall and winter months approach. - Jamie Naill Jr. (MD/DE Scouting Director) "It was my first time really getting a chance to lock in on Haacke and my first time seeing him at a workout type of event. Obviously the run tool is present and will give him a chance to play center in Harrisonburg. I thought the swing functioned really well in BP. They were simple and repeatable movements, whip in the barrel, and a higher finish through contact. Showed some range in center field during the game and has the tools to stay there. Just a quick first look, but a very intriguing one. Think he stood out to a few people in attendance and will get some follows this fall and next spring." - Jason Burton (VA/DC Scouting Director)
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JJ Hand C / RHP / Brentsville District, VA / 2025"The Old Dominion commit had a very strong showing on Sunday. It is a strong, durable 6-foot-1 200-pound frame with proportional strength. Hand caught my eye early in his batting practice rounds where he showed barrel control working gap to gap with line drive tendencies. Later in rounds he showed his ability to open it up and showcase his strength to the pull side. His approach in batting practice translated over into game play. Hand picked up three hits including two doubles showing a heavy barrel with the ability to use all fields. Behind the dish Hand has natural hands that helps with him recieving. He shows natural instincts behind the dish with blocking and keeping baserunners honest. It is a average arm with quick exchanges putting throws on the bag. It is a offensive profile for the catcher right now with still the ability to impact the game behind the dish. As the frame continues to add strength it will give both the offense and defensive profiles a change to continue to grow." - Jordan Jones (VA/DC Assistant Scouting Director)
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William Hurt SS / C / St. Christopher's, VA / 2025"Hurt had one of the most consistent and eye opening rounds of batting practice to get the day started . With his short, simple swing path there is comfortability with using any part of the field. He sent line drives to all parts of the field. He uses a gap to gap approach with strength to the pull side that can run baseballs out of the yard at times. In game play he showed an aggresive approach with his ability to make adjustments and have zone awareness. In one of his at bats he got the foot down in time and send a loud line drive back up the middle for a single. Defensively Hurt has some position versatility because of his athleticism. He is an above average runner that is able to move around to different positions in the infield and outfield. It is an offense first profile with an evident hit tool. As strength continues to add to the lean athletic frame there is more room for the power to continue to grow for the future Hokie." - Jordan Jones (VA/DC Assistant Scouting Director)
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Brayden Mann C / 3B / PDG Academy, VA / 2025"In my first look at the 2025 catcher there were a lot of impressive things to look back on. It is a physically imposing 6-foot-4 200-pound frame that checks the box of the eye test. In batting practice he caught loud barrels working middle to pull side during rounds. There is minimal movement with a uphill barrel path that shows some length through the zone. In game play he wasted no time letting his presence be felt as he showcased his ability to turn the barrel and handle pitches on the inner half picking up two hits. There is a quiet confidence he brings to the plate that contributes to his success. Behind the plate Mann shows some athleticism and soft hands that makes him an above average defender. He has an above average arm with catch and throw ability. Mann is a vocal leader and shows toughness that gives him a chance to stick behind the dish at the next level. Mann is one of the top uncommitted backstops in the state with obvious skills that could be a huge help to a program." - Jordan Jones (VA/DC Assistant Scouting Director)
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Cash McDade C / 1B / Gonzaga College, VA / 2025"Did what he usually does when we see him. It is a high end catch and throw. Above average arm strength and accurate to the bag. We see other catchers with plenty of arm, but the functionality of it usually does not work. This is a clean exchange, short arm action, and the throws show some carry. Most importantly of all, it works in game. I would like to see the feet and direction be a little more in line, but at the end of the day, the ability to make it work in game is the most important piece, and it does work. Offensively, the Baylor commit is a contact bat. There will be some occasional extra bases, but mostly singles and hit for average. He has shown the ability to spray it around the field with more line drive tendency. The extra base threat usually comes gap to gap. Have not seen him walk a ton and is usually aggressive early in counts. He had multiple hits on the day, some clean and some mishit, but regardless, he found a way on base. I think there may be a few catchers in the state that probably have a higher offensive floor, but none that have the catch and throw ability and more of a complete package with a legitimate chance to stay behind the plate." - Jason Burton (VA/DC Scouting Director)
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Luke Smyers LHP / OF / Mills Godwin, VA / 2025"The 6-foot-3, 195-pound left hander had a really strong outing at the ProCase on Sunday. Long proportional frame that has added noticeable strength in his lower half. Obviously the velocity ticking up a bit with the fastball was encouraging, but it was the secondary that really rounded out his day for me. The fastball was 88-90 and topped at 91. It had late arm side life and ran away from right handed hitters. Obviously as a left hander, having to face more than your fair share of right handers, you need something to keep guys honest on the outer half and I thought he showed the ability to bury the slider in to right handers and keep guys from creeping out over the plate. He would frontdoor it on the arm side of the plate and then got some very uncomfortable swings and check swings on pitches that were off the inner edge and back footed sliders. On a few occasions he showed a much improved changeup in fastball counts. He started a hitter or two off with it and then would double up, or would throw one in a hitter's advantage count. Quality arm speed on the 78-81 mph pitch and it stayed down in the zone. It was one outing, but what he showed leaves you excited about the potential future. The slider has always flashed shown the ability to be an out pitch, but adding a quality third pitch is huge for the long term. The velo continues to make small steps forward and if he can create some consistency and back a few good outings up, while showing those two secondary pitches in the same way he did on Sunday, he could be a very close follow in the spring." - Jason Burton (VA/DC Scouting Director)
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Kaleb Williams SS / 3B / West Springfield , VA / 2025"Athletic, 6-foot, 172-pound athletic frame. Talking about someone who just plays the game and always seems to show up, this is another one. Quietness to everything he does and very business like. Ran a 6.69 60, had the 3rd fastest 30 split (3.76), and the frame suggests he has a chance to maintain that speed, or potentially get a touch faster. Above average hand speed, average bat speed, and a clean and consistent path through the zone. Slow and controlled load, paces the move forward, and is centered and balanced throughout. The movements are consistent and repeatable and I think that is a big contributor to his offensive success. Similar to some of the other infielders on hand, it is not loud offense. It is feel for barrel, gap to gap, and will flash occasional pop to pull. In game is where he shines most. He just always seems to be up in big spots and delivers more times than not. Defensively, Williams has average arm strength, and a quick and clean gather and exchange. Positionally long term, I think he is a guy that you can move around the infield, but certainly has the ability and tools to stay on the left side. It is not huge arm strength, but it is enough. Really liked this get by VCU then and think he will be a good one for the Rams." - Jason Burton (VA/DC Scouting Director)
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Michael Williams RHP / COSBY HIGH, VA / 2025"Williams made a statement on Sunday with an electric outing. The 6-foot-3, 189-pound right hander attacked hitters with a three pitch mix and kept hitters guessing. It is a quick arm from an over the top slot. The fastball was 89-90 with some downhill deception getting swing and miss in the zone. The slider was the go to secondary that he was able to land in any count. It was used to begin counts as well as finishing counts looking as a plus pitch. The slider was more firm and had better depth than the previous look, working in the 79-83 range. Williams also showed a fading changeup in the low eighties that was effective to left handed hitters. He worked up tempo and his confidence grew as the swing and misses continued to pile up. There is starter profile for the Hokies commit as he posseses the secondary and the pitch ability. As the stuff continues to progress and strength continues to be added, the future could be bright for the Cosby product." - Jordan Jones (VA/DC Assistant Scouting Director)
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TJ Woodson SS / RHP / Hanover High School, VA / 2025"Woodson, for me, is the best true shortstop in the state. Coming off being under the weather for a few weeks, he did nothing to change my mind. The kid can really really play. I would say for most of his life, he has been "short on tools", but has adapted to overcome that. The bossman Jerry Shank said it best, he is comfortable in his skin and knows who he is. As a defender there is probably not another infielder, or player on the defensive side that is as instinctive as he is. Makes the easy ones look easy and the hard ones look easier. The arm is above average, it functions, and the internal clock allows it to play even better than it is. The footspeed has improved enough to say that he is a true shortstop with the lateral range to stay. Can round backhanded balls and throw off-platform with accuracy and enough arm to get it there and is versatile enough to be a starter at all three infield positions. The offense has always been a little light, not because of bat to ball and contact rate, but because of just the physical attributes to the profile. He has gotten stronger and can deliver the barrel to get to the pull side and it still very willing and able to use the backside of the field. Line drives, doubles in gaps, and will occasionally turn on one to the pull side for a bolt. Woodson had multiple hits, worked counts, can hit with two strikes, and possesses solid plate discipline. Woodson could wind up as maybe the best true shortstop since the 2021 class had Griff O'Ferrall." - Jason Burton (VA/DC Scouting Director)
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