VA/DC Scout Blog: James River (Midlo) at Manchester

Wil Creech RHP / James River, VA / 2024

Long thin 6-foot-3 frame. Works exclusively from the stretch. Slower delivery with low effort. The fastball worked between 78-81 mph with some arm side run to the fastball. The breaking ball was loose at 71-72 mph and lacked depth at times. 

Callum Early MIF / James River (Midlothian), VA / 2024

This has been a head scratcher for a while. For me, Early is the best uncommitted positional player in the state regardless of class. Three-plus present tools to his game. Higher end run tool that plays in game. Had a 4.48 on a turn today and I still think it was a step slow and the route out of the box can be tightened up a bit. It is not a power bat, but does have doubles power. Biggest thing for me is you are not going to see the middle infielder swing and miss very often. Very good bat to ball, can handle pitches out of the zone, uses the whole field, and prototypical leadoff/two hole bat that is very versatile at the plate. Hands work at short, lateral range, and while it is not an elite arm, it is enough to stay on the left side. His athleticism, quick release, and ability to throw from multiple slots with accuracy make him a well above average defender. Wherever he lands, that program is getting a high makeup, high academic left handed hitter that can stay up the middle. 

Owen Riley RHP / OF / James River (Midlothian), VA / 2023

Our staff saw Riley a few weeks back and this was a different arm than we saw at that game. Came on in relief of Creech in the sixth. Easy effort and easy velo. Again, the 89-91 mph fastball is really easy, up from the 84-86 from a few weeks back. Touched 92 once and was overpowering hitters with the fastball in the zone. Control over command and the fastball had some take off to the arm side at times, but when he stayed through it, it had nice carry and ride. Threw just a small sample of sliders at 82-84, one or two of them having tight late depth and the makings of a potential swing and miss offering at the next level. VMI commit. 

Judd Zegarra 3B / RHP / James River (Midlothian), VA / 2024

Square balanced setup at the plate. Medium leg lift to stride and will shorten it up a bit once he gets into a two strike count. Short compact swing and has a level path through the zone. More gap to gap approach with some doubles power to pull. Had a sac fly in the middle innings that drove in a James River runner and extended their lead. Defensively he is a solid defender at third. Good first step forward, can throw on the run, and accurate across the infield. Third base/second base profile at the college level. 

Jayden Grant SS / RHP / Manchester, VA / 2026

It is always fun to see younger arms get some time versus a veteran squad like James River. For the most part, Grant handled himself well and showed flashes of a bright future. The fastball held at 80-83 mph with mostly 82-83, and even flashed 85-86 one time each. Fairly normal effort delivery and has some late intent. Lands closed down the mound, full arm circle, three-quarter slot, and has some arm speed through release. The fastball had some arm side run to it and had a few he got inside of and took off to the arm side, but did show the ability to get it out front and work the glove side of the plate. Although it had a tendency to back up on him, the breaking ball had some late depth to it. The pace on the 64-66 mph offering will need to pick up as he matures, but he did show some feel for the zone.

Aiden Harris 3B / RHP / Manchester , VA / 2024

Had a chance to see the Manchester BP and Harris displayed his raw power. His power plays best gap to gap where he gets his best backspin on balls in play. Has a tendency to top spin to the pull side, but when he gets it lifted to the pull side there is real power. Hands are loose pre-pitch and have hand speed through the zone. The hands do stay fairly tight and would like to see them freed up a bit more. In game at bats, Harris worked a count in the first before resetting it in the second due to a pickoff that ended the inning. In the second, he jumped all over a first pitch fastball and deposited it deep over the center field fence. In his second at bat the UVA commit got caught in a check swing and popped up to first base. In what would be his final at bat, Harris pulled a hard hit ground ball through the left side for a single. Offensively, there is no doubt that Harris has raw power and in game power. Not sure long term if this is a hit for average bat and it may be a power production/middle of the order bat, but he will need to show the ability to get to that power more frequently. Some things that will help that improve are pitch recognition and zone discipline. 

On the mound the command was a bit scattered. Had a tendency to pull the fastball and was not landing the breaking ball consistently for strikes. The fastball velo sat 86-90 early and had some ride up in the zone, which is where he found most of his success. The 73-76 mph slider did not show much depth and when he did land it, it was mostly upper half and inner half of the plate. 

Right now, I would say offense first, first base defensive profile, but there are some physical, raw tools there that still leave some intrigue on the mound.

Donavan Jeffrey 1B / OF / Manchester, VA / 2025

Not a ton to talk about here, as Jeffrey did not get any opportunities in game because he was walked in both at bats. During BP he showed his easy raw power with the ability to hit baseballs to the middle and pull with carry. He has shown above average raw power to the backside gap and can create backspin to all fields. When he went to shag, he displayed some of the athleticism that is there, just would like to see him put that on display more often. Long term, I think he will hold more value if he is able to move to corner outfield, as opposed to first base. Routes and reads are a work in progress, but he is a sub 6.8 runner and needs to show that ability more often. Had a few balls in BP that he covered some ground on and will benefit long term from improving in that area. 

Catching a Dominion District matchup today between Manchester & James River.

First a little BP ?

‘25 Donavan Jeffrey (#ItsAllAboutTheU commit)

Raw power & easy carry to the middle. #PBRFG22 alum.@PBRVirginiaDC @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/QcCm8k7pED

— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) April 13, 2023

Jackson Wise SS / OF / Manchester, VA / 2024

Lanky 6-foot-1 frame. Slightly open stance, strides and lands on line, shows some balance in the swing, and finishes with slightly upright posture. The path has some length to it, stays in the zone through extension, and shows the ability to use the whole field. Stayed inside during his first two at bats and went backside with two line drives. Probably more corner/corner defensive profile at the next level with a hit tool bat and doubles power.