VA/MD State Games: 2023 C Breakdown

January 25, 2022
John Nolan
Nova

Follow @PBRVirginiaDC
Facebook + Instagram

In early November, over 140 players from Virginia, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina descended on War Memorial Stadium in Hampton, Virginia to take part in the 2021 VA/MD State Games. We continue our detailed breakdown of the event with the 2023 catchers.

Pierce Butler C / OF / Matoaca, VA / 2023

6-foot, 165-pound lean athletic build. Solid fluid at the plate, Butler's best exit velocity was 81 mph. (60.5 mph bat speed average). (18.7 mph hand speed average). Started in a balanced open stance with a smooth compact load, then used a controlled leg kick. Had efficient bat speed, simple upward swing plane and good extension on his finish. Created loud contact and found some barrels. Gap to gap approach. While catching, his best recorded throw to second was clocked at 66 mph; showed sure hands, a clean transfer, and smooth rhythmic feet. produced pop times of 2.24-2.39. Some flexibility and calm setup. Clocked a 60 time of 7.06 at the event.

Nate Kumper C / 1B / Steward , VA / 2023

6-foot-3, 185-pound long projectable frame. Solid projectable at the plate, Kumper had a max exit velocity of 86 mph. (65.5 mph bat speed average). (20.6 mph hand speed average). Starts in a crouched balanced stance with a smooth low load, then uses a controlled toe tap stride. Has efficient bat speed, simple flat swing plane and high finish. Found some barrels with loud contact. Aggressive approach. While catching, he made throws to second at velocities up to 74 mph; has a quick fluid transfer, sure hands, and fluid quick feet. recorded a pop time of 2.03-2.12. Athletic setup with a lot of flexibility. Used a short consistent arm action with an-over-the-top slot while showing consistent accuracy to the base. In the 60-yard dash, recorded a time of 7.31.

Ryan O'Connor C / 3B / South Lakes, VA / 2023

5-foot-10, 175-pound solid sturdy build. Above average confident during batting practice, O'connor had a max exit velocity of 84 mph. (62.0 mph bat speed average). (18.9 mph hand speed average). Begins in a balanced wide stance with a rhythmic load, then uses a short small stride. Bat speed is flashed, shows a level simple swing plane and high finish. In the round he found some barrels with loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Behind the plate, he made throws to second at velocities up to 69 mph; has a quick transfer, fluid in control feet, and sure consistent hands. had a pop time of 2.18-2.34. Calm setup with average flexibility. Showed some accuracy to the bag with a high ¾ slot and a short arm action. During the event, recorded a 60 time of 7.43.

Nick Pratt C / OF / Indian Creek, MD / 2023

6-foot-1, 195-pound strong physical frame. Projectable solid at the plate, the right-handed hitter was ranked 2nd with an exit velocity of 97 mph. (66.2 mph bat speed average). (19.5 mph hand speed average). Began in an athletic open stance with a rhythmic smooth load, then used a controlled leg kick. Had present bat speed, uphill swing plane and good extension on his finish. He produced a lot of loud contact and found lots of barrels. Aggressive line drive approach. While catching, he recorded a position velocity of 75 mph during throw downs; had a fluid natural transfer, quick athletic footwork, and consistent hands. displayed next-level catching ability by boasting a 1.98-2.11 pop time. Staggered setup with above average flexibility. Some accuracy to the bag, used a short compact arm action and clean slot. Recorded a 60 time of 7.45 at the event.

Dale (Trey) Shrock C / OF / Appomattox County, VA / 2023

6-foot, 185-pound proportional solid build. Above average projectable at the plate, Shrock had a max exit velocity of 89 mph. (68.7 mph bat speed average). (19.8 mph hand speed average). Began in a tall open stance with a rhythmic load, then used a controlled small leg kick. Bat speed is efficient developing, uses a simple short swing plane and level finish. Found some barrels with loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Behind the plate, he produced a position velocity of 71 mph during throw downs; shows a quick transfer, athletic quick feet, and sure consistent hands. had a pop time of 2.03-2.17. Some flexibility and wide setup. Used an-over-the-top slot and a quick arm action while showing consistent accuracy to the base. Established speed as one of his strengths with an efficient 60 time of 6.98.

Colin Souther C / OF / Hayfield Secondary School, VA / 2023

6-foot-3, 175-pound projectable lean frame. Capable solid at the plate, Souther's best exit velocity was 85 mph. (65.1 mph bat speed average). (20.5 mph hand speed average). Starts in a balanced crouched stance with a controlled compact load, then uses a short stride. Has efficient bat speed, level uphill swing plane and level finish. Found some barrels during his rounds. Gap to gap approach. While catching, his best throw downs of the day reached a max velocity of 71 mph; had a clean fluid transfer, sure hands, and consistent fluid footwork. produced pop times of 2.13-2.26. Average flexibility and staggered setup. Used a short arm action with a high ¾ slot while showing some accuracy to the base. Clocked a time of 7.36 in the 60-yard dash.

Marsden Zajac C / OF / Colgan, VA / 2023

5-foot-11, 175-pound athletic build. Solid projectable during batting practice, the right-handed hitter's best exit velocity was 94 mph. (68.7 mph bat speed average). (18.5 mph hand speed average). Started in a balanced athletic stance with a quick load, then used a small leg kick. Bat speed is flashed raw, has a rotational uphill swing plane and high balanced finish. During his round he produced loud contact and found some barrels. Aggressive gap to gap approach. While catching, his best recorded velocity during throw downs was clocked at 73 mph; showed a quick natural transfer, and quick rhythmic footwork. had a pop time of 2.06-2.19. A lot of flexibility and staggered athletic setup. Some accuracy to the bases, used a short quick arm action with an-over-the-top slot. Clocked a 60 time of 7.09 at the event.