Spring Forward: RVA Teams to Watch
January 22, 2020
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Welcome to 2020 and the return of our Spring Forward series. While it may still be mid-January, the high school season is just around the corner, with public school tryouts beginning in a little over a month. In February, we will begin our detailed season preview, including Region breakdowns, Power 25 reveal, and the Preseason All-PBR Team. In the meantime, we will begin gearing up for the season by highlighting some storylines that we are keeping our eyes on this spring in this series.
This week, we will be looking at the strongest teams on paper for the upcoming season. Many of these teams will end up in our Preseason Power 25, some will not, but nonetheless these are teams that we think are loaded with talent and have a chance to make a run at a State Championship in 2020. We will get into more detail on these teams and teams not discussed here in our upcoming Season Preview. Today we will discuss teams from the Richmond area, where there are a few standouts this spring and a handful of teams that could put it together and make a run.
Benedictine
The defending VISAA Division I State Champions lost a lot of production from their 2019 team, but will bring back some very big pieces for 2020. Recent UVA commit Jay Woolfolk should lead the way for the Cadets on the mound, in the outfield, and at the plate. Bennett Lloyd (Hampden-Sydney) played a big part for Benedictine last year and looks to build upon that this year with his two-way ability. Jack Anderson (Army) threw some innings for the Cadets last year and will probably play a bigger part on the mound this year with a few departures off the 2019 staff. Lastly, look for Matthew Sylvia and Jack Hall, who both produced big offensive numbers in 2019, to play a big part in the top half of this order. Benedictine has some quality front end arms on this team, but they play a very tough schedule and this could allow them to develop some nice young arms they have coming up. If those young arms can contribute meaningful innings and get up to speed with the likes of Woolfolk, Lloyd, and Anderson then look out for the Cadets in the playoffs.
James River (Midlothian)
Coming off of a loss to eventual state champion Lake Braddock in the 6A State Semi’s, the Rapids return the bulk of their lineup and pitching staff in 2020. With a couple of big offensive weapons in Alex Balisteri (JMU), Will Riley (VMI), and Ty Swaim (VMI) the Rapids should have no problem producing offense just like they did in 2019. Connelly Early (Army) and Ryan Portes (Hampden-Sydney) make a very nice 1-2 punch on the mound, as well as throwing in seniors Ryan Margatek and Alex Balisteri into the rotation/bullpen James River (Midlothian) should have the arms to limit the offensive production of their opponents. The Rapids should be exciting to watch this spring and have a legitimate shot at hoisting the hardware in June.
Lee-Davis
Lee-Davis’ 2019 season ended with an extra inning walk-off to senior laden Deep Run, but the Confederates will be back and better in 2020. Not only does Lee-Davis return the majority of their team, minus Zach Lass (Richmond), but they could also possibly benefit from a reclassification into 4A. They return senior infielders Carter Trice (ODU) and Cole Jenkins (VMI), as well as adding recent UMass-Amherst commit Brett Allen. Jalen Strattman, Dallas Hairfield, Caden Plummer, and CJ DiNapoli should contribute to the offense as well as on the mound. With Lass graduating the catching spot will be one of the few unknowns, but they have a very strong option in Michael Joyce (JMU) waiting in the wings. Connor Sorokowski along with Brett Allen could be the two front end arms for Lee-Davis, and as noted above, they have plenty of firepower to come out of the bullpen. This is as deep a staff and lineup as there is around and everyone needs to watch this team this spring as they try to get back to the Lee-Davis of old.
Steward
Steward’s 2019 was ended when they faced off with Miller School in the VISAA Division II semifinals. The Spartans had key departures in Logan Ransom and William Glazebrook (UNC-Pembroke), but will return a solid pitching staff that always features a few lefties that can keep opposing offenses at bay. Senior left hander Harrison Clifton (Richmond) should lead the way for the Spartans on the mound and will get some help from fellow senior left hander Matt Gaither (CNU). Offensively Steward has sophomores Owen DeShazo (Boston College) and Andrew Schmeer that should provide some firepower in the lineup and some defensive consistency up the middle of the field. Freshman Michael Shamus returns to third base this year and brings some offensive potential to a lineup that will need to produce some runs. Steward may have some bumps in the road early, but if the Spartans pitching staff can grow and develop some depth then look for them to be a force late in the year.
Honorable Mention
Clover Hill, Hanover, Midlothian, Thomas Dale, Mills Godwin, St. Christopher's
More 2020 Spring Forward