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Mid-Atlantic Procase: Pitcher Breakdown

August 18, 2022
Jason Burton
Scouting Director PBR Virginia/DC

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As we conclude our annual Mid-Atlantic Procase, we want to take a few minutes to dive in a little deeper on some of the players that were in attendance on August 13 at University of Richmond.

Preston Crowl 3B / RHP / Franklin County, VA / 2023

6-foot, 195-pound solid frame. Crowl works with a normal effort delivery, longer arm swing, and arm is on time. Throws from a high three-quarter slot with some downhill plane on the fastball and the higher slot contributes to the bigger 12/6 curveball. Threw strikes with all three pitches, the third being a splitter at 80-81 mph (last pitch in video below). The fastball sat 90-91 mph and touched 92 mph. Was fairly efficient in the zone and while the curveball was effective, the splitter was impressive in the few times he used it. Present arm speed on the pitch and it plays really well off of the fastball. 

 

 

Joe Fredericks LHP / Pro 5 Academy NC, VA / 2023

The 5-foot-9 lefty is a bulldog on the mound. The energy and mentality say reliever/back end guy, but his feel for three pitches should allow him to stretch outings a touch. Throws from a really low three-quarter to almost side arm slot. Really sinks the fastball and utilizes it to both RHH and LHH. The slider got 13" of sweep and is his go-to, out pitch. Throws it for strikes and can use it to both sides, but it has flashed the ability to get whiffs even when not on the edges of the zone and down. The changeup has around 18" of fade and throws it for strikes at 77-80 mph. 

 

 

Ethan Gibson SS / RHP / Abingdon, VA / 2023

6-foot, 178-pound thin athletic frame. Gibson was one my favorite arms that I saw this spring. He is a guy that when he takes the mound, you generally know what you are going to get out of the Virginia Tech commit. When I saw him this spring he was up to 92 and was dialed in. At the Procase the velo was down just a touch, but that is where the pitchability shines for Gibson. Sat mostly 88-89 mph and got up to 90, but mixed the secondary well keeping hitters off balance. Threw some backfoot sliders to a few LHH's and mixed the changeup in as well. Always efficient in the zone and it will be interesting to see if Gibson can tick up any more as we approach spring of 2023. 

 

 

JJ Glasscock RHP / Fluvanna County, VA / 2023

Was the most electric arm of the day for me. Above normal effort to the delivery and generates a ton of arm speed after his long arm swing. When he makes that turn from the backside, he gets plenty of hand speed through release and maintains it on his secondary offerings. Four pitches in his mix, but the curveball and slider are the separators for this West Virginia commit. Both flash plus potential and with those two in the back pocket, the fastball plays a tick up from the 91-92 that it sits. Glasscock has flashes of brilliance on the mound and if he can add to his consistency, he has a chance to hear his name called next summer. Has arguably the best "stuff" in the state. 

 

 

Zyhir Hope OF / LHP / Colonial Forge, VA / 2023

The two-way talent out of Colonial Forge still has plenty of polish to add on the mound, but there is a lot to dream on with some of the stuff he brings to the table. A pretty easy 86-88 on the mound and was up to 90 this spring. Have seen him show the ability to add and subtract on the fastball depending on the count and situation. Quick and loose three-quarter arm. Showed the ability to throw the secondary for strikes. The breaker varies in shape at times, but tended to show a bigger 12/6 breaking ball in the low 70's. It is definitely a bat first because of the amount of polish he needs to add on the mound, but it is something that for Hope to fall back on and potentially be a backend guy if/when he gets to a college campus. 

 

 

Garrett Mason RHP / OF / Mills Godwin , VA / 2023

Mason really exploded last spring, as he dominated some solid lineups in the Richmond area and his recruitment took off from there. The 6-foot-3 Virginia Tech commit has seen a slight dip in the velo this summer, from being 89-92 late spring to being in the upper 80's range and bumping an occasional 90 when I have seen him this summer. I think a lot of that comes from this being probably the heaviest load he has had to carry on the mound in quite some time. I think this right hander has plenty of ceiling left and is a fairly low miles arm. In this outing he featured a fastball/curveball combo with a solid feel for the bigger breaker. Leaned on the 72-74 mph curveball and got some swings and misses versus some solid LHH's. Induced some early contact and was very efficient with his pitch count and the number of batters he faced. Ran through about seven hitters in twenty-seven pitches. 

 

 

Brett Renfrow OF / RHP / Colgan, VA / 2023

Renfrow got the start and was a bit more scattered than I am used to seeing with him, but he battled through the outing with an upper 80's fastball and three secondary offerings. The changeup may have been the most effective secondary pitch on the day. Threw seven changeups that worked the lower arm side quadrant at 77-80 mph and got a few swings and misses and one weak popup. The fastball lived in the lower half of the zone and only found a barrel when he elevated it. The curveball backed up to the arm side. In my opinion, there is no doubt Renfrow is a bat first, especially when it comes to being a draft prospect. However, at the college level he definitely has an opportunity to contribute on the mound and will be one of the best arms in NOVA and in VA/DC as a whole this upcoming spring.