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By Sammy Serrano 
Director of Scouting-Prep Baseball Report VA/DC

On Sunday, February 15, Prep Baseball Report Virginia/DC hosted its first event of 2015, the Underclass Invitational for members of the 2017 and 2018 graduating classes. Over 70 players showcased their skills for PBR staff at Virginia Sports Complex in Ruther Glen, Virginia. All of these players will be eligible to receive invites to the Top Prospect Games (2017 Grads) at English Field on the campus of Virginia Tech and the Top Prospect Games (2018 Grads) at Liberty University this summer.  Players from this event will also be eligible to be selected to represent Team Virginia/D.C. in the Future Games Powered by Under Armour that will take place in Westfield, IN on July 29 – August 1. 

Here is the breakdown of the middle Infielders from the event...

Complete Statistical Analysis from the Underclass Invitational, CLICK HERE

middle infielder analysis:

+Brandon Benson, SS, C.D. Hylton, 2017
Hit from a tall/balanced stance and is very athletic. Very small load back with a slight arm bar. Took a short stride and stayed on line. Had good balance throughout the swing. Took a good approach at the plate during the session. Displayed average bat speed with a short, line drive stroke. Rhythm was a bit stiff which caused the swing to get out of the zone quickly. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a short arm action that is somewhat stiff and some accuracy. Fielded the ball deep in his stance and on his heels. Waited on the ball. Had average hands and feet but showed room to grow. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 73 mph.

+Luke Burton, MIF/RHP, The Covenant School, 2017
Hit from an athletic/balanced stance. Slight load back. Hands dropped to slot. Minimal stride with good balance. Hid his hands when striding. Good approach at the plate with confidence. Rhythm was smooth and swing was level. Swing had some length and got around the ball on occasion. Had an Exit Velocity of 74 mph. In the field, threw from a ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action with accuracy. Had athletic actions. (Foot injury prevented him from moving well laterally) Showed average hands with quick/clean exchanges. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 72 mph.

+Jaran Davis, SS, C.D. Hylton, 2017
Hit from an athletic.balanced stance that was slightly open. Smooth load back, with a slight leg kick and a short stride, that was on line. Had very good balance throughout the swing. Had a confident approach, fluid rhythm, short bat path, and good extension. Line drive swing that could spray the gaps. Tendency to pull on occasion (too much top hand). Had an Exit Velocity of 71 mph. In the field, threw from a ¾ arm slot with a short, stiff arm action with accuracy. Had athletic actions and played through the ball. Showed average hands with quick footwork and quick/clean exchanges. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 78 mph.

+Jacob Haney, MIF/RHP, The Covenant School, 2017
Hit from an athletic/balanced stance that was slightly closed. Hands moved back during his load. Used an inward turn to generate torques. Had a minimal stride that was on line. Good approach at the plate. Was comfortable and confident. Rhythm was a bit stiff. Short bat path that was level. Power potential to the pull side. Line drive stroke. Had an Exit Velocity of 81 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a long arm action with accuracy. Had some life. Had athletic actions and played through the ball. Showed average hands with quick/fluid footwork and quick/clean exchanges. Showed slightly above-average arm strength with a Positional velocity of 81 mph.

+Hunter Hopkins, MIF/C, Powhatan, 2018
From the Left, hit from a tall/athletic stance with high hands. Has a pronounced load back. Gets into his legs with a slight arm bar and drops his hands. Has a leg kick (tap step) and has balance in the swing. Stays on line throughout. Showed a good approach and showed rhythm. Swing was slightly uphill but showed the ability to consistently square the ball up. Had an Exit Velocity of 67 mph. From the Right, hit from a tall/athletic stance with high hands. Has a quick load back and has an arm bar. Hides his hands. Good approach during the session. Got around the ball at times. Showed pull-power potential. Had an Exit Velocity of 67 mph. In the field, threw from a ¾ arm slot with a long arm action that was accurate. Played through the ball. Showed average hands with fluid footwork and quick/clean exchanges. Posted a Positional Velocity of 70 mph.

+Jake Kleifges, SS, Briar Woods, 2017
Hits from a balanced/athletic stance with high hands. Has a small load back with a slight arm bar. Short stride with a leg kick. Stays on line and balanced throughout the swing. Jumps at ball on occasion. Had a good approach with stiff rhythm. Has explosive hands and bat speed (86 mph Exit Velocity). Took a short path to the ball with extension. Gap-Gap swing with power potential.

+Ryan Miles, MIF/RHP, Woodgrove, 2017
Hit from an open/balanced stance. Hands went back and down during load with a slight bar. Short stride back to neutral. Had balance in the swing. Good approach at the plate with inconsistent rhythm. Had a level path to the ball that was long occasionally. Line drive swing to the pull side. Had an Exit Velocity of 82 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action that was accurate. Waited on the ball and fielded the ball deep in his stance on his heels. Showed average hands with quick footwork and clean/long exchanges. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 79 mph.

+Hayden Mitchell, MIF/C, St. Christopher's, 2017
Hit from a tall/athletic stance that was balanced. Had a minimal load back with a small stride. Utilized an inward turn of the knee to create torque. Was confident at the plate. Had inconsistent rhythm. When on time, stayed on line and the bat had life. Good path to the ball, had extension. Line drive stroke that will produce gap-gap results. Had an Exit Velocity of 79 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action with accuracy. Had athletic actions and played through the ball. Showed soft hands with fluid footwork and quick/clean exchanges. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 69 mph.

+Eric Picucci, MIF, Midlothian, 2017
Hit from a balanced stance that is wide with high hands. Minimal load back with a small leg kick and short stride. Has a tendency to dive. Good approach at the plate with fluid rhythm. Short/level path. Hands drag a bit. Line drive swing that stays through the middle of the field. Has an Exit Velocity of 74 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a short arm action that was accurate. Waited on the ball but showed fluid footwork. Had soft hands and clean exchanges. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 71 mph.

+Garret Price, SS, Liberty Christian Academy, 2016
Hit from a balanced/athletic stance with a strong base. Has a smooth load back with a short stride. Balance throughout the swing. Solid approach during the round with presence and a fluid rhythm. Short, level path to the ball with extension. Line drive/gap-gap swing with power potential. Had feel for the barrel. Had an Exit Velocity of 85 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a short, loose arm action with accuracy and life. Had athletic actions and played through the ball. Showed soft hands with quick/fluid footwork and quick/clean exchanges. Showed above average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 85 mph.

+James Price, MIF/RHP, Patriot, 2017
Hit from and athletic/balanced stance that was open and tall. Smooth load back that was short. Took a short stride that maintained balance. Good approach at the plate with fluid rhythm. Short, level path to the ball. Line drive stroke with an Exit Velocity of 71 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a short, loose arm action that is very accurate. Had good actions and played through the ball. Showed soft hands with fluid footwork and clean exchanges. Lacks some foot speed. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 75 mph.

+Matthew Ritchie, MIF, Broad Run, 2017
From the Left, hit from a athletic/balanced stance that was slightly closed. Had a small load back and got over the backside. Short stride with a small leg kick. Good approach with confidence. Had rhythm. Short/level path to the ball with life in the hands. Created backspin. Line drive swing with the ability to hit with some power. Stayed on line and was balanced. Had an Exit Velocity of 82 mph. From the Right, has an athletic/balanced stance. Has a minimal load with a small leg kick and short stride. Good approach with fluid rhythm. Short bat path that was in and out of the zone at times. Line drive/gap swing that shows some power potential. Had an Exit Velocity of 79 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a short arm action that was accurate. Had athletic actions. Showed soft hands with quick footwork and quick exchanges. Used his feet well. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 76 mph.

+Gregory Ryan, SS, Benedictine College Prep, 2018
Hit from a tall stance with flexed knees. Was loaded on the backside to start. Had a minimal load back that was smooth. Took a short stride that was on line and had balance throughout the swing. Was confident in his ability to hit and had rhythm to match. Had good hands with average bat speed (79 mph Exit Velocity). Took a short path to the ball with good extension. Line drive stroke that is gap-gap. Can really hit. In the field, threw from a ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action with accuracy. Had athletic actions and played through the ball. Has feel. Showed soft hands with fluid footwork and quick/clean exchanges. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 75 mph.

+Zach Runk, 2B, Massaponax, 2017
Hit from a balanced/athletic stance that was slightly open. Had a smooth load back with the hands. Took a short stride to the pitcher and stayed on line and showed balance in the swing. Had a very confident presence at the plate. Showed average bat speed (79 mph Exit Velo). Had a short/level stroke that was gap-gap. The rhythm was inconsistent at times, but when fluid, showed the ability to hit with some flick. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a short, loose arm action with accuracy. Played through the baseball with average hands, clean footwork, and quick/clean transitions. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 71 mph.

+Tyler Tarrh, SS, Caroline, 2017
Hit from a tall/athletic stance that was slightly open. Had high hands. Quick load back with hands, complemented with, an inward turn of the knee. Had a minimal stride and stayed balanced and on line. Had a good approach at the plate with good confidence. Somewhat stiff rhythm and starts very early. Short stroke with extension. Has a line drive/gap-gap stroke. Has an very good bat speed with an Exit Velocity of 83 mph. In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a long, loose arm action with accuracy. Waited on the ball. Had methodical footwork, average hands, and clean/long exchanges. Showed slightly above-average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 81 mph.

+Garrett Thomas, MIF, Patriot, 2018
Hit from a balanced/athletic stance that was slightly open. Has a linear load back with a slight arm bar. Took a short stride. Landed slightly open. Took a good approach during the session but had a stiff rhythm. Had a bit of a long swing and kept the barrell in the zone for a long time which created a level, line drive stroke. Had a bat speed (68 mph Exit Velo). In the field, threw from a high ¾ arm slot with a short, stiff arm action with accuracy. Fielded the ball deep in his stance and on his heels. Had average hands with average feet and clean exchanges. Showed average arm strength with a Positional Velocity of 69 mph.
 

2015 Team previews:

CLICK HERE, to see the entire list of 2015 Virginia/DC Team Previews