Prep Baseball Report

Deep Run Tournament Quick Hits: St. Christopher's


Jason Burton
Scouting Director PBR Virginia/DC

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St. Christopher's Saints:

Sterling Austin 3B / RHP / St. Christopher's, VA / 2022

The Hampden-Sydney commit had one of the better, more complete starts of the tournament. Austin threw a complete game in the Saints' win over rival Benedictine. He struck out ten Cadet hitters along the way while scattering four hits and only allowing two earned runs. The fastball was 84-86 early on and showed an effective 71-73 mph curveball that he was able to throw for strikes consistently. Austin moved the fastball in and out effectively, working the edges, and expanding the zone. He was a little bit scattered early on, but settled in nicely and was very strong after. 

 

 

 

Bryce Neely SS / C / St. Christophers, VA / 2025

Thin, athletic 5-foot-9 frame with room to add. Neely was an intriguing player at our Preseason Freshmen showcase and has had a nice start to the spring, flashing some power in the swing. Slightly open stance, toe tap to stride, and does not get cheated in the swing. Plenty of intent to the swing and looks to do damage in all counts. Neely's aggressive approach has resulted in some loud barrels and hard hit balls early this season, but could benefit from altering his approach at times, depending on the count. He is a versatile athlete that has a very intriguing offensive upside and should continue to trend up with added at bats and experience at the varsity level. 

 

 

 

Charlie Knighton SS / OF / St. Christopher's, VA / 2023

Athletic 6-foot frame with some room to fill. Knighton stepped onto thee varsity scene last year and had some big at bats for the Saints. This year he is looked to in a bigger role, filling the two hole in the St. Chris lineup. During the first game of the tournament Knighton came through with some big hits, going three for four with three runs scored. It is a contact bat that uses the whole field and shows line drive tendency. Knighton had two backside singles and then a two strike, infield single to the left side. He has shown some doubles power to both gaps, but is more consistently a line drive singles hitter. 

 

 

 

Carter Schmitt C / OF / St. Christopher's, VA / 2022

One of the best and most consistent hitters in the Richmond area, and possibly the state for that matter, continued his offensive onslaught. Schmitt totaled six hits and four RBI's in his three game and brought home the tournament MVP. Schmitt has a compact athletic frame, advanced feel for the barrel, and uses the whole field in approach. The Randolph-Macon commit seems to be picking up where he left off in 2021. 

 

 

 

Bradley Garner SS / OF / St. Christophers, VA / 2023

Lanky 6-foot-2, 186-pound athletic frame. Above average runner and versatile defender. Projects corner-corner long term with a physical presence at the plate. Strides forward to a wider base and finishes square. Flat path to contact with line drive tendencies and shows some lift and pull side power. Sprayed it around the field during his at bats, showing the ability to use the whole field and battled in two strike counts. Probably the hardest ball he hit in the two games I watched was a line drive right at the third baseman.