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By  Jerry Shank
MD/VA Director

Newcomers to the 2019 Rankings Part 3

The Virginia 2019 Rankings were released on Monday, August 14. In this major overhaul, the 2019 class close to tripled in number now to the top 100 players. It is important to note, the rankings are a direct result of our boots-on-the-ground approach to scouting. Our rankings consist of players that one of our staff has had the opportunity to see perform. 

Today is the third and final part of the series focusing on the new faces to the 2019 rankings. Today we give analysis on players in the rankings that we have had the opportunity to see at other events around the state. 

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We already singled out Nick Lockhart and Griffin Agee, our two new players in the top ten. Both arms have potential to have imposing frames and be dominating presences on the mound and could very well face each other down the road as opposition when Lockhart's Virginia Tech would face off against Agee's Virginia. But that is a few years away. Now we will take a look into some of the other new faces down the list.

Clark Klitenic LHP St. Albans (Duke)
Rank: 12
Report: 6-foot, 185-pounds that fills out the frame nicely. Throws with a whippy arm action with low hands at break and elbow raise. He hides the ball well throughout the arm action. Fast arm speed pitching with regular effort and has nice lower half implementation through release. Fastball darts out of hand 83-86 and has reported been better since we last saw him which does not surprise. Breaking ball has tight and short 1/7 action with fastball arm speed. There is room for more as he continues to grow and strengthen his frame.

AJ Pototjecki RHP Chatham
Rank: 20
Report: Potojecki has an athletic frame and throws with a drop and drive delivery from a three-quarters arm slot. Short quick arm action with some effort, shoulders closed and uphill, lands square with a fall off finish and recoil. Fastball had flat plane and some effort, sitting 82-85, touching 86. Curveball had late sharp 11/5 break and good armspeed, running 67-70.

Carson Swank SS Riverside
Rank: 21
Report: Swank has an athletic frame. At short, can make all of the plays, good quickness, soft hands, nice lateral quickness. Plays through the ball with a quick exchange, throws from a low three-quarters arm slot with a quick, clean arm and throws have some carry. At the plate, hits from right side with a quick bat. Short swing, level with extension, slight pull tendency but can use whole field. Discipline as well as the ability to handle the bat. Good in the leadoff role, should grow into the power to hit in the three spot.

Justin Starke C Prince George (VMI)
Rank: 22
Report: Very interesting 2019 prospect who should develop nicely as a top end catcher in the state. Athletic frame, hits from a square set up with high hands. Barreled ball well with a shorter path. Drove ball over center fielder's head on line drive for triple. Gets around ball on swing at times. Gets after it behind the plate. Sets up a nice target, soft hands, good hip control bouncing around on dirt balls and keeping centered. Liked the motor and effort behind dish. Falls off slightly on throws down to second. Clean exchange, could get a bit quicker to release so room to knock down his already 2.07 – 2.09 pop time he averaged in between innings. Will be a nice prospect to follow as he develops.

Ricky Jones OF Hopewell (Richmond)
Rank: 24
Report: Jones has a lankier frame with a lot of athleticism. Hits from the right side from an open stance, strides on line, smooth load and good rhythm. Short level swing with good hips and balance. Some batspeed and quickness to his bat, line drive hitter with good approach working gap to gap. In the outfield, got good breaks on balls and took good routes, glides to ball. Has speed, ran a 4.56 on a groundout after falling to a knee on his first step. A ton of athleticism and upside.

Gavin Younce C Greenbrier Christian
Rank: 48
Report: Athletic frame (6-foot, 170). Hits from an athletic, slightly open setup with high hands over the shoulder. Leg kick load to hitting position with balance. Level path with some extension through contact. Showed very good ability as receiver. Athletic stance, sticks the ball well, good flexibility and hip control. Did nice job on the low ball sticking and keeping in strike zone. Clean exchange and sound footwork on throws to second. 2.13 in between inning pop, 2.26 in game pop. Arm strength should continue to increase. Should continue to progress as he fills out his frame.

Christian Adams LHP/1B Fuqua
Rank: 56
Report: Athletic frame with some length. Controlled, build up delivery throwing froma high three quarter slot. Clean arm and repeated well. Topped out at 82 on the mound and played position well showing some athleticism. Room for more as he continues to grow. Showed two way potential. Hits from left side. Balanced stance, level swing with some bat speed. Showed good approach working count deep, potential for gap power and possibly more in his bat.

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