2025 VA/DC High School Breakouts
March 18, 2025
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From year to year the expectation changes as rosters evolve. More weight is placed on certain parts of a team and the individuals inside the ever-changing high school roster. In addition to all of the internal changes that happen in a high school program, players develop at different rates. This list below is a list of players that our staff believes have the capability and are in position to have big breakout seasons. Some have taken major personal jumps, some have larger roles than they have in the past, and some are coming off of injuries. Regardless of the reasoning, we feel as though these ten players are in prime position for a potential big year in 2025.
SPRING BREAKOUT PERFORMERS
*Players are listed in alphabetical order.*
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Aaron Dierks | 2026 | RHP |
West Springfield |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Dierks has had some time to mature and grow into a program that annualy, is a very upperclass heavy program. Some of the arms have graduated and between Dierks and Milo Thompson, he should get a fair share of big innings this spring. The stuff continues to make strides forward and the secondary could be the separator for him this spring. While Dierks has had some flashes in the past, we anticipate Dierks to be a frontline arm for the Spartans this spring. |
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Chase Dorsey | 2026 | SS |
Madison |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Dorsey got some time last year as a sophomore, which is tough to do in a program like Madison. He took some of that learning and growth from the spring into the summer where he showed flashes of having a change to be yet another special talent for the Warhawks. With the core of the Vienna based power returning, Dorsey will have a chance to have some protection in the lineup, which could allow for some breakout performances this spring. He has the tools, he has the physical makeup, and he is at a program that has a history of solid player development. |
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Tripp Faison | 2026 | C/OF |
Cox |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.While Faison was a starter for the Falcon Boys last spring, he was not really relied on for run production, or big offensive numbers. While he does not offer dynamic offense like the bats of former Falcons Austin Irby and Parker Wight, he can do it in a variety of ways and is a versatile piece for Cox. When we saw him he spent the majority of his time in center, but he can also contribute behind the plate. Since the fall, it seems like every time we see Faison, he is on base, getting hits, or impacting the game with his energy and motor. We anticipate the numbers to take a significant stride forward this spring, resulting in a breakout year for the uncommitted Faison. |
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Giacomo Franco | 2026 | LHP |
Grassfield |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.While Grassfield lost frontline arm Bradley Zayac to graduation, Franco returns for the Grizzlies. The Richmond commit will certainly make his fair share of contributions at the plate, but it is on the mound where he will possibly make the biggest jump in production. He was one of their most consistent arms last spring and did it in some tough spots when we saw him, piggy-backing games with Zayac. It allowed him to mature, as well as throw versus some of the best competition. Franco has an understanding and feel to pitch, while having solid stuff to compliment the pitchability. Make no mistake about it, he is their #1 on the mound and his numbers will more than likely show that. |
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Caelan Goodwin-Slater | 2025 | RHP |
Woodbridge |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Right now, Goodwin-Slater is one of the more talked about NOVA players heading into the spring. The strides that he has made in the past year make him a prime candidate for a breakout spring. The velo has ticked up, spin continues to be the separator, and with Ellerts gone, he should no doubt be Woodbridge's ace. He will certainly make contributions on the offensive side, but on the mound is where he will shine the most. Adding to his uptick in stuff, the Vikings have their multi-year starting catcher returning in Kory Barbier and that should only add to Goodwin-Slaters comfortability on the mound. |
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Jack Keane | 2025 | RHP |
Washington-Liberty |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.In the state, Keane has one of the better combinations of power and athleticism. He is a sub-seven runner, has present raw power at the plate, and has a chance to show some power stuff on the mound this spring. Keane was banged up last spring and if healthy, he should absolutely be a household name when it comes to big springs. Looking at the long term, anyone remember the last XL framed NOVA arm that made late jumps and ended up at Bucknell out of high school? Ryan Osinski. Yes, the Osinski who has been up to 100 mph this spring at UVA. While we are not saying Keane will be 100 mph at any point, he has had a similar path and progression, but is more athletic and more versatile at the same time. |
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Gavin Knox | 2027 | RHP |
Colgan |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Knox was thrusted into some big innings as a freshman last spring. He did share some of the important games, but most of that help has since graduated. Leaving Knox as one of the lone arms with the ability to lead the Sharks back into a deep playoff run. He is a mid-upper 80's arm that flashed some solid secondary stuff early last spring when we saw him. The Sharks have added some offense and positional depth that should take some of the weight off of Knox. If he can be efficient with his work load and maintain his health through the spring, he has a chance to have a really strong year. |
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Blake LaMattina | 2027 | IF/RHP |
Cosby |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.For a freshman, LaMattina had a really solid year, but he was surrounded by a lineup/roster that was loaded with freshmen. While he did hit in the middle of the order, there was probably not a huge expectation for a breakout year as a freshman. This year, he will be a centerpiece for that Cosby lineup, as well as a big piece on the mound. While we do not know if he will play short or not, it is probably safe to say that he will be on the left side in some capacity. If Cosby wants to make it back to the state tournament, the expectation and need for him to have a big year certainly increases from last year. He has shown the ability to handle top tier arms and the stuff on the mound has taken a step forward as well. |
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Bryce Neely | 2025 | OF |
St. Christopher's |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.Maybe more appropriate in a "Comeback Player of the Year" category, Neely is healthy and ready for a big spring. Neely has as good a set of tools as any positional player in the state, and when they show up, they show up in a big and loud way. He has legitimate power to run the ball out of the yard at any time and already showed that one opening weekend. If Neely can get to the barrel on an even somewhat frequent basis, we could see an 8+ homerun season, as well as the ability to swipe bags and cover some serious ground in centerfield. |
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Bryce Torres | 2026 | SS |
Liberty Christian |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Player of the Year candidate.In an offense that potentially needs some production, Torres could be the guy to provide that. He has proven his value and skillset in the infield, but with a potential fully healthy season coming his way, Torres could really take another step forward. Before being banged up, he had shown solid bat to ball, ability to hit in multiple counts, and can impact the game on the bases as well. Torres will be a vital part of this LCA lineup this spring and his mature approach at the plate could allow him to put up some big numbers for the Bulldogs. |
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