2024 VA/DC Early MLB Draft Preview
August 25, 2023
Follow @PBRVirginiaDC
Facebook + Instagram
We are now about two months removed from the conclusion of the 2023 MLB Draft, which was a smashing success for Virginia/DC with two prep First-Rounders and four prep players total selected, three of whom have signed so far.
With that behind us, it is now time for us to turn our attention to the 2024 class as they begin to go through their evaluation process, with events like the Mid-Atlantic Procase, East Coast Pro, and Area Code that happened in early August.
*Full ProCase notes and breakdown to come once all rankings weeks are completed.*
Tier 1 Prospects:
In this tier, you will find players that if the Draft were held today, would stand a chance of being selected.
*Listed in alphabetical order*
 |
Griffin Burkholder OF / RHP / Freedom (South Riding), VA / 2024"Burkholder is a West Virginia commit who has some loud tools. Very good runner and plays fast in game, he also has a strong arm and raw present power. " -Nolan "The Freedom outfielder was dinged up a good bit of the spring and it was tough to get a good look on him, as he could not get into a rhythm, but he has exploded this summer. Ran a 6.41 at the Mid-Atlantic Procase and a sub 6.5 at East Coast Pro. The athleticism and physical makeup is real. Lean strength that translates into his actions. Showed hard contact all week at ECP and has the ability to swipe bags at a fairly high rate. Has the tools and value to be the top ranked player in the state and has really closed the gap this summer. Biggest question with draft stock this fall and spring is will he stay healthy to give enough looks on at bats and can he stick in centerfield. If the answer to those questions is yes, he could easily be the first player off the board next June." -Burton
|
 |
Brendan Cowen LHP / LHP / Tuscarora, VA / 2024"Cowen is a Virginia Tech commit and had a monster season for the Huskies. He hides the ball well which causes his fastball to play up a bit over what the gun says." -Cowen "Had a chance to see Cowen this spring and he was impressive. He dominated a fairly strong lineup, using his fastball-slider combo to punch out batter after batter. Cowen sits mid 80's and will run it up to 87 and maybe an 88 here or there. Tough low slot, works both sides of the plate, and can spin it for strikes whenever he wants. Pitchability, flashes some command, and some serious confidence in his ability is what makes Cowen so intriguing. However, the velo will need to tick up a bit in order to have serious draft consideration next spring." -Burton
|
 |
Logan Eisenreich RHP / OF / Paul VI, VA / 2024"Eisenreich is a Virginia Tech commit and threw a lot of big games against really tough opponents for the Panthers this spring. Shows two breaking balls, with his tight hard slider probably being the best at the moment." -Nolan "One of my main priorities early this spring will be to get out and see the Hokies commit. Could be one of the main follow arms in the Mid-Atlantic. Fastball has been up to 93, plenty of arm speed, and a firm low 80's slider that will garner plenty of interest. He logged a ton of innings last spring and it will be important for him be healthy and rested headed into the spring so he can be the best version of himself and hold up through the draft." -Burton
|
 |
Aiden Harris 3B / RHP / Manchester , VA / 2024"Harris is a Virginia commit and while two-way is a thing that is in the mix for him, its his absurd raw power that will draw scout's interest." -Nolan "This spring Harris struggled with swing and miss at times, but Harris tends to show up when the bright lights are on. His move to PDG will allow him to turn all of his focus on baseball and allow the player development piece to play a huge role in a step forward. Harris has the tools to be an impact, middle of the order bat, but will need to show improved contact rate throughout the fall and into the spring to continue to elevate his status for 2024. Very young for his class and that allows for some thoughts of remaining projection, to go along with some of the best raw power in the country." -Burton
|
 |
Austin Irby 3B / OF / Cox , VA / 2024"Irby is an ECU commit and has a pretty lefthanded swing that shows some present power and solid bat to ball." -Nolan "There is power present for the '24 ECU commit. Has some solid bat to ball skills and the biggest thing he will need to continue to do is produce in game power. Defensive profile says first base and potentially left field, but for both of those spots he will need to show some power numbers at the plate. Irby had a very strong showing at the Mid-Atlantic Procase, producing multiple loud barrels, and he will be a fun one to watch this fall and spring." -Burton
|
| |
James Nunnallee C / OF / Lightridge, VA / 2024"Nunnallee is a Virginia commit and is also a lefthanded hitter with a very fast bat and athleticism. Swing profile is similar to his offseason training partner, Jonny Farmelo, but he isn't as physical as Farmelo. Line drive gap to gap type hitter with feel for the barrel and contact." -Nolan "Defensively, Nunnallee is a primary catcher at the high school level, but with his speed and athleticism he may find himself in the outfield when it comes to him being a draft prospect. Thinner frame and not sure if the body will hold up at the college level, or beyond, for catching to stick. Not having seen the UVA commit much this spring and summer, paired with where will he land defensively, but this is an athletic left handed bat that could surge up this fall and moving into the spring." -Burton
|
 |
Alexander Peltier OF / Paul VI, VA / 2024"The 6-foot-1, 185-pound outfielder turned some heads at the Mid-Atlantic Procase. Long limbs, room to fill, and loud tools present. Above average runner (6.61), big arm strength in the outfield, and versatility in the outfield. Hands are short to contact and flashes some above average bat speed. During the spring I thought he was a little stiff and upright, but was in his legs a little more and seemed to be more athletic in his swing. Quality of contact could be a tipping point going forward and if he can show the ability to impact the baseball on a consistent basis, he could shoot up some follow lists." -Burton
|
 |
Jackson Sirois SS / RHP / Paul VI, VA / 2024"Sirois is a Virginia commit and was ranked a lot higher in the class before he lost a lot of his sophomore season with some health issues that have fortunately been resolved. He had a monster season at St. Paul VI and has arm strength and athleticism as well a quick bat that the ball explodes off of." -Nolan "6-foot, 170-pound athletic frame. Although he did not have the "top" infield velo at the Procase, he has solid arm strength from short. It is functional arm strength and treated his throws more game like. At the plate Sirois has higher set hands, direct to contact, and plenty of hand speed through the zone. Level path through the zone and a heavy barrel. Had some quality AB's in game that produced multiple hard hit balls that worked the middle of the field. Sirois has a quiet business like approach to his game and just seems to get it done when the lights are on." -Burton
|
 |
Lee Sowers SS / RHP / Douglas Freeman, VA / 2024"Compact framed left handed hitter with some sneaky juice in the bat. Second base profile and slightly below average runner for the position, but the power that he has flashed versus high level arms gets some people wondering what could be. I mostly get the chance to see the Virginia Tech commit during high school season, which produces a wide range of at bats in terms of the quality of arms he is seeing. There will be some quality arms that he will face in district this spring, so scouts will get a chance to see if he can replicate the power production from some of those summer AB's versus a similar level of arms." -Burton
|
| |
Cayden Suchy LHP / Dominion, VA / 2024"Suchy is a UConn commit who could end up being the best of this group. He was holding 88-89 in the sixth inning of the game that I saw him in late May and the spin has a chance." -Nolan "I have yet to see Suchy in person, but the video I have seen, I would have to agree with Nolan that this could end of being the best arm of the group. Three pitches for strikes, pitches into the low 90's, and tends to hold the velo. Think there is some starter profile here with Suchy, but the breaker will need to firm up as he continues to advance. Serviceable changeup in the low 80's and is a solid pitch that he can use to hitters from both sides." -Burton
|
 |
Dalton Wentz SS / RHP / Amherst County, VA / 2024"Wentz is a South Carolina commit and a legitimate two-way prospect. He is probably bat-first at the moment and he can stick as a switch hitter who accesses power from both sides while being athletic at short with a very strong arm." -Nolan "Wentz has had an up and down summer, but the maturity that he brings with his game tells me he will push through it and come out on top. Switch hitter with power from the left side and has shown a mature approach at the plate at times. Has polished actions in the infield and has arm strength to stay on the left side, although it will more than likely be third base. Has the power in the bat to carry value at the corners. Will need to continue to show improved bat to ball, which is where he struggled at times this summer, but I think the character and makeup will help him turn it around." -Burton
|
| |
Bradley Zayac RHP / 3B / Grassfield, VA / 2024"As the spring progressed, Zayac showed some big improvements on the mound and continues to grow into the 6-foot-3 frame. Quick arm and some durability to the frame. Upper 80's to low 90's arm with above average raw spin that is usually in the 2300-2500 range. Logged a lot of innings this spring and summer, but gained a ton of experience versus good competition along the way. The breaking ball continues to improve in shape and feel and if that can take the next step, Zayac could make a climb up some boards." -Burton
|
TIER 2 prospects:
These are players that are on the cusp. With an added tool, potentially more consistent production, or simply more looks from scouts, could possibly push them up into Tier 1.
 |
Charlie Brinkman C / OF / PDG Academy, VA / 2024"If you have been around this young man, you would be hard pressed to leave unimpressed. Great attitude, work ethic, and just outstanding makeup. Athletic behind the plate with some catch and throw ability. Feel like he is undoubtedly the best '24 catcher in VA/DC. Moves well enough that he can move to a corner outfield spot and handle himself just fine. Above average arm strength behind the plate and does a good job handling his pitchers. The offense has been streaky at times, but he has widened out the base and simplified the swing, which has helped the bat to ball rate. I think there are some things that the adjustment has taken away (i.e power and athleticism), but the contact rate has picked up, which has made the bat a little more steady." -Burton
|
 |
Elijah Coston OF / LHP / Benedictine, VA / 2024"Coston may have been the most intriguing name at the Mid-Atlantic Procase. A guy that not many scouts knew, or had seen. Had a strong start to the day with a 6.73 60, some loud BP, quick hands and bat speed through the zone, and showed a big arm in the outfield (93 mph). Coston is long and lanky with plenty of room to fill and has some twitch in his actions. The body and tools leave plenty to dream on and will be a guy that scouts will get eyes on again." -Burton
|
 |
Callum Early SS / 2B / James River (Midlothian), VA / 2024"I have loved Early's game for quite some time, but he had a little offensive funk towards the end of his spring season and into the summer. He looked passive and appeared to be trying to fill a prototypical leadoff role and setting the table. He got himself into tough counts and resulted in defensive swings and expanding the zone. At the Procase he looked like a completely different player. The biggest different I saw is that he looked free and attacked early in counts. That is the hitter I saw last year at Future Games and I believe that is the hitter that could allow him to gain some follows next spring. Solid bat to ball and a hit tool type of bat, with some sneaky pop to the pull side. Has the footspeed and actions to stay at short, with the main question being arm strength. The arm is serviceable and he has a quick exchange to release to give him a chance at short." -Burton
|
 |
Colin Gibbs SS / St. Johns , VA / 2024"Like some others, Gibbs was dinged up some last spring and I think that affected the output. Long and lanky 6-foot-3 frame. Above average runner, the swing plays from the left side, and has some positional versatility. Has shown some power from the left side and will just need to produce some of that extra base power in game more often." -Burton
|
 |
Cayman Goode SS / RHP / Douglas Freeman, VA / 2024"This one has really taken off in the last six months. Has shown some electric stuff at times. Fastball sits anywhere from 87-91 and has run it up a few ticks higher at times. The breaking ball has the makings of an already average to slightly above average pitch at the next level with spin RPM ranging from higher 2000's to low 3000's. Still lacks pitchability and rhythm on the mound, but this is an arm that teams could potentially see some upside with their ability to mold him into what they want. The stuff is there and if he adds some polish on the mound it will be an arm to follow." -Burton
|
 |
Marcus Martin SS / RHP / St. John's College, VA / 2024"Martin is a High Point commit who, like Eisenreich, threw in a lot of big games against tough opponents for the Cadets, there is a lot of depth of competitiveness in the WCAC." -Nolan "Martin is an really athletic player with some two-way potential, although the arm may carry more value than the positional profile right now. Right handed hitting infielder with above average run tool and arm strength across the infield. The bat has shown flashes of gap to gap doubles power. On the mound he has been up to 90-91, while pitching more in the 87-89 range. Has a upper 70's slider that is the go to secondary pitch and when it is on, he is tough to handle. With him having more reliever profile, there will have to be a velo jump, or the bat will really have to take over for him to shoot up into that next tier of prospects." -Burton
|
 |
Carter Richardson OF / 2B / Tunstall, VA / 2024"This was one of my favorite pickups by any school last summer (Radford). The Tunstall product stands 5-foot-10, 170-pounds with lean, proportional strength that is visible throughout. Well above average runner who turned out a 6.59 60 at the Procase. Above average arm strength from the outfield (91 mph) with the range and ability to project to centerfield. Has some sneaky pop in the bat, but is more doubles power and uses his speed to stretch an extra bag. Tooled out, solid makeup, and defensive value." -Burton
|
 |
Tanner Schaedel 3B / RHP / Cape Henry Collegiate , VA / 2024"Schaedel won basically every award you could win this year. Tidewater Player of the Year, VISAA Division I Player of the Year, TCIS Player of the Year, and the list goes on. Ridiculous year from the ODU commit and he produced absurd numbers on both sides of the ball. While I think he is a bat first, the arm is intriguing also. Upper 80's arm that can run it up in the 90-92 range and competes in the zone. Offensively, he just impacts the baseball on a consistent basis. He had one of the best rounds of BP at the Procase and produced some absurd numbers in distance, exit velocity, as well as pretty big numbers on Blast. Where does he fit best positionally and how much value does that carry will be one of the main questions moving into the spring." -Burton
|
 |
Adam Troch OF / St. John's College, VA / 2024"Simply put, he can handle the bat. Was the best hitter I saw for the Cadets this spring and summer. Left handed hitter with feel for the barrel, low swing and miss rate, uses the whole field, can bunt for hits, and is an above average runner. Produces turns in the 4.3 range and shows the footspeed to stay in center. The load and pre-pitch movements lack fluidity, but the swing is so simple and repeatable it allows his bat to ball rate to maintain at a high rate." -Burton
|