Follow @PBRVirginiaDC 
Facebook + Periscope + Instagram

This spring we take a different approach to the unveiling of our Preseason Power25 teams across the commonwealth/DC. Instead of one full release, we will be doing a countdown starting today and running all the way to the beginning of the high school season. Over the course of the next 2.5 weeks, we will be counting down our preseason top 25.

VA/DC Preseason Power25: No. 3 - Miller School Mavericks

Preseason Rank: 3
Level: VISAA D-II
Head Coach: Billy Wagner (8th Season)
2018: 25-8, VISAA D-II Champions

Top Players 

 Ethan Chenault, SS/RHP, 2020 (UNC-Wilmington)
Jeremy Wagner, OF, 2020 (Austin Peay)
Jack Marshall, 1B, 2020 (pictured)

X-Factor  

Jack Masloff LHP 2019 (VCU), Garrett Payne RHP 2020 (NC State) - These two new faces to the team should play a big role within a deep pitching staff for the Mavericks. After losing key Stuart Barrett and Ethan Murray to graduation last year, these two arms look like they will fill in for the Mavericks and play a key role in the success of 2019.  

Key Players Lost

Ethan Murray
Adam Hackenberg
Stuart Barrett

Outlook

Normally losing three key components to a team from the previous season would make for a tough way to rebuild the following season, but the Miller Mavericks have retooled and look poised as a front runner for the VISAA D-II Champions.

Offensively, Miller will be paced by three of their top hitters returning in 2020's Jeremy Wagner, Ethan Chenault, and Jack Marshall. These three will more than likely make up for three of the top four spots in the order this spring for the Mavericks as they combined for an impressive .377 batting average in over 250 at-bats last spring. Marshall is a scrappy lead-off hitter for the Mav's and is one of the toughest outs in the state with his bat control from the left side. Wagner is another impressive hitter for the Mavericks who will hit for high average with gap power and excellent balance at the plate. Chenault is a very athletic middle infielder who has a short swing a bat speed while his highest potential might be on the mound, where we will talk about him a bit later. Also returning to the offense will be 2020 Henry Hardie, who should also have a role towards the top of the order and adds a solid stick to the lineup. 2019 Nate Burton (Mary Washington) returns as well and should build off his junior year and add strong depth to the lineup. Don't be surprised if you see a potential breakout year from OF 2020 Luke Adams who has a lot of physicality and strength with explosive bat speed from the right side. Another physical specimen in the middle of the lineup should be 2019 Jack Carey (pictured, right) who will add strength from the left side and should build off a nice junior season in a bigger role this spring. Lucas Knight also returns and the speedy backstop will add a nice hitter to the back end of the lineup and should also build off a solid spring last year and will see time both behind the plate and in the outfield this spring. Keep an eye out for 2021 Vince Dileonardo, 2021 Jacob Exum, and 2023 Noah Murray to add some depth to the lineup and see time as well.

On the mound, Chenault will assume the ace role this spring. Chenault had an impressive spring last year for the Mavericks and has a lanky projectable frame with quick twitch and projection for more. He has a live fastball that will get up to the lower 90's at times while combining a very good breaking ball. He should be poised to have a solid spring for Miller this year. Key's to the success this spring will be two new faces, transfers 2019 LHP Jack Masloff (VCU) and 2020 RHP Garrett Payne (NC State). Expect both to be key contributors on the staff and round out the rotation this spring. Payne will bring an imposing presence on the mound with his 6-foot-7 frame coming off of basketball season, so expect to see his role expand as he gets into baseball shape. Masloff is an athletic framed lefty with a nice fastball breaking ball combo who will pitch in the mid 80's. Depth is a strength for the Mavericks as they will also have filling out the staff 2019 LHP Matt Sykes (George Mason), Burton, 2020 LHP Simon Lewellen, and 2020 RHP Ian Haney.

Per usual, the Mavericks open their season facing off against some extremely tough competition down south to prepare for their conference / state run. Look for them again to be a top team in VISAA and contend for their third straight D-II championship. 

 

MORE PRESEASON POWER25