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VA/DC Scout Blog: Hanover

March 8, 2022
Jason Burton
Scouting Director PBR Virginia/DC

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Our first scout blog of the year takes us to Hanover High School, where there was plenty of high end talent on display. Take a look as we break down the performances of several MLB Draft prospects, a few other D1 commits, and an intriguing '23 uncommitted left handed arm. 




There were a lot of eyes on Huesman Saturday, as this is one of the first times he has thrown for scouts in 2022. The Coastal Carolina commit and draft prospect flashed some of his high end stuff in his two innings of work. In the first inning he sat 93-94 mph and touched 95 mph. Spin generally ranged in the 2300-2450 RPM range, and with his lower slot, the fastball has riding life through the zone. With runners on base he was in the 90-91 mph range. Huesman's slider was the go to pitch, as he showed the confidence to throw it in any count. The slider sat 76-79 mph and ranged in the 2500-2650 RPM range, getting up to 2666 RPM once. The slider varied in shapes at times, but was best when he was getting more sweep to it. He also flashed one changeup at 81 mph. Even though it was only one changeup in warmups and one in game, he did show a little better feel for it than he showed in the handful of times that I saw it last year. In the second the fastball sat 89-91 mph and touched 92-93 mph. The slider was really tough on left handers and resulted in some uncomfortable at bats when he was able to produce more horizontal break on it. It was a good first look at Huesman and we will certainly get a few more looks in this spring.




Talk about a high school prospect that has to be trending up on some boards. Seth Keller was very very impressive on Saturday and seems like he gets better and better every time I see him. In the first game Keller played second base. The hands work, has above average foot speed, and arm to stay up the middle. At the plate it is a quick whippy bat that gets out of the zone quick. Keller flashed some of his in game power in multiple at bats. In his first at bat he doubled to center field, recording a 4.64 turn, and then tripled to deep center field later on. He would follow up those two barrels with a homerun out of left field. Most all of this came before he stepped on the mound and matched his teammate in the velocity department. Keller was also 93-95 mph in his first inning of work, while sitting 92-93 mph in his second inning. Keller also showed a really nice feel for his slider, sitting 80-83 mph, with some sweep and depth to the pitch. The spin on the slider got up to 2736 RPM during this outing. He showed one cutter during his two innings of work, this one a firm 88 mph with some late cutting action. Threw two changeups, one a 80 and one at 83 mph, with some feel for it and the ability to kill spin. This is a very intriguing follow as we head into the season and could gain some serious helium over the next month.




Peebles has always been known for his strong catch and throw abilities, but on Saturday he showed his continued growth at the plate. He had four hits on the day, two doubles into left center field (one RHH and one LHH), an RBI single, and a homerun out of centerfield from the left side. He showed balance and some rhythm in the swing. Hands load easy, simple stride, and the barrel gains extension through contact. He only had one at bat from the right side, but hit a double to left center in that at bat. If the offense continues to tick up like he showed Saturday, then watch for Peebles to climb up draft boards.




While it was only one inning of work, Van Alstine was pretty strong in his brief outing Saturday. The velo has ticked up just a bit, sitting 86-88 mph with the fastball. It didn't feel like one of those short appearances where he knew he was going to be done so he was just blowing it out. He was under control, had normal effort, and attacked hitters. After his first hitter he settled in well, flashing some fastball command to the glove side. The slider, which was his go to last year in tough situations, was 75-77 mph. He will present a tough challenge for opposing lineups, if he assumes a similar closer roll like he did last year. He pitches with a lot of energy and is not afraid of anyone he faces. The VMI commit brings a little Papelbon swagger and focus to the mound with him, which makes him exciting to watch.




Williamson, who was recently at our Preseason All State Richmond event, came on for one inning of work in the second scrimmage. The left hander has a short quick arm swing on the backside before throwing from an over-the-top slot. He creates some occasional downhill plane to the 83-85 mph fastball. The fastball touched 86 mph on his last pitch. He showed an average feel for the 72-74 mph breaking ball that had a gradual 12/6 break. He used the fastball on both sides of the plate and stayed out of the middle fairly well. He has added nice strength to his athletic frame and will be an interesting follow for coaches once they get out on the road this spring.





DeShazo has long been an intriguing prospect in the Richmond area and did nothing to discount that on Saturday. The 6-foot-6 Boston College commit held down shortstop the first game and made some really nice plays, especially a few coming forward on balls. Arm strength has improved, takes long strides, and is a well above average runner especially considering his size. One of the biggest questions for me on DeShazo was the consistency of contact. At times last year there was a little bit too much swing and miss at times, but the approach at the plate seems to have gotten better and looks like he has toned things down a bit. Wider stance, little to no stride, and short quick level path. Handled pitches up well, including a double on a hanging breaking ball.




It has been over a year since we have been able to get a look at the Future Games alum. Hustead looks to be back healthy and ready to throw more big innings for Hanover, just like he did as a freshman in 2019. Level hips and shoulders moving down the mound, lands on line, and a quick whippy three-quarter arm. The fastball was 85-88 mph while the breaking ball sat 74-76 mph with a 11/6 slurve shape. There is a lot of effort in the delivery and a reliever profile, but with the way that he attacks hitters, his makeup matches his approach on the mound.