Prep Baseball Report

Spring Forward: Beach/SW VA Arms To Watch


Jerry Shank
PBR Maryland & Virginia/DC Executive Director

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Continuing our Spring Forward series, one thing that needs to be said when it comes to talented arms around the commonwealth is "Hey, don't forget the rest of the Commonwealth". That is the truth. Today we take a look at arms from around the Beach area along with numerous other talents in the Southwest.

Dalton Barham LHP Maury 2019 (Norfolk State)
Barham adds to an interesting 1-2 combination at Maury with RHP Ben Capehart. A long and lanky frame is Barham with a low 80’s fastball right now, but shows arm speed for more down the road and a lot of deception in his delivery that will make it tough on hitters facing him.

Tanner Barrs LHP/1B Abingdon (Radford)
Barrs has been an offensive force for Abingdon since his sophmore season where he stuck out to us in that wild regional championship in 2017 that came up just short against Turner Ashby. Barrs has always been one of the top players for Abingdon with his two way talent but has some what had to play second fiddle to Cade Hungate and Thomas Francisco. That will be no more as Barrs should anchor the staff this season and again be a mainstay in the middle of the Falcon lineup. Do not be surprised if the Falcons do not miss a beat in 2019.

Ben Capehart RHP Maury 2019 (VMI)
Another big riser over the summer of 2018 was Maury’s Capehart, who rode a hot spring season through the summer months and saw his velocity continue to climb. Capehart has been up to 88 mph on the bump and shows more in the tank with his best years yet to come.

Trey Carter RHP/OF Carlisle School 2020 (Florida State)
Carter arguably in the most explosive player in the entire commonwealth, with a fastball that has already been up to 93 mph. If Carter is on point, he has the stuff that could take over a game. Combine him with their talented 2021 Garrett Kangas, and Carlisle have the potential makings of a staff that could help return them to the VISAA state championship weekend.

Tyler Davis LHP Menchville 2020 (VCU)
Davis transferred to Menchville this year from Grafton and looks like he will take over a top of the rotation spot. The talented lefty has a mid-80’s fastball with the ability to pitch to both sides of the plate and should see a big role for the Monarch’s this spring. The addition of Davis to the staff will form an impressive 1-2 punch this spring with returner Phillip Forbes V (James Madison) returning.

Mason Delane RHP Colonial Beach (VCU) 2019
Delane put together an impressive season for Colonial Beach last spring, racking up double digit strikeouts in multiple games during the season. Delane brings a load of projection and untapped potential to his game and I am excited to see how he continues to develop this spring.

Trey Gibson Grafton 2020 (Liberty)
If you want to see a big projectable pitcher with lots of upside look no further than 2020 Liberty commit Trey Gibson. The Grafton  prospect has shown the ability to throw up some good numbers, getting up to 89 this summer. His simple and efficient mechanics make his effectiveness on the mound something to watch. Trey is very efficient in his outings and will be the focal point on a loaded Grafton pitching staff and team that should be the team to beat in Division 4.

Grafton HS arms

Zach Wojnarowski RHP/SS 2019 (VMI)
Joseph Majewicz LHP 2019 (Radford)
Andrew Shartzer RHP 2019 (Paul D Camp)
Mark Petko RHP 2020 (Radford)

It would be poor of us if we forgot to mention the insanely deep pool of talent that the Clippers have on the mound. It's just easier to say "catch a Grafton game this spring". Look for Gibson, Majewicz, Shartzer and Petko to headline the rotation with potentially Wojnarowski taking a closer role because they will want his glove at shortstop. Rumor has it, there is another talented youngster potentially in the mix as well. All told, it’s an impressive staff for the Clippers in 2019.

Drew Harlow RHP Halifax (Radford) 2019
Harlow had a big year on the mound for Halifax in the closers role, averaging over a strikeout per inning while shutting the door on opponents last spring. The right-handed arm possesses a fastball that has touched low 90’s and Harlow might be called upon this season to take over as staff ace for another talented Halifax team looking to make a run in 5A. Harlow is a Radford commit.

Tyler Horton LHP Princess Anne 2020
Horton is an impressive 2020 prospect with a high ceiling and a strong 2 pitch combination with his fastball and breaking ball. A year under his belt combined with sophomore Jordan Irizarry will give Princess Anne a formidable 1-2 punch this spring.

Avery Mabe RHP George Wythe 2020 (Virginia)
Mabe, a Virginia commit, is one of the more exciting arms in the Virginia 2020 class. The athletic and projectable righty out of southwest Virginia impressed this summer with an upper 80’s fastball and knows how to pitch. Don’t be surprised to see another jump this spring from the righty that will give Wythe HS a chance to win every time he toes the rubber.

Nic Psimas RHP Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 2019 (Virginia Tech)
Psimas has an imposing frame on the mound with his 6-foot-6 body with length. He has an easy delivery that generates impressive velocity combined with the size and frame. Psimas will be one to watch this spring as a strong season from the righty could equal a nice postseason run for Nansemond-Suffolk in the VISAA playoffs.

Geo Rivera RHP Lafayette (Old Dominion) 2019
This two-way talent for Lafayette has one of the most electric fastballs in the state with his low 90’s heat. When his hard slider is on he is one of the toughest arms to handle, and that will play a big role for the success of Lafayette this spring once again. The Old Dominion commit could see pro interest with a strong spring this year.

Sam Rochard RHP Warhill 2019 (Virginia Tech)
Rochard was another late riser who took advantage of continued success all the way to his commitment to Virginia Tech towards the end of the summer. Rochard will need to have a big season on the bump for the Lions to make a postseason run.

Drew Stanley RHP Hickory 2020
Stanley turned into a key arm for Hickroy as the spring progressed in 2018 and look for the talented junior to see an increased role this spring.

Jacob Watters RHP Bland Co. (West Virginia) 2019
One of the biggest risers in the 2019 class last summer, Watters is an integral part of Bland County and the success of their season. An easy delivery for the righty has generated a fastball up to 92 last summer. He will give the Bears an opportunity to win every time he toes the rubber.

Christian Worley RHP Halifax 2020 (Virginia Tech)
Worley saw limited innings last spring for a veteran pitching staff at Halifax in 2018 and should see a significant increase in time this upcoming spring. The Virginia Tech commit could see himself in the role that Drew Harlow was in last season coming out of the pen as their closer. Either way, the Comets possess two big time arms in their staff for 2019.