Friday night featured another strong match-up in Woodstock, GA. A talented River Ridge team took on Sprayberry in 6-A, Region-6 action. Sprayberry jumped out to an early 3-1 lead before River Ridge’s bats came alive in the 4th inning, as the Knights pushed across four runs. The game remained close throughout and was not decided until RHP Ethan Anderson (2019 Georgia Southern commit) slammed the door. With two outs runners on first and second, the tying run at the plate, Anderson finished off the final Jacket hitter with a curveball to end it with a final score of 6-3.

 

Ethan Anderson C / River Ridge, GA / 2019 Anderson is a strong kid with a good frame at 6-foot-3 185 pounds. He does a little bit of everything for his club, aside from offering a strong bat and right arm. Anderson also can catch and play the outfield. On the mound he was especially impressive in this short look. He used his Fastball (84-87) with angle, to set up his true curve (76-77) that has good shape and tight spin.  Anderson has a good frame and solid delivery. He is athletic and comes from a high ¾ arm slot and his arm works very well behind him. Looks like a very good pick-up for Georgia Southern.

Anderson is not the only talented player the Knights run out between the lines.  River Ridge boast 5 other players with college commitments, 2018 Catcher Connor Pavolony and 2019 right-handed pitcher Brandon Smith are both committed to Tony Vitello and the Tennessee Volunteers. 2018 right-fielder/Left-handed pitcher Christopher Williams and his considerable talents are heading south to FIU.

Connor Pavolony C / River Ridge, GA / 2018 Pavolony has broad shoulders and an athletic lower half.  Receives the ball well and shows good accuracy and throwing arm.  At the plate Pavolony has a solid approach, direct path to the ball and good batspeed.  He can leak and get to his front side at times, but sees the ball well.  Aside from his strong catching tool-set Pavolony is the kind of vocal leader you want behind the dish.

Third-baseman Branson Bowling (2018 Chattanooga State commit) and Center-fielder Nick Blubaugh (2018 Georgia Southwestern commit) are both left-handed hitting catalyst at the top of the Knights order.  Both are stocky strong kids, that offer advanced approaches. Pretty nice luxury to have with these two hitting in front of the big boys in the middle of the line-up.

After you get through the upperclassman you would think the well would run dry, but River Ridge has a nice youth movement in a pair of uncommitted 2020 prospects in second-baseman Kobe Braddock and Right-hander Aaron Osada.    

Kobe Braddock 3B / River Ridge, GA / 2020 Strong compact build for the sophomore.  Appears to be sure handed and feet stay underneath him well.  Balanced approach at the plate, with short compact swing.  Has good strength for a sophomore and will continue to get stronger.

 

Aaron Osada RHP / River Ridge, GA / 2020 Osada is a big kid at 6-foot-4 200 pounds.  He has the look of a kid that will throw a heavy ball in the future.  He has a side step delivery and uses his size for leverage.  Pitches from a overhand arm slot with a one piece arm action. He does a good job of pitching downhill with his fastball (84-86) topping put at 88. Has a beneficial slot for his curveball and will add power to the pitch as velocity comes.  Competed well and showed good composure on the mound.

 

 

Sprayberry did not show up empty handed for this match-up.  Senior Tyler Tolve lead the way for the Jackets going 3-3 with a shot that left in a hurry over the right-field fence.  

Tyler Tolve C / Sprayberry, GA / 2018 The Kennesaw State commit has a very projectable body at 6-foot-1 180 pounds with broad shoulders, and is still waiting on his man strength.  At the plate he shows a balanced approach with loose hitters actions.  He is short to the ball and has the ability to drive the ball gap to gap.  Behind the plate he shows a short compact arm with solid carry.  He can move side to side and blocks well.  His overall receiving skills will be something that he works to improve at the next level.  Tolve is a field rat that loves to play and that will pay dividends at the next level.

 

 

Also Jacob McClure was the starting pitcher for Sprayberry and the Junior ended his day earlier than he wanted with a leg injury.  But not before showing the uncommitted junior pitcher has talent of his own.

Jacob McClure RHP / Sprayberry, GA / 2019 Is a medium frame right-hander with 3 pitches and some feel to use them.  He is a long armer that comes from a high 3/4 slot with everything.  The length in his arm action makes his timing important and when he is in sync he can throw three quality pitches for strikes.  His fast ball sits in the 84-88 and shows the ability to use it to both sides of the plate.  He throws a slurvey breaking ball (71-73) and shows the ability to play with the shape.  His change-up is thrown from the same slot, with good hand-speed and is a tough look.

 

 

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