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For the next two weeks we will roll out our Preseason Power 25. Three staff members voted on their version of the thirty best teams in the Preseason Power 25, with a possibility of 90 total vote points for each team. We will release three teams per day for the first week and then move to two teams per day once we reach the Top 10 next week. Voting for preseason teams centers more around the depth of talent on that team, as well as where it stacks up within their region/area, as opposed to strictly predicting schedule outcomes. 

Generally, larger schools and classifications have a greater depth of player talent on roster. However, once the season begins and records begin to take shape, the Power 25 will be adjusted as needed. In addition to that, we will debut our Private School Top 10 around April 1st and Small School Top 10 around mid-April.

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#2: St. John's Cadets

 

Season Preview:

While the Cadets did lose some serious offensive production from last season, they do return the best pitching staff in the state (and maybe on the east coast). The staff is led by 2024 Co-Pitcher of the Year, Sean McCabe (College of Charleston). McCabe is joined by Clayton Armah (Auburn) and Ren Devereux (Penn State) to make an absolutely lethal 1-2-3 knockout punch. The list keeps going with names like Drew Christine (Tennessee) and Michael Todero (St. Joseph's) that could round out the top five arms. The positional side has some question marks, but they have a group that any high school program would be pretty excited about. As usual, they are pretty upperclass heavy with names like Colin Francis, Nate Hawton-Henley (Maryland), Nick Felton (Old Dominion), Parker Friend (Marymount), and Caleb Hawton-Henley (Randolph-Macon), and Gavin Weber. Armah should also help out on the offensive side and usually works at third base. Up the middle of the field is where they have their most turnover, but Weber should adjust fine, if in fact he is at short, and Felton can really defend in center. 

‘25 Sean McCabe (@CofCBaseball commit) is absolutely locked in early.

Has K’d 6 of first 7 he faced. Only other one was a 4 pitch BB. FB mostly 84-87 T88x3 89x1. Spins 69-71 mph 11/5 CB and leaned heavily on 73-74 mph CH. @PrepBaseballVA #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/Bk04Z3gVXM

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) March 16, 2024

Final Thoughts:

"This is the best pitching staff in the state and region. No arguments, no debate, no comparison.. end of story. Between McCabe being arguably the most consistent producer of quality starts, Armah having good stuff and being the highest profile draft arm on this team, Devereux providing absolutely electric outings, and Christine and Todero just being top quality fourth-fifth arms on this staff, there is nothing you can say to convince me that another staff, from top to bottom, is even close. The offense and style of play tends to keep them in a lot of games, but the athleticism, execution, and team discipline brings the win home way more times than not. If you fall into playing their style of game, it usually doesn't end well."

- Jason Burton (VA/DC Scouting Director)