Prep Baseball Report

VA/MD State Games: 2023 OF Breakdown


John Nolan
Nova

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In early November, over 140 players from Virginia, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina descended on War Memorial Stadium in Hampton, Virginia to take part in the 2021 VA/MD State Games. We continue our detailed breakdown of the event with the 2023 outfielders.

 

Jack Bowles OF / LHP / Hanover, VA / 2023

5-foot-7, 150-pound lanky projectable build. Confident in the box, the left-handed hitter's best exit velocity was 79 mph. (58.3 mph bat speed average). (18.4 mph hand speed average). Began in a balanced wide stance with a quick active load, then used a toe tap stride. Bat speed was quick efficient, displayed a level upward swing plane and high balanced finish. Through the round he found lots of barrels with some loud contact. Gap to gap approach. From the outfield, he made throws to the infield at velocities up to 78 mph; showed a quick natural exchange, sure consistent hands, and quick fluid feet. Fielded the ball out front with athletic movement laterally. Had a high ¾ slot and a longer quick arm action with decent accuracy to the base. Recorded a time of 7.21 in the 60-yard dash. 

Cole Carter OF / OF / DeMatha Catholic, MD / 2023

5-foot-11, 175-pound proportional strong build. Projectable during batting practice, Carter had a max exit velocity of 88 mph. (64.8 mph bat speed average). (19.4 mph hand speed average). Begins in a strong balanced stance with an active load, then uses a leg kick. Bat speed was quick, used a short rotational swing plane and high finish. Had some loud contact and found some barrels. Aggressive approach. Smooth athletic from the outfield, he showed the ability to throw at velocities up to 74 mph; has consistent hands, a natural clean exchange, and fluid feet. Fields the ball out front, movements laterally were athletic. Decent accuracy to the bases, used a high ¾ slot and a longer arm action. Displayed speed and athleticism at the event, recording a 60 time of 6.96. 

Elijah Coston OF / LHP / Thomas Dale , VA / 2023

6-foot, 170-pound lanky athletic frame. Above average projectable at the plate, the left-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 83 mph. (60.9 mph bat speed average). (23.0 mph hand speed average). Began in a balanced stance with a smooth controlled load, then used a short small leg kick. Has flashed raw bat speed, short level swing plane and level balanced finish. Found some barrels with loud contact. Up the middle approach. Solid from the outfield, he displayed a position velocity of 76 mph; had fluid quick footwork, consistent hands, and a clean natural exchange. Showed a long quick arm action and a ¾ slot with decent accuracy to the bag. During the event, ran the 60-yard dash in 7.04.

Leo Foust OF / 2B / Loyola-Blakefield, MD / 2023

5-foot-10, 175-pound projectable athletic build. Confident projectable during batting practice, Foust's best exit velocity was 94 mph. (68.2 mph bat speed average). (21.4 mph hand speed average). Began in a balanced athletic stance with a smooth rhythmic load, then used a controlled small leg kick. Had a level uphill swing plane, explosive efficient bat speed and high finish. Found lots of barrels with loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Athletic in the outfield, his best throw of the day was clocked at 74 mph; shows a clean fluid exchange, sure hands, and in control smooth feet. Movements laterally were athletic and he fields the ball out front. Decent accuracy to the bases, used a longer arm action with a high ¾ slot. Performed well in the 60-yard dash, clocking a speedy time of 6.9. 

Connor Hassan OF / LHP / Centreville, VA / 2023

5-foot-10, 165-pound lanky projectable build. Fluid projectable in the box, Hassan clocked an exit velocity of 89 mph. (68.8 mph bat speed average). (19.4 mph hand speed average). Began in a balanced open stance with a smooth rhythmic load, then used a big leg kick. Bat speed is efficient quick, exhibits a level swing plane and balanced finish. In the round he found some barrels with loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Athletic in the outfield, he showed the ability to make throws to the bases at 80 mph; shows a clean fluid exchange, consistent hands, and athletic quick feet. Fielded the ball out front with athletic movement laterally. Used a long arm action with a high ¾ slot while showing consistent accuracy to the bag. In the 60-yard dash, he clocked a time of 7.1. 

Logan Janney OF / 2B / Urbana, MD / 2023

 5-foot-9, 165-pound solid athletic frame. Confident during batting practice, the right-handed hitter recorded an exit velocity of 85 mph. (69.7 mph bat speed average). (21.0 mph hand speed average). Starts in a balanced stance with a rhythmic load, then uses a controlled toe tap stride. Bat speed is present, uses a short uphill swing plane and high finish. Found some barrels with loud contact. Gap to gap approach. From the outfield, his best throws to the bases were registered at 77 mph; has smooth athletic feet, a quick fluid exchange, and sure consistent hands. Movements laterally were athletic and he fields the ball out front. Consistent accuracy to the bag, used a longer quick arm action and a high ¾ slot. Clocked a 60 time of 7.18 at the event. 

Austin Jones OF / 2B / Hickory , VA / 2023

5-foot-10, 150-pound proportional athletic build. Smooth confident at the plate, Jones had an exit velocity of 88 mph. (66.0 mph bat speed average). (20.9 mph hand speed average). Begins in a balanced stance with an active rhythmic load, then uses a controlled big leg kick. Bat speed was quick efficient, had a short simple swing plane and balanced finish. Was able to create loud contact and found some barrels. Gap to gap approach. Athletic projectable from the outfield, he showed the ability to throw at velocities up to 80 mph; had sure hands, athletic in control footwork, and a clean fluid exchange. Decent accuracy to the bases, used a long arm action and an-over-the-top slot. The athletic recruit showcased his speed with a sub-seven 60 time of 6.94. 

Kyle Langley OF / LHP / Yorktown, VA / 2023

5-foot-11, 155-pound lanky projectable frame. At the plate, Langley recorded an exit velocity of 90 mph. (73.5 mph bat speed average). (21.8 mph hand speed average). Started in an open athletic stance with a rhythmic load, then used a controlled stride. Has present bat speed, upward swing plane and high balanced finish. Through the round he found lots of barrels with loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Smooth confident in the outfield, his best throw of the day was clocked at 80 mph; had a quick clean exchange, smooth consistent footwork, and sure hands. Movements laterally were athletic and he fields the ball out front. Consistent accuracy to the bag, used a high ¾ slot with a loose quick arm action. Showed off his speed at the event, running a swift 6.75 60-yard dash. 

Massimo Liuzzo OF / 1B / Walt Whitman , MD / 2023

 6-foot-3, 193-pound long athletic frame. Solid confident during batting practice, Liuzzo displayed an exit velocity of 97 mph, Ranks #1 with EV at the event. (75.7 mph bat speed average). (22.9 mph hand speed average). Started in a quiet balanced stance with a smooth compact load, then used a short small leg kick. Bat speed is flashed explosive, displays a short upward swing plane and high finish. He found lots of barrels with a lot of loud contact. Aggressive approach. Solid recorded an outfield position velocity of 80 mph; had a natural fluid exchange, soft hands, and consistent in control footwork. Used a longer loose arm action and a high ¾ slot while showing consistent accuracy to the bag. Clocked a time of 7.13 in the 60-yard dash.

Garrett Mason RHP / OF / Mills E. Godwin , VA / 2023

6-foot-4, 195-pound long athletic build. Confident in the box, Mason's best exit velocity was 92 mph. (67.3 mph bat speed average). (22.8 mph hand speed average). Starts in a balanced athletic stance with a tight quick load, then uses a short small leg kick. Has a level uphill swing plane, present bat speed and high finish. Barreled up multiple balls with a lot of loud contact. Aggressive approach. Confident athletic in the outfield, he showed the ability to make throws to the bases at 83 mph; had athletic in control footwork, soft sure hands, and a quick clean exchange. Fields the ball out front, movements laterally were athletic. Used a ¾ slot and a long loose arm action while showing consistent accuracy to the bag. Clocked a time of 7.37 in the 60-yard dash.

Keegan McGraw 2B / OF / Bishop O'Connell, VA / 2023

5-foot-11, 165-pound proportional athletic frame. During batting practice, the right-handed hitter had an exit velocity of 88 mph. (67.1 mph bat speed average). (18.1 mph hand speed average). Began in a balanced stance with an active load, then used a leg kick. Had a short uphill swing plane, efficient present bat speed and high finish. Found a few barrels with some loud contact. Gap to gap approach. Solid from the outfield, his best throws to the bases were registered at 75 mph; had firm hands, consistent in control footwork, and a clean exchange. Movements laterally were athletic and he fields the ball out front. Decent accuracy to the bases, used a longer arm action and a ¾ slot. Recorded a time of 7.18 in the 60-yard dash.

Nathaniel Tyree OF / RHP / Liberty Christian, VA / 2023

5-foot-8, 140-pound lean athletic frame. At the plate, the right-handed hitter clocked an exit velocity of 83 mph. (77.4 mph bat speed average). (21.7 mph hand speed average). Began in a balanced quiet stance with a compact load, then used a short controlled stride. Bat speed is above average, displays a short level swing plane and level finish. Found some barrels through his rounds. Up the middle approach. In the outfield, his best throws to the infield topped out at 75 mph; had developing footwork, consistent hands, and a clean fluid exchange. Fields the ball out front, movements laterally were developing. Had a longer arm action with a ¾ slot. Performed well in the 60-yard dash, clocking a speedy time of 6.95.