Follow @PBRVirginiaDC 
Facebook + Periscope

The Preseason All-State was hosted by Virginia Sport Complex on Saturday, February 17th. Over 100 players from around the commonwealth came to be apart of the biggest event in Virginia history and the talent on display was equally impressive. Because of such and successful and deeply talented field of athletes, we cannot simply break down this event with one story. So for the remainder of the week we will highlight a few of the many top performances.

 

Rapid Reaction Part 2

 

Hyatt Hurst C / OF / Tallwood , VA / 2019 This left-handed hitting catching prospect had one of the top overall workouts on the day from behind the backstop. Hurst, a Tallwood HS product, hits from a taller slightly ope set up at the plate with a smooth load and nice rhythm. He creates bat speed at the plate and does a nice job getting extension through contact. He had an 86 mph exit velocity at the plate with his middle approach. Hurst is very athletic behind the plate and shows nice flexibility and hip control as a receiver with soft hands during bullpens. He had a 76 mph velocity with a pop that got as low as 2.06.

 

 

Christian Gordon LHP / OF / Liberty Christian Academy, VA / 2019 Gordon might have had one of the most impressive bullpens at the event, showing off a total package with his physical frame, command of the strike zone and ability to manipulate the baseball during the pen. Gordon has the higher glove with low hand pause at separation that goes into a quick and athletic arm action from a high three quarter slot. It was a pretty easy 86 mph during the pen and he showed the ability to repeat in all of his pitches. Both his breaking ball and change up are good pitches with potential to get better within the same delivery. Change up had later fade and some showed more dive. The breaking ball had a shorter 1/7 action with late break. Nice lower half implementation throughout. Gordon has solidified himself as one of the top 2019 uncommitted left-handed arms in VA.

 

 

Matthew Kleinfelter RHP / 3B / Lancaster, VA / 2019 The JMU commit had a solid workout on the day showing off his two way ability with an 84 mph arm across the diamond and a 89 mph exit velo at the plate, but we would like to talk about the impressive bullpen the Lancaster HS product had. Kleinfelter has a compact and quick delivery and gets nice hip load and some lower half involvement through release. It's a loose and sound arm action with fast arm speed while pitching with regular effort from an almost over the top slot. What impressed was the light effort it took to sit 86-88 mph and there are a few small adjustments to be made that make you believe there is more in the tank. His 74 mph breaking ball had a 11/5 shape to the pitch with later action on the pitch. His durable frame and easy arm action give much reason to believe he has all the makings to be a rotational type arm at the next level.

 

 

Aidan Willard OF / RHP / Briar Woods, VA / 2019 Willard has put in work in the past year, most evident in his transformation and improvement as a ball player. He hit from a slightly open set up at the plate with big leg kick and arm bar in load. He creates fast bat speed at the plate with some strength to the middle of the field. His lower half can get him in trouble at times with timing, but he shows potential to be a very interesting outfield prospect.

 

 

Gavin Younce C / 3B / Greenbrier Christian, VA / 2019 Younce is a physical backstop out of Greenbrier Christian who has made noticeable gains in his strength between now and year ago. At the plate its an athletic set up with high hands at shoulder level. A smooth rock back type load with small leg lift. He showed nice balance in the swing with quick hands, fast bat speed, and short path. Think there is room for more pop as he gets increased extension through contact, and he should hit for average Behind the dish he presents a big target for pitchers along with quick hands and feet in his exchange to throws. Confident footwork with no wasted movements and carry on throws.

 

 

Christian Martin SS / 2B / Amherst Co., VA / 2021 Martin is an uncommitted 2021 who has a pretty lefthanded swing. He is short to the ball with a very quick bat. Showed barrel awareness, some serious violence to his swing, ball jumps off of his bat. Gap power already with potential for more. Exit velocity was 85. Showed what will be a strong arm in the infield, up to 83 already. Fast and athletic, ran a 4.1 home to first and posted one of the better broad jump numbers. Martin has a chance to be a good defensive middle infielder at the next level with a lefthanded bat that provides power.

 

 

Aidan Foley LHP / OF / Western Branch, VA / 2020 Foley had a good day two ways. At the plate, hits from the right side, has a bit of an arm bar but his hands are quick enough that he can keep them inside the ball. Snaps the barrel quickly through the zone, some whip to his bat, gap power potential. Exit velocity was 90. Has some arm strength potential in the outfield and should have plenty of speed to stay in the outfield as he fills out. On the mound, Foley is a lefty who was up to 80 with a short quick arm action and feel for both of his offspeed pitches. Foley is an uncommitted prospect who will have the chance to contribute at the next level both ways.

 

 

Jack Carey OF / LHP / Miller, VA / 2019 Carey is a physical specimen and cuts an imposing figure. Hits from the left side at the plate and while the swing is a bit long and gets uphill when he is pulling the ball, there is no projecting his power because it is already present. Exit velocity was 97 and he is very strong, easy home run power to his pull side with a chance to develop that to all fields. Showed arm strength from the outfield, getting up to 87. On the mound, was 80-82 with a longer arm action, has some more in the tank when his fluid outfield arm action translates to the mound. Breaking ball was very good, late hard 12/6 break and good armspeed. Carey is an uncommitted prospect who has the potential to contribute on the mound and at the plate in college.

 

 

Michael Grupe RHP / 3B / Loudoun Valley, VA / 2019 Grupe attending the PBR Virginia/DC Fall Review West last fall at JMUand stole the show when he stepped on the mound. The uncommitted righthander followed that performance up with another strong one on Saturday, showing us that he already has the stuff he showed in October at this early point in the season. His fastball was 86-89 and he worked with normal effort. Feel for both offspeed pitches, change-up had some armspeed and fading action. Curveball had sharp 11/5 break.

 

 

Zachary Wojnarowski SS / RHP / Grafton, VA / 2019 Wojnarowski had a big statistical day and caught our attention. At the plate, he showed strength and power potential in his swing with an exit velocity of 93. Arm was up to 87 during his defensive showcase and he showed the athleticism that suggests he can stick at third or a corner outfield spot in college. On the mound, Wojnarowski worked with some effort, but the ball exploded out of his hand and he showed a quick arm action. Fastball was 87-89 with some angle and sink to it. Didn't throw a breaking ball, but his change-up had some sink and he had feel for it. Look for this uncommitted 2019 to debut high in the VA/DC rankings when we update them in March.