Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Virginia Fall Open: Upperclass Top Performers

October 4, 2023
Staff
PBR Virginia/DC

Follow @PBRVirginiaDC 
Facebook + Instagram

See video and notes on nearly a dozen players that had strong performances at the Virginia Fall Open.

 

Upperclass Top Performers

Conner Cliborne RHP / Dinwiddie, VA / 2024

Big,, strong, and a fairly low miles arm. Cliborne has been dinged up at times and that has slowed his progression, but we have seen him a little more frequently, in short stints, and he has been pretty solid. Proportional strength, upright delivery, and lands slightly closed moving down the mound. There is above average effort to the delivery and would say there is more middle to back end reliever profile right now. Two pitch mix and attacks hitters looking to finish counts early. The fastball sits mid 80's and will run it up to the 87-88 range earlier in an outing. Again, this is a low miles arm that has some polish to add, but has real strength to the frame and has made some nice strides in a short time. 

 

 

Aidan Dickerson RHP / Deep Run, VA / 2024

One of the better pitching performances on the weekend. Not an overpowering arm, but you're gonna have to beat the spin in order to beat him. Threw probably 60%+ sliders and kept hitters off balance, locating the breaker to both sides. Moved it in and out and his ability to consistently land spin, allowed the upper 70's fastball to play a tick quicker. 

 

 

 

Hunter Layhew SS / RHP / Archbishop Curley, MD / 2024

There may not have been a more well put together player this past weekend. Physical, athletic, and present strength that translates into the offense. Advanced bat speed, accelerates through contact, and uses the middle of the field well. Was really impressed by the offensive upside of this senior.

 

 

Dawson Newman LHP / OF / Great Bridge , VA / 2024

The Great Bridge senior was strong in his start on Sunday. Low to mid 80's, sank the fastball and force action on the top half of the ball, and threw two offspeed pitches for strikes. Competitor who brings some athleticism and pitchability to the mound.

 

 

Dillon O'Connor UTILITY / Miller School, VA / 2025

Listed at 6-foot-4 and is every bit of it. XL frame, proportional, and still think he has some projection left. Slower pace that builds some late intent and effort. Lands closed down the mound after a down and out stride. Short quick three-quarter arm and there is some deception to the arm swing. Late this summer the Miller School righty was low 80's and has since made a really nice jump in the velo department. Has had some pitchability with the stuff he has had, but it is a sizable jump for him, with his velo creeping up to 88 this weekend. Slider has some solid arm speed and is an average offering right now. Velo held fairly well deeper into his outing and he showed some ability to create some angle on the fastball to the glove side. A definite arm to keep an eye on.

 

 

Malachi Paschal RHP / Charlottesville, VA / 2024

Another strong outing for the Charlottesville HS product. We have talked at length about Paschal's ability to get outs and pitch, but I think it is still understated. While they are very different, I can't help but think about fellow '24, Cooper Campbell. Does not have the big velo on the mound, but when he steps out there, you know what you are going to get. Competes in the zone and just wins. Two-three years from now this has the chance to be a 85-88 arm, or better, and if he wins on a consistent basis now at 80-83, I will take that projection and watch him win a lot of games over the next few years. 

 

 

Daniel Junior Powell C / OF / Randolph Henry, VA / 2024

Showed really well behind the plate for the Dirtbags. Active thrower with average arm strength, but a quick release and accurate arm allows him to slow the opposing running game. Contact/hit tool type of bat with line drive tendencies. One of the better catch and throw performances out of a catcher this weekend.

 

 

Austin Sealing SS / RHP / Archbishop Curley, MD / 2024

What a weekend Sealing had. Multiple homeruns on Saturday, made a number of big plays at shortstop, and had a pair of solid performances on the mound. Low to mid 80's arm with a lot going on in the delivery, which can cause some deception for hitters. Sharp downer breaking ball that has some finishing traits. Probably made his biggest impact at the plate this weekend. Strength to middle and pull and still has some room to add strength to the frame.

 

 

Aidan Watts RHP / 1B / Walter Johnson, MD / 2024

6-foot-3, 195-pound frame with broad shoulders and room to fill. Shorter arm that sort of sticks at the top and then generates plenty of arm speed through release. Because it is a sort of stop and go arm swing, the mid-upper 80's fastball tends to jump on hitters. Slider is more show right now, but the fastball can play at the next level and has room to grow in the secondary development.

 

 

Michael Wingo Jr RHP / SS / Varina, VA / 2024

Wingo had a solid weekend at the plate producing multiple extra-base hits. Hit .600 on the weekend with five doubles. Doubles power to both gaps with a little extra to the pull side. Tall and narrow setup, lands on line, and short level path to contact. One of the better tournaments in terms of offensive production.

 

 

Jacob Wright OF / OF / Western Branch, VA / 2024

No need to continue to go in too much detail on the Lynchburg commit, as it has been a well documented story this summer and now fall. Wright continued his torrid pace at the plate this weekend. He is the key to the Thunderbirds offense because he sets the tone early from the leadoff spot. Bat to ball, uses the whole field, and accurate barrel.