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Jordan's Notes 4/23/24

April 23, 2024
Jordan Jones
VA/DC Assistant Scouting Director

 

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Potomac School

Wyatt Pence OF / Potomac School, VA / 2025

Pence made his presence felt early in his first at bat when he took a fastball over the middle of the plate off the left field fence just missing a homerun. Pence has a quick uphill barrel path with strength especially to the pull side. Defensively Pence showed some arm strength from the outfield. Pence plays a big part in the offense in the middle of the order and will be a good follow heading into the spring.  

 

Yorktown

Jack Rucker LHP / OF / Yorktown, VA / 2024

Rucker was a two way standout for Yorktown on Monday night. He got the start on the mound and displayed some swing and miss stuff on the mound. He threw a three pitch mix with feel for all. The fastball was 85-88 working low in the zone. He showed above average feel for his slider landing it early in the count and using it later in counts for an out pitch. He did show a changeup that he used late in counts as an out pitch as well. Offensively Rucker picked up two hits on the night pacing the offense at the top of the order The future James Madison Duke is a vital piece for Yorktown to go on a deep playoff run. 

 

Langley

Gary Ahrens LHP / 1B / Langley, VA / 2025

The VMI commit got the start for the Vikings and he was efficient. He threw five shutout innings scattering two hits and six strikeouts. Ahrens attacked the zone early and often keeping hitters off balance with the fastball and slider. The fastball was 82-84 that got whiffs in the zone. He showed the ability to land the slider for strikes early in the 74-76 range. The arm works and there is room for more velo in the future. 

 

Colin Buckley RHP / 1B / Langley, VA / 2025

Buckley was called in for relief in a tight game that went extra innings. After his first inning of work getting into a jam, he settled in nicely making big pitches and kept the Vikings in the game. He ended up throwing four innings of relief only giving up two hits picking up five strikeouts. The fastball was 80-82 and the slider was 68-71 gaining better feel for it later in the outing.  It was a big night in relief helping the Vikings to a win. 

 

Daggu Rana SS / RHP / Langley, VA / 2027

Rana had a really impressive at bat early in the game. He battled deep in the count and fouled some tough pitches off that ended up resulting in a single off a tough arm. It was impressive for a freshman. Defensively he got the start at second base and there was fluid actions and arm strength. Rana is a two way prospect to keep an eye on in the future. 

 

Adham Sahebzadah 1B / LHP / Langley, VA / 2024

When you see Sahebzadah step in the box it is a physical imposing frame that looks to do damage. He picked up a hit in the game that might have been the hardest hit ball on the night. He stayed patient and sent a hard hit line drive for a single. With his elite bat speed and power, he is always a threat to leave the yard in the middle of the Langley lineup.

 

Thomas Sharp LHP / OF / Langley, VA / 2025

Sharp played the hero for Langley when he was called upon in some big situations that he did not back down from. He had the opportunity to come to the plate down a run in the bottom of the sixth and he picked up a single to tie to the game at 5-5. He later came up to the plate in the bottom of the tenth with the bases loaded, and he sent the team home with a walk off win with a single. There is rhythm and feel for the barrel at the plate that doesn't shy away from the big moments.

 

Spotswood

Brady Hoover RHP / 3B / Spotswood , VA / 2025

 It was my second look at Hoover this spring and weather did not get in the way this time. Hoover got the start on the mound for Spotswood and he set the tone early. He worked with pace and made innings quick. He attacked the zone early with the fastball getting whiffs in the zone at 84-87. He showed the ability to land his curveball and slider for strikes. He threw six innings with zero earned runs only giving up one walk and four strikeouts. When Hoover steps on the mound you know he is going to compete and give your team a good chance to win. A uncommitted 2025 still on the board.

 

Turner Ashby

Mason Mantz C / OF / Turner Ashby, VA / 2027

 The two time Junior Future Games Alum has had a impressive freshman campaign this spring. Mantz had a big hit for Turner Ashby where there were runners in scoring position and he sent a line drive into center that scored two. Mantz has competitive at bats where he makes the pitcher work and puts the ball in play. There is evident feel for the barrel and he plays with a motor. He is just a pure gamer that plays the game at one hundred percent at all times. Definitely a name to keep an eye on in the future.

 

Caden Simmers 3B / OF / Turner Ashby, VA / 2026

Simmers caught my eye last spring as a freshman in the lineup and now as a sophomore he has some experience and is playing a key part at the top of the lineup. Simmers had a multi-hit night where he displayed his barrel awareness and ability to use the whole field. The one at bat that stood out to me was when it was a hit and run situation and Simmers had it played perfectly where he had enough barrel control to handle the pitch on the outer half and sent it to right for a double. Simmers has added strength to his frame but there is still plenty more to add in the future.

 

Gainesville

Ben Ackerman C / OF / Gainesville, VA / 2025

Ackerman got the offense started early for Gainesville in his first at bat where he handled a breaking ball on the inner half and sent it into left field for a double to score a run. He picked up another hit later in the game including a walk. He shows approach with a controlled aggressiveness. It is a strong durable frame that can impact baseballs. Ackerman is solid defensively behind the plate with bag accuracy on throws. 

 

John Felton RHP / Gainesville , VA / 2025

Felton was efficient coming out of the bullpen for Gainesville. He threw three innings of relief scattering two hits picking up four strikeouts. He was in the zone early and often using his fastball and curveball combo. He worked the fastball low in the zone at 80-82 touching 84 and put hitters away with the curveball. 

 

Caden Merritt OF / OF / Gainesville, VA / 2025

The VMI commit made his presence felt early when he came up in a situation with runners in scoring position and he sent the pitch up the middle to score two. Merritt then displayed his speed on the basepaths being a menace stealing bases and being a problem for pitchers. On the basepaths he will not hesitate to swipe a bag. Even though he did not have any opportunities to show the arm strength in center in game he did show it off in pregame where he showed his above average arm with accuracy throwing to bases. He can impact the game in many facets of the game on any given day.

 

Ryan Petro LHP / OF / Gainesville, VA / 2025

Petro got the start for Gainesville and while it wasn't his strongest start of the year he still gave them a chance at the win. The fastball was 84-87 with late arm side run. He used the slider to put away hitters late in the count that got swing and miss and made left handed hitters uncomfortable. The slider is a plus pitch with above average spin. Petro can be a huge pick up in the 2025 class.

 

Aaron Ritenour OF / OF / Gainesville, VA / 2026

Ritenour is an imposing frame when he steps into the left handed batters box. With a 6-4 205-lb frame with plenty of room to add strength it is a frame you can dream on becoming a power bat. One of his best swings on the night was a hard line drive that the centerfielder made a diving catch on that took a hit away. He stayed connected through the zone with quick hands. Defensively he made some nice plays in left tracking a few baseballs down making it look fairly easy. There is athleticism in the frame that plays a big part of getting good reads in the outfield and tracking fly balls down. It is a corner outfield projection with some arm strength there. He is a player to keep an close eye on for the rest of the spring heading into the summer. 

 

Colgan

Julius Bagnerise SS / 2B / Colgan, VA / 2025

Bagnerise is the spark plug at the top of the Colgan offense and he can make things happen quickly for the offense. Bagnerise found himself in a hitter's count and he was ready and sent a hard hit ball through the right side for a double. There is rhythm and twitch in the hands that explode through the zone. He's an above average runner and an advanced defender at short. He is fun one to watch because he can impact the game at any time. 

 

Michael Brown 3B / 1B / Charles J. Colgan, Sr., VA / 2025

Brown had a solid showing for Colgan. He picked up a hard hit single early in the game showing his ability to adjust to spin and sent the pitch into center. He is strong with quick bat speed that shows the ability to get to his power especially to the pull side. He can be a run producer in that Colgan lineup.

 

Briar Woods

Jacob Eckhaus RHP / OF / BRIAR WOODS HIGH, VA / 2025

Eckhaus made a brief appearance in one inning of work for Briar Woods on Thursday night. He worked the fastball at 83-85 and used his slider to put away batters late in the count. He picked up a couple of strikeouts and the slider froze hitters. Even though it was a short sample from Eckhaus, there were positive things that could be huge going forward for Briar Woods.

 

Max Lawson SS / Briar Woods , VA / 2025

I really liked the look from Lawson on Thursday night. He controlled the game at shortstop making fluid plays throughout. He is athletic and has plenty of arm strength on the left side. Offensively he was patient drawing two walks on the night as well as being on barrel picking up a hit. He battled with two strikes and sent a breaking ball backside for a single. He shows an approach and is consistent with the barrel. He has had a strong spring and could be a good pick up for someone in the 2025 class. 

 

Lightridge

Jimmy Burpoe SS / 2B / Lightridge, VA / 2025

Burpoe had a solid night on Thursday where he picked up a hit and a couple of walks. He shows a mature approach and takes what the pitcher gives him. He cuts down with two strikes and uses the whole field with consistency with the barrel. He is an advanced defender at second base with fluid actions and range. He has had a strong for Lightridge and will play a important part of their success in a strong offensive lineup. Burpoe is one of the top uncommitted hitters in the 2025 class.

 

'26 Matt Coleman does not have a Prep Baseball profile.

Coleman made himself known early in the game where in his first at bat he was aggressive and sent a double down the right field line for a double. He went on to pick up two more hits on the night. He showed a controlled aggression where he didn't chase pitches out of the zone but if it came across the plate he was going to put his best swing on the pitch. It was minimal movement with a short, level barrel path. There was a lot to like with the sophomore and could be a piece to their future success.

Dylan Herr RHP / SS / Lightridge, VA / 2026

Herr got the start for Lightridge and he worked five innings scattering three hits. He is an athletic mover down the mound that created weak contact for hitters throughout the outing. He was 80-83 touching 84 with the fastball. His feel for his 12/6 curveball was better later in the outing where he landed it early in counts then used it to put away hitters with late depth. Herr is projectable and with the way he moves down the hill I would not be surprised when the fastball makes a velocity jump. The curveball is a good secondary pitch to mix in with the fastball. Lightridge has an arm that can be a big part of their future. 

 

James Nunnallee OF / Lightridge, VA / 2024

I had the chance to catch the batting practice rounds from Nunnallee and he had consistent rounds. He controlled the barrel early in the rounds with hard contact and line drives then proceeded to open it up a bit towards the back end of the rounds where he hit a couple of balls out. There is bat to ball with strength present to the pull side. In game Nunnallee showed off his above average speed reaching first on a groundball hit to the right side. He showed athleticism behind the plate getting to pitches in the dirt. Opposing teams don't give Nunnallee much to hit and that is for a good reason. Nunnallee can cause problems for any pitcher and you can expect teams to gameplan carefully for him each time out.

 

Grafton

'26 Evan Cruea does not have a Prep Baseball Profile.

Cruea jumpstarts the offense for Grafton in the leadoff spot. It was a multi hit day for Cruea where he showed feel for the barrel with the ability to use the whole field. It is a short level barrel path that sprays line drives. At shortstop he was very fundamental in his actions and consistently made plays showing athleticism and range. It was a good first look at the sophomore shortstop.

Corey Overmeyer 3B / RHP / Grafton, VA / 2026

Overmeyer was picked up two hits on the day and was consistently catching barrels throughout. It is a projectable 6-4 190-lb frame and it is imposing for opposing pitchers. When he steps in the box he is aggressive and is looking to hit the baseball. He swings early in counts when it is a good pitch in the zone. There is strength present in the frame especially to the pull side. He was quite impressive and with the frame he could become a really physical player with some two way intrigue. 

 

Poquoson

Eli Tyndall SS / RHP / Poquoson, VA / 2025

 Tyndall seems to be the heart and soul of the Islanders. He brings the energy and passion to the game. He got the start on the mound and he made big pitches throughout his start. It is a different look where he varies his tempo and changes slots. He was 80-83 touching 84 with the fastball. When he lowers his slot the fastball was in the 77-79 range. He uses a knuckleball is his mix and shows the ability to land it for strikes and throw hitters off balance at 69-71. As the game went on and the moment got bigger, his confidence grew in his stuff and it propelled them to the win. He would end up throwing a complete game only allowing two earned runs. His stuff plays to make weak contact and ground balls. Offensively he didn't pick up any hits on the day but he has some versatility with the ability to use the whole field and bunt for hits.