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VA/DC Scout Blog: Western Swing

April 28, 2023
Staff
PBR Virginia/DC

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We take a look at video and notes on over a dozen players from six western Virginia teams that we saw early in the week.

 

Jefferson Forest 

Breckin Nace 1B / LHP / Jefferson Forest, VA / 2023

Nace is a 6-foot-5 left handed arm with a solid three pitch mix. The recent Radford commit had a very strong outing. Seven innings pitched, two hits, two walks, and thirteen strikeouts. The fastball was 82-85 and showed some angle to the glove side, as well as running it away from right handers to the arm side. He had five strikeouts with the fastball. The 70-73 mph slider kept the right handed hitting heavy lineup honest and did not allow them to cheat to that outside fastball. He was able to throw the 2/8 slider on the backfoot and get under the hands of the right handed hitters. Kept hitters off balance and used the slider very heavy early on, before adding a changeup in the middle to backend innings. Strong start and big win for the JF senior. 

 

 

 

 

EC Glass 

Cooper Campbell RHP / OF / EC Glass, VA / 2024

We first saw Campbell at Fall State Games and not much has changed. Campbell is different, in a good way. He is a low 80's arm that can PITCH from two slots with two pitches from each slot. The fastball can have a tendency to work from three slots, sidearm, low three-quarter, and then he will raise it up to a standard three-quarter every once in a while and add a mph or two. The slider is low three-quarter and sidearm and threw it multiple times on the day in even, negative, and even three ball counts. Very confident in that pitch and the sweeping 69-72 mph offering simply misses bats. Had twelve strikeouts on the day, with ten of them (or by my count anyway) coming via the slider. He can start, finish, and use it anywhere in between. The velo makes him a fringy arm in term of where he projects at the next level, but the rail thin frame would likely suggest that he can add some strength and mass, potentially helping add some velo to the fastball. Pitchability, throws strikes, lower slots, different look, gets swings and misses. There is not much more that you could ask this arm to do, outside of being a 84-87 arm, which would make his stock skyrocket. But in two to three years, I can see that as a very achievable thing. 

 

 

 

 

Turner Ashby

Brooks Bowman C / Turner Ashby, VA / 2026

It was my first time seeing the Turner Ashby catcher and I came away impressed. One of the more "complete" catchers that I have had a chance to see so far in the 2026 class. Lean athletic frame that should fill out well. Active behind the plate, solid hand strength receiving, and solid catch and throw for a freshman. All of those things will get even better as he matures and adds strength. The arm strength is average to slightly above average for his class and is accurate to the bag. Very aggressive at the plate and will be able to slow things down as he continues to mature. The defense is first right now, but I liked the swing and the aggressiveness as a freshman on varsity is always a plus. Ambushed a first pitch fastball in his first at bat for a line drive single and would get softened up on first pitch in his next at bat, resulting in a soft, capped ground ball. Will need to work on pitch selection and recognition, but that is something that will come with time and at bats. A lot to like and still plenty of ceiling left for this freshman. 

 

 

 

Micah Matthews OF / RHP / Turner Ashby, VA / 2025

I have had a chance to see the South Carolina commit in workouts, but this is my first time seeing Matthews in game. Strong physical athlete that is now a standout in football, as well as on the diamond. Matthews has always been bigger and stronger than others in his class and now he has started to add strength to that size and frame. Slightly above average runner, turning out a 4.32 and 4.36 home to first on the day. Plays centerfield and may have more corner projection long term. Had an infield single in his first at bat, a loud fly ball to left field in his second, a ground out to short in his third, and walked in his final at bat. At the plate he is open and preset back, simple stride to get back on line, medium length to the path, and has some uphill tilt. This is a run production type of bat with raw power. The athleticism and tools are there and Matthews will need to continue to add polish to the in game piece. 

 

 

 

 

Spotswood

Camden Blank SS / 2B / Spotswood, VA / 2026

Blank is a really high end defender for his class. Had multiple plays on the night that not many freshman shortstops make look that easy. Most notably, there were two groundballs he came forward on and made run throughs with accuracy and throwing out solid runners. The bat is a contact bat with middle and line drive tendencies. Grounded out to the pitcher on a check swing in his first at bat, hard hit ball in the second AB right back at the pitcher, and then hit a big single in his final at bat. Hands are set forward, make small load back, swing is fairly compact, and small lift and hang to stride. Blank is not a big, physical, elite athlete, but he is a player. Maturity on the defensive side, does not show a bunch of swing and miss, and the offense will continue to get better with added strength and maturity. Will be one to watch down the road. 

 

 

 

Ben Moyer RHP / Spotswood , VA / 2023

First time seeing the Samford commit. Proportional, athletic frame. Short arm action from a higher slot and pretty easy effort during the delivery. Moyer was 84-86 in his first two innings and was very efficient during his six innings of work. Three pitch mix, with the fastball and slider being the two best pitches in terms of projection and stuff. Showed ability to land the 67-69 mph breaking ball for strikes, but had bigger soft shape and was more of a get over pitch. Short 10/4 shape on the slider and got some swings and misses when he was able to get it to the glove side. 

 

 

 

 

Salem (Roanoke)

Caleb Furmage C / OF / Salem, VA / 2024

 

 

 

Trace Monroe LHP / Salem, VA / 2025

 

 

 

Brayden White SS / Salem (Salem), VA / 2026

 

 

 

 

Christiansburg

Connor Adams RHP / 3B / Christiansburg, VA / 2025

 

 

 

Cameron Dunn 2B / 3B / Christiansburg , VA / 2024

 

 

 

Tanner Evans SS / RHP / Christiansburg, VA / 2024

 

 

 

Rocco Fizzano RHP / 2B / Christiansburg , VA / 2025


 

 

Mason Self 3B / RHP / Christiansburg, VA / 2023