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Updated VA/DC Class Of 2018 Rankings

August 7, 2017

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By  Jerry Shank
MD/VA Director

Today we release the updated 2018 class rankings for Virginia/DC. 50 new faces come to the rankings as we now expand to the top 180 players in the 2018 class. This is a direct result from of our boots-on-the-ground scouting, cover high school games over the spring, our own events over the summer, and other selective events across the commonwealth. Lets take a look into the updated rankings.

Holding on to the No. 1 spot is Miller School catcher Adam Hackenberg. The Clemson commit is slowly separating himself from the pack as he continues to get better and a solid showing on the National circuit this summer. Hanover RHP/SS Jack Dragum (Virginia commit) holds on to the No. 2 slot with our first riser, Wesley Clarke of Liberty Christian (South Carolina) moving up one spot to No. 3.

Cade Hungate rounds out the top five as the Abingdon HS product and Florida State commit takes the No. 5 spot. Hungate is an athletic middle infielder with a fast first step and arm strength on the mound. In the regional 3A semi final against Turner Ashby, Hungate was 87-89 on the mound in a relief appearance for us, then a week later reportedly touched 92.

Newcomers in the top ten include St. Christopher uber athlete Nick Biddison (North Carolina) and First Colonial RHP Graham Firoved (Radford). Biddison impressed us with his ability at the plate in game at the Virginia/DC Top Prospect Games while putting up great numbers on the day. Firoved has continued to climb up the charts this spring/summer culminating with a nice showing at East Coast Pro.

Top Newcomers to the rankings include Jimmy Loper, a recent Duke commit. Loper had a strong season for Hickory this spring as part of a top 1-2 combination with Hunter Gregory (ODU). Loper has taken advantage of this summer to make a jump in velocity matching his projectable frame.

Marty Neal of Gar-Field HS (Harford CC) is our second biggest newcomer to the rankings after his impressive performance at the commonwealth games. Neal got up to 89 on the bump with his compact frame. You can see more on Neal in our Virginia/DC Scout Blog from the Commonwealth Games.

Other top newcomers include: Carter Bosch of Potomac School, Ryan Shavers of Grassfield, Zach Sanders of Woodside (VMI), Tyler Jarrett of Tunstall (Cornell), Tanner Moyers of Turner Ashby, and Brelon Harden of Great Bridge (VMI).

Biggest riser in the rankings goes to Hunter Hoopes of WT Woodson (UNC-Asheville). Hoopes has jumped into the top 20 of the rankings. We always knew that he was going to make a jump in velocity with his youthful frame and quick arm, and this summer was just that time. Hoopes got up to 87 when we got to see him up in New Jersey in a rain-soaked start at a tournament, then topped out at 89 mph at the Virginia/DC Top Prospect Games. Hoopes still needs to refine his secondary arsenal, but there is still more in the tank in the arm who could continue to jump in velocity. 

Other big risers include a trio of arms that have made jumps in velocity recently which also turned into commitments. Carter Spivey of Paul VI (East Carolina), Wilson Ayers of Briar Woods (Navy), and Chase Smith of Lafayette (VMI) are all part of the big risers in the 2018 rankings.

Although a major update, we are still not done. On top of our next update coming around Thanksgiving, we will have an instant update after this week's unsigned senior games to reflect the new faces that we will see from our 50 plus participants that will be in attendance this Wednesday. Here is a sneak peek into the top 10.

1 Adam Hackenberg VA Miller School 2018 C Clemson
2 Jack Dragum VA Hanover 2018 SS Virginia
3 Wesley Clarke VA Liberty Christian 2018 C South Carolina
4 Cristian Sanchez VA Centreville 2018 RHP Virginia
5 Cade Hungate VA Abingdon 2018 3B Florida State
6 Will Schroeder VA Freedom-South Riding 2018 SS North Carolina
7 Tevin Tucker VA Prince George 2018 SS West Virginia
8 Nick Biddison VA St. Christopher's 2018 SS North Carolina
9 Graham Firoved VA First Colonial 2018 RHP Radford
10 Nic Kent VA St. Anne's Belfield 2018 SS Virginia

CLICK HERE to see the entire top 180 of the 2018 class in Virginia.

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