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Burton's Best: 16U Summer Championship Top Performers

July 5, 2023
Jason Burton
Scouting Director PBR Virginia/DC

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Over one dozen players made the cut in this breakdown of the Top Performers from the 16U Summer Championship tournament in Richmond last weekend. See all the video and notes right here.

 

Burton's Best:

Mandela Browman OF / RHP / Albemarle, VA / 2026

The recent Miller School addition has come on strong as of late. Athletic, rangy outfielder with well above average speed and the potential to stay in center, long term. Had an outstanding weekend at the plate. Upright and slightly open, medium leg lift, hands set high, and barrel starts in a slight wrap. Has shown adjustability in the swing and uses the whole field with doubles power to all fields. Sprayed line drives singles and doubles all over the field and showed his offensive versatility with a perfectly placed drag bunt in the semifinals. Turned out a 4.2 on that bunt. Range to stay in center with above average arm strength for his class. Standout weekend for Browman. 

 

 

Christopher Donaldson RHP / 3B / Pro Five Academy, NC / 2024

6-foot, 210-pound frame. Fairly normal effort delivery with a long arm swing getting behind him. Fairly easy arm speed through release and fastball has some carry in the upper 80's and flashed a couple of 90's. Did not seem to have an issue getting to the glove side with the fastball. The breaking ball has the potential to be the separator for the uncommitted right-hander. Elite spin metrics, staying around 2900 RPM with sharp late depth at 74-76 mph. Changeup was the third pitch and is still developing. Should be interesting to see how the Pro 5 arm trends as we approach the "new" recruiting period in a few weeks. 

 

 

Kyle Flora OF / 2B / Landstown, VA / 2025

While it took some time this weekend for the 5 Star outfielder to get it going, he was on fire on championship Sunday, and showed up when it mattered the most. Always seemed as though Flora was up with runners on when his team needed a big hit, and he delivered time and time again. Medium leg lift that hovers on the load, which I am normally not a huge fan of, but Flora does a nice job staying over the backside and not drifting into the swing. Body control, athleticism, and feel for the barrel makes him a very intriguing follow with an offense first profile. Has shown the ability to use the whole field with doubles power and works mostly gap to gap. Present run tool, that has been as low as 6.62 as of this summer. Not a big physical hitter with elite swing metrics (hand and bat speed), but just a pure hitter with barrel control and ability to hit for high average. 

 

 

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

While it is usually on the mound where German makes the loudest splashes, this weekend it was at the plate. The Trinity Episcopal rising sophomore is a large physical body, standing at 6-foot-2, 215-pounds. Easy raw power at the plate that has the chance to produce in game power. While I still firmly believe it is an arm first profile, the bat produced in spurts this past weekend. Had a loud, no doubt homerun on Thursday, and managed to produce more loud contact throughout the weekend. 

 

 

Matthew Hartsfield SS / C / Mills E Godwin , VA / 2026

This past weekend, Hartsfield garnered high praise from Virginia/DC Executive Director, Jerry Shank. The rising sophomore has a solid compact frame, standing 5-foot-9, 175-pounds. Slightly above average runner and has shown some positional versatility in the infield, with best projection at long term position being second base/third base. The Mills Godwin infielder is a switch hitter, but has shown best from the left side as of late. Like most young switch hitters, it is this way because 75%+ of the at bats that he receives in game will be versus right handed arms, putting him in the left handed batters box. Short to contact from both sides of the plate and minimal moving parts in the swing, allowing some repeatability in the swing. Strong base and balance in the swing and should only get better as he matures. 

 

 

Noah Haught SS / 2B / Bishop O'Connell, VA / 2025

Haught first stood out at a Primetime Aces Scout Day last fall and has continued to build on that since. A starter for Bishop O'Connell this spring, Haught is an advanced defender with the hands to stay in the middle. The arm is average to slightly above average and it is his quick exchange to release with accuracy across the infield that allows the arm to play a touch better. Above average runner, solid bat to ball, and the ability to impact continues to grow as he adds strength. Easy to spot the upside with this NOVA middle infielder. 

 

 

Drew Hayes RHP / SS / Summerville, SC / 2025

The Canes American right hander started the weekend with a bang. Three pitch mix with a fastball that sat mid 80's and ran it up to 87 two times in the first two innings. It is a short quick arm that allows the fastball to play with an extra gear, as it jumps at hitters. Slows a bit on the curveball, but it is well above average spin and it has depth with 12/6 shape. Landed both the curveball and slider for strikes, but did not need to go to them much. The College of Charleston commit dominated the glove side half of the plate with the fastball. 

 

 

Jack Kerns 3B / Wootton, MD / 2025

Square and balanced at the plate, toe tap to stay in rhythm, and hands are short to contact. Found consistent loud barrels at the plate, including a pair of home runs in their game on Saturday. Some pull side tendency with the bat and hand speed to handle velo. 

 

 

Grady Lenahan OF / 2B / Patriot, VA / 2025

Lenahan was quite possibly the best player we saw all weekend at the 16U tournament. Multiple home runs, showed power to pull, drove balls in the oppo gap, range in center, and ability to swipe bags on the basepaths. Coming off of an all-state type of year, the ECU commit was a no doubt pick for Top Performers. Hands set high and stay high as he separates. Can cover the inner half with above average bat speed. During the high school season, when I saw him, it was mostly center and backside, and did not get the barrel turned to showcase the pull side power, but he left no doubt this weekend. Impressive performances from the Patriot centerfielder. 

 

 

Cash McDade C / OF / Gonzaga College High School, VA / 2025

As McDade continues to prepare for Future Games, he showcased some backside power this weekend. Two of the five to six at bats that I had a chance to see, McDade went backside for extra bases, including a homerun out of right center field. Got a bit out front and disconnected at times, but displayed his raw strength that allows him to impact the baseball in a big way. On Friday, McDade also flashed the advanced arm behind the plate, throwing out a base stealer with an in game 2.08 pop time with carry through the bag. 

 

 

Matthew Murchison MIF / 2B / Chatham Central, NC / 2025

Lanky athletic frame with some feel for the barrel from the left side. Starts slightly open, toe tap load, and has high set hands before dropping them slightly on separation. Whippy barrel that is quick in and out with some pull side tendency. Matched planes well and used loft when necessary, driving one out of right center field for a homerun on the first pitch of the game. In a few other at bats, Murchison flattened out on some elevated pitches and drove line drives into right field. Turned a couple of 4.25-4.35 turns showing off the run tool. Uncommitted left handed bat to keep an eye on as we get deeper into the summer. 

 

 

Connor Smith C / OF / Warwick, VA / 2025

Solid 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Flatter path and seeks contact out front. Line drive tendencies that showed a solid feel for the barrel the first few days of the tournament. Balance setup, direct stride, and barrel has some length in the zone. Above average arm strength behind the plate with accuracy around the bag. Standout weekend for the Warwick HS rising junior. 

 

 

Michael Williams RHP / SS / Cosby, VA / 2025

In a span of four weeks, we have seen Williams quite a few times, including a big outing on the mound this weekend. The Seminoles right hander dominated in his complete game outing versus the Peninsula Pirates during the 16U semifinal game. The fastball has been consistently in the low to mid 80's the past few weeks and he showed his ability to maintain velo in this extended look, getting up to 87 and throwing his secondary for strikes. Long and lean, athletic mover, and some two way ability. While I think it may be an arm first profile, do not count out his ability to defend in the infield, providing some two way value in his future.