2025 VA/DC High School Impact Players
March 19, 2025
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When we look at Impact Players, we think about players that have a major impact on their team. Besides these players being really good players, these are individuals that if removed from their team, the team would take a significant hit in terms of production. These players could be the ace arm on a staff that lacks pitching depth, they could be a big bat in a lineup that maybe lacks depth or production, or potentially a two-way player that has big production on both sides of the ball. While there are plenty of players that potentially fit this mold, these are ten that stood out amongst their peers.
IMPACT PLAYERS
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Luke Alexander | 2025 | RHP |
Riverbend |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players.Alexander's impact to this Riverbend team is significant. Last spring he gave them a frontline arm that they could lean on to give them quality starts each time out, especially against high powered offenses, and that led them to a state tournament appearance. He brings a quiet confidence on the mound that attacks the strike zone with multiple pitches. Without Alexander's ability to win big games and be a consistent presence on the modun, this Riverbend team does not quite look the same.
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Julius Bagnerise | 2025 | SS |
Colgan |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players.The impact that Bagnerise brings to this Colgan team is irreplaceable. It is hard to find a twitchy athlete that is an advanced runner, advanced defender, and can hit for average with some occasional power. He brings all of that to the table for the Colgan Sharks. He is the tablesetter for this offense and he can make things happen in multiple facets of the game, whether it is a play at shortstop, or having a clutch hit at the plate. His speed is a gamechanger on both sides and that makes him a threat at all times. His impact is vital for this Colgan team's success.
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Sy Crider | 2025 | C |
Broadway |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players.You want your catcher to have a big impact on your team and Crider fits that criteria for Broadway. He has some big responsibilities behind the dish, as well as being a big contributor in the heart of the order. One of the top hitters in the 2025 VA/DC class has a combination of bat to ball skills, power, and zone awareness. To go along with the skills that he brings offensively, he can be more than servicable behind the dish managing a pitching staff, as well as managing the run game. He is the key to the car that is this Broadway team.
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Casey Cuddyer | 2026 | SS |
Great Bridge |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players.Cuddyer cemented himself as one of the top players in the 757, as he had a breakout sophomore year for the Great Bridge Wildcats. His offense is a headache for opposing pitchers, he has bat to ball skills with high IQ that seems to make him one step ahead. His tremendous feel for the game is really hard to teach at this stage. He is instinctive with fluid actions at shortstop that gives him the ability to make defensive plays. Where Cuddyer makes his biggest impact is it seems he has that clutch gene. When you watch him you get a feeling he is a low pulse performer that is able to rise to the occasion because of his ability to slow things down. Cuddyer's combination of offensive impact and ability to step up in big spots is crucial for Impact Players.
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Michael Gambone | 2026 | LHP |
Centreville |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players.Gambone has made an impact for a couple years now for Centreville and the output continues to grow every year. He gives them a frontline arm that has experience that gives you a sense of comfortablility of knowing what you are going to get night in and night out. He is going to compete on the mound, fill up the zone, and mix pitches. To go along with what he does on the mound, he can be a contributor offensively as well. Although it will quite possibly be on the mound for him long term, his impact offensively will be just as important for Centreville. Without Gambone, this Wildcat team lacks that true ace that will allow them to make a deep run.
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Porter Gobble | 2025 | RHP/IF |
John S. Battle |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players.Gobble has been a staple for this team for a few years now, but this year will be bigger than ever heading into his final season. He will be the guy on the mound that they will go to, to log big innings and take the mound in those big games. When he isn't on the mound he is fulfilling his duties in the infield. Gobble is a key guy up the middle, as well as being a producer in the middle of the order. Just the game in and game out duties that he takes on makes a huge impact on this Battle team.
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Henry Knighton | 2025 | RHP |
St. Christopher's |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players.Knighton has put himself in the conversation of one of the top pitchers in the Richmond area. He is a competitor on the mound that fills up the zone and knows how to get outs. His impact on this team is huge because he is an arm that you can rely on to take the mound in big games. There isn't a lot of frontline arm depth for this St. Christopher's team, so what he is able to bring to this Saints team is invaluable.
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Tristan Lange | 2026 | RHP/IF |
North Cross |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players.There might not be a more impactful player in the state for their team than Tristan Lange. He put up video game numbers last spring that either was the reason they won, or the reason they were in the game. He works with a quick pace and tends to overpower hitters with his arsenal. North Cross lacks depth on the mound, so each quality start that Lange gives them is absolutely vital to their ability to compete in games.
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Aydan Smith | 2025 | RHP/IF |
Monacan |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players.
Smith has been an enormously valuable piece to Chiefs. He has been a do-it-all guy for them for a few years now. While the Charleston Southern commit has been a mainstay in the infield for them, the value he has brought to Monacan on the mound is hard to describe. He can get on the mound and give you quality innings and put you in a good spot to win every single night. The way he impacts the game in a variety of ways is extremely important to this Chiefs team. |
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Matthew Swanson | 2026 | RHP |
Walsingham |
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+ Click here for notes & video on the Impact Players. |
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