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VA/DC Scout Blog: PDG Academy

September 15, 2023
Jason Burton
Scouting Director PBR Virginia/DC

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Our staff had an opportunity to see two games on back to back days. Now we take a look at some notes and video on nine players from the PDG Academy team.

 

PDG Academy:

Evan Amos RHP / PDG Academy, VA / 2025

Large 6-foot-5 frame with proportional strength. Slower paced build up in the delivery, medium length to the arm swing, and works from a three-quarter arm slot. Above average arm speed and really easy effort throughout the delivery. It was only one inning of work, but almost seemed like it was a light, touch and feel pen where he dialed it back some. The fastball was 83-85 and touched 86, while he turned over a changeup at 74-76 mph. Showed what appeared to be a slider at 71 mph, but it was more fastball/changeup in his short work. Good body, arm works, gets some run on the fastball, and shows some feel for the changeup. Will be interested to see an extended, ramped up outing from the NC State commit.

 

 

 

Will Barone 1B / PGD Academy, NY / 2024

Probably the offensive highlight of day two at PDG. Had some of the best BP that we saw in the two days we were in Fredericksburg. Quiet and simple stroke that gets through the zone with some bat speed and strength through contact. Worked more gap to gap during BP with some carry to both. Appears to be a solid athlete for a first baseman, with some potential ability to contribute in the corner outfield spots. 

 

 

Dalton Blades RHP / PDG academy , VA / 2024

Our staff saw Blades a month ago at the Mid-Atlantic Procase. While that outing saw the velo a tick higher, I thought he showed more pitchability on Wednesday. Slider was a touch firmer, had better feel for the zone, and flashed some promise with a upper 70's changeup that he got a few whiffs on. The frame projects, normal effort to the delivery, and the control and secondary continue to make gains. 

 

 

Aiden Harris 3B / Manchester , VA / 2024

The UVA commit continued to show his offensive upside. Loud barrels in BP and a few in game. While he did not face any elite arms, he took care of business versus the ones that he did face. Loud barrel to centerfield, multiple hits, showed some patience throughout AB's, and got the barrel on when he swung. The raw power is undeniable and if the ability to hit can continue to make gains, he should continue to climb as we approach the spring. 

 

 

 

Donavan Jeffrey 1B / PDG Academy, VA / 2025

Probably the best bat speed during BP in the two days. Shorter to contact, barrel accelerates quickly, and has plenty of power that he will continue to grow into, especially during game play. At times he seemed passive, but managed to put together a few quality swings. Just missed one in his first at bat, where he fouled it straight back, then walked in his next two at bats. In his final at bat he barreled a ball right at the third baseman. Played outfield, which I think is huge for the Miami commit. Is more of a watch runner than game runner, but getting him comfortable in the outfield will potentially bring more of that athleticism to the surface and add some positional value. 

 

 

Myles Mayse C / PDG Academy, VA / 2025

First time seeing the Oklahoma commit, with Mayse just moving to PDG from Texas. Switch hitting catcher that is has a thick and strong lower half. The swing from the left side was shorter and quicker through the zone and I thought he had a little more barrel accuracy during BP, as opposed to the right side, which I thought had a longer swing path. On the left side he seemed to stay connected a little longer and produced more bat speed through the zone. From the right side the barrel got a little detached on the turn and had some uphill path to it. 

 

 

 

Ryan Perkins RHP / PDG Academy, VA / 2024

Large 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. Normal effort delivery, full arm swing, and a slightly lower-three quarter slot. The fastball sat 86-87 and touched 89 one time in his one inning of work. I thought there was a little more pitchability to Perkins during this short outing. Seemed to be more confident and consistent in the zone, misses were competitive, and the slider showed improved shape and feel. Short look, but a good look nonetheless. 

 

 

Joey Raccuia SS / PDG Academy, VA / 2025

First thing that sticks out about Raccuia is the defense. Solid angles of approach to set up throws, left foot gets down in rhythm, and showed soft hands. Liked the way he moved and how he approached the catch. Offensively, it is a contact bat, line drives, uses the middle/gap to gap, and the offense will continue to progress as he gets stronger. Not a big set of flashy tools, but is a solid defender with some bat to ball skills. During in game at bats he was very aggressive early in counts. Aggressive and ambush fastballs early to help with the hit tool type of bat. Will make some nice leaps as he gets stronger. 

 

 

 

Gio Rodriguez MIF / PDG Academy, VA / 2024

Rodriguez is a switch hitting shortstop with some flash and flare with the glove. Easy to see the defensive upside. Quick exchange out of the glove, shorter arm action, and shows some athleticism while on the move. Offensively, it is a contact bat that is probably more singles with some occasional doubles power. After seeing him from both sides in game, feel like the right handed side is a little more natural. I don't mind the swing from the left side, it just doesn't seem to flow quite as well as the right side. Thought there was a touch more bat speed and strength through contact from the right side. Medium leg lift from both sides and did a solid job staying centered and not drifting into the swing from that lift and hang. Athletic middle infielder with a defense first profile.