Prep Baseball Report

VA/DC Freshman Free Showcase: OF/C Analysis


John Nolan
Virginia Scouting Director & Managing Editor

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The Virginia/DC freshmen free showcase was held on Saturday, January 26 at the Virginia Sports Complex. Over 40 players from around the Commonwealth were in attendance to perform in front of the PBR Scouting staff. Today we begin our analysis from the event with a look at the catchers and outfielders.

Top Performers

 

Ethan Hamill RHP / OF / Thomas Dale, VA / 2022

Hamill is 6-2 with a lankier frame that has a lot projection left to it. He hits from the right side from an open athletic stance, big leg kick stride on line, loads back, hips rotate freely and completely, has some balance to his swing. Very short to ball, quick hands that stay inside the ball. Slightly uphill swing path through contact, bat is quick with some whip through contact, showed some barrel ability, exit velocity was 78. Has a chance to add power as he adds strength. In outfield, rounds ball and fields through it, average hands. Clean exchange, throws from lower three quarters arm slot with a free arm action, position velocity was 75. Home to first was 4.28. 

 

 

Christopher McCullers RHP / OF / Woodgrove, VA / 2023

McCullers is 6-3 with a big frame that has projection to add strength as he gets into the weight room. He hits from the right side from an open athletic stance, short stride on line, smooth load back, relaxed setup. Hips rotate completely and weight shifts forward during rotation, some balance at contact. Shorter path to ball, hands stay inside, good strong contact point with very good extension. Slightly uphill path generates loft without extreme uppercut, showed a pull preference but also ability to work gap to gap. Power already evident due to levers with more to come as he adds strength and quickness, exit velocity was 88. In the outfield, gets behind ball and plays through it, fields with average hands and has a quick clean exchange. Throws from high three-quarters arm slot, quick arm and carry on his throws, outfield velocity was 83. Ran a 4.49 home to first.

 

 

Caden Swartley C / OF / Turner Ashby, VA / 2023

Swartley is 5-9 with an athletic frame that has a lot of projection it. He hits from the right side from a slightly open athletic stance, leg kick stride on line, short load back, simple setup. Hips rotate completely with violence, has some lower half balance during swing. Short to ball, hands stay inside, bat is quick, slightly uphill line drive swing with a strong contact point and good extension through the ball. Showed good approach working gap to gap, exit velocity was 77, has some power already when he turns on a ball. Behind the plate, clean exchange, gains ground during transfer, throws from a low three-quarters arm slot with a short arm action, catcher velocity was 63 and pop times were 2.32-2.46. Shows some sway in his receiving some strength in his hands. Ran a 4.33 home to first.

 

 

 

Best of the Rest (Alphabetically)

 

 

 

Jason Cheifetz RHP / OF / Westfield, VA / 2022

Cheifetz is 5-11 with a lankier athletic frame that has a lot projection left to it. He hits from the right side from an open athletic stance, low leg kick stride on line, loads back, hips rotate completely, some balance to swing. Shows some quickness and strength in his swing Short to ball, level start to path, slightly uphill through contact, keeps hands short and inside the ball, exit velocity was 84. In outfield, gets body behind ball and fields through it, average hands, good footwork. Quick clean exchange, throws from low three quarters arm slot with some life, position velocity was 81. Home to first was 4.05.

 

 

Dylan Hall 2B / OF / Grassfield , VA / 2022

Hall is 5-9 with a lankier athletic frame that has projection left to it. He hits from the right side from an open athletic stance, big leg kick stride on line, loads back to a bar, hips rotate completely with some violence, and he maintains some balance during his swing. Keeps hands in and is quick to ball, showed good approach working gap to gap, level line drive swing, strength at contact point with good extension through the ball, has chance to add power as he adds strength, exit velocity was 74. In outfield, rounds ball and fields with soft hands. Works through ball with a big crow hop, clean exchange. Throws from a three-quarters arm slot, position velocity was 72. Ran a 4.41 home to first.

 

 

Tristan Hiestand OF / 2B / Lafayette, VA / 2022

Hiestand is 5-9 with a lankier athletic frame that has a lot projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a slightly open athletic stance, short leg kick stride on line, loads back to a wrap, hips rotate completely with some violence, and he maintains good balance during his swing. Good simple swing, keeps hands in and is short to ball, showed good approach working gap to gap, slightly uphill line drive swing, good extension through the ball, has chance to add batspeed as he adds strength, exit velocity was 66. In outfield, gets behind ball and fields with average hands. Works through ball, clean exchange. Throws from a low three-quarters arm slot, position velocity was 68. Ran a 4.26 home to first.

 

 

Robert Reddington C / 2B / South Lakes, VA / 2022

Reddington is 5-10 with an athletic frame that has projection it. He hits from the right side from an open upright stance, short leg kick stride on line, smooth load back, relaxed setup. Hips rotate completely with some violence, has good lower half balance during swing. Shorter path to ball, slightly uphill line drive swing. Showed good approach working gap to gap, exit velocity was 72. Behind the plate, clean exchange, throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a short arm action, catcher velocity was 66 and pop times were 2.32-2.50.

 

 

Jeffrey Stiff II OF / OF / Clover Hill, VA / 2022

Stiff is 5-5 with an athletic frame that has projection left to it. He hits from the right side from a slightly open athletic stance, short leg kick stride on line, loads back to a wrap. Hips rotate completely with some violence, has some lower half balance during swing. Takes hands straight to ball, gets to contact quickly, slightly uphill line drive swing with some strength at contact point and some extension through the ball. Showed good approach working gap to gap, gets a bit uphill when he pulls the ball, exit velocity was 75. In the outfield, quick clean footwork, rounds ball and plays through it, fields with soft hands. Quick clean exchange, throws from a low three-quarters arm slot with a free arm, outfield velocity was 68. Home to first was 4.46.

 

 

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