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Virginia Fall Open: Underclass Top Performers

October 9, 2023
Staff
PBR Virginia/DC

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

 

Underclass Top Performers

Alex Awad MIF / RHP / Glen Allen, VA / 2026

Long thin frame with long levers. Longer arm swing with some whip through release and projection still left in the frame and stuff. The low 80's fastball has some hop through the zone and got some chases up. The fastball also played up just a tick due to his ability to land a bigger shaped breaking ball that sat in the 66-67 range. Intriguing arm to follow. 

 

 

Andrew Bezak OF / RHP / Good Counsel, MD / 2027

One of the top players on the Junior Future Games Team Mid-Atlantic had a standout weekend for US Elite. Compact frame, athletic, and proportional strength. Shorter stroke at the plate and showed some adjustability in the swing. Used the whole field in approach and takes what is given at the plate. 

 

 

Avik Cherry SS / 2B / Broadneck, MD / 2027

If there was an Underclass MVP to be named, it is probably Cherry. The Junior Future Games alum simply did not miss at the plate. High set hands, short and quick with above average hand speed and an accurate barrel. Simple and balanced, gets the foot down on time, and is able to repeat the swing. Love this bat and his ability to produce consistent barrels in game. 

 

 

Jalen German RHP / 1B / Trinity Episcopal , VA / 2026

Seems like German finds a different way to impress each and every tournament. The past few weeks, the stuff on the mound has been slightly inconsistent, but he was much better this week. Mid 80's and up to 88 on the mound and was much more consistent in the zone. While the slider still lack shape and depth at times, he showed a better feel for the zone with the pitch. Was very efficient in the zone and attacked from the first pitch. 

As strong as he was on the mound on Sunday, German displayed his physical strength at the plate as well. Strong wrists, can muscle mishit balls for extra bases, and has raw untapped power that has a chance to play to all fields. While I still think he is an arm first, he does have the ability to impact the high school game at the plate.

 

 

Jayden Grant RHP / SS / Manchester, VA / 2026

Grant continues to take massive strides. Fastball/slider, attacks, pitches, and has the stuff to be the frontline arm for Manchester this year. Grant could be one of the best underclass arms in Richmond this year and will be a hot commodity heading into next summer. 

 

 

Leo Holt C / SS / Yorktown, VA / 2026

Shorter arm action that sort of posts up on the backside, but manages to generate some solid arm speed through release. High three-quarter arm slot and the low-mid 80's fastball plays at the top and bottom of the zone. Some depth to the low 70's slider and arm speed on the changeup. Interesting arm that still has some room to mature. 

 

 

Zorro Hott CF / Atlee, VA / 2026

Listed at 5-foot-10, 150-pounds, Hott appears to possess a little bit more strength than the listed frame would suggest. Wider base, toe tap load, foot gets down on time, and a level path through the zone. Worked gap to gap in approach and has some carry to the middle. 

 

 

Eli Hulette SS / 2B / James River (Midlothian), VA / 2027

James River (Midlothian) looks to have another athletic left handed hitting shortstop on the way. Rhythm in the hands, adjustability in the swing, and has shown some accuracy with the barrel. Really liked the hit tool and athleticism to this young middle infielder. 

 

 

Bryce Krines 2B / RHP / Hanover, VA / 2026

Compact and athletic frame from the Hanover sophomore. Long loose arm, three-quarter slot, and fairly normal effort. Low 80's with the fastball that he creates some angle with to the glove side. Lands slightly closed and that forces him to work slightly around that fastball and creating the angle away from right handed hitters. Slurvy breaking ball that he can land for strikes. 

 

 

Judah Parks RHP / Manchester, VA / 2026

Works with energy and pace. Lower lift and gets into the backside moving down the mound. Shorter arm swing and works from a three-quarter arm slot. Showed some deception with the short arm swing and the low-mid 80's fastball tended to jump on hitters. Average feel for a slider that sat in the low 70's and had a tendency to backup. 

 

 

Jackson Rosales OF / RHP / MILLER SCHOOL OF ALBEMARLE, VA / 2026

Rosales has long had the physical makeup to make him at the very least, an intriguing follow. On Sunday he was able to translate some of that physicality into the offense. Very short to contact, more rotational load with minimal separation, and is able to generate some bat speed from that shorter path. Used the whole field in terms of production and results on Sunday, but showed a little extra juice to the pull side. Long term, probably more corner outfield projection and will need to continue to show some of that power production. Moving into the 2026 class, Rosales quickly becomes one of the more physical, well put-together pieces in the class. 

 

 

Braeden Shores CF / RHP / Monacan, VA / 2026

Long, thin, wiry frame. Higher slot, effort, and leverages the fastball with some downhill plane. The fastball sits low 80's and there is more there, especially as he adds some mass/weight to the frame. Tight downer slider with average feel and is more of a finisher. Will need to continue to develop the secondary, but the arm speed and frame leave plenty to dream on. 

 

 

John Michael Szefc SS / 2B / Miller , VA / 2026

Quietness to his game, but produced consistent, loud results in game this weekend. Left handed hitter with a solid hit tool and shows the ability to adjust in counts and take what is given. Wider base, small lift to stride, stays on line, and simple path through the zone with an accurate barrel. Thought Szefc showed as one of the best hitters we saw this weekend. Not really a big, loud tools type of player, but just plays. Doubles power, uses the whole field, consistent defender in the dirt, and just seems to show up when the lights come on. Really good look this weekend and should be a big piece for the Mavericks this spring. 

 

 

Kason Wagner 3B / RHP / Miller School , VA / 2026

Not a big overpowering arm on the mound, but is a fierce competitor, challenges, and wins. Normal effort, down and out delivery, normal length on the arm swing, and three-quarter arm slot. At the plate, left handed hitter, short to contact, pulls the hands in on the inner half and gets the barrel to the ball. While it is typically a hit tool/contact bat, he showed some sneaky juice getting into a ball to the pull side in the championship game. 

 

 

Aidan Walker MIF / N/A, VA / 2026

This Jamestown HS infielder made multiple plays for the Venom in pool play. Was very intriguing in the dirt and showed up at the plate as well. Athletic and balanced at the plate, worked mostly gap to gap when we saw him, and a simple repeatable swing that stayed inside the baseball. While the hit tool will continue to develop as he adds strength and matures, the defense flashed well above average for his age. 

 

 

Noah Washington C / Fluvanna County, VA / 2027

Easily the most intriguing in state 2027 that we saw this weekend was Noah Washington. Long athletic frame that will hold solid strength. Left handed hitting catchers are a premium and he fits the bill. Barrel control, repeats and adjusts, and shows some future power potential to the pull side. While the future power potential is intriguing, the ability to hit is advanced. Few young bats show the ability to consistently produce loud contact and use the whole field in the process. Is a no doubt follow going forward.