Class A Initial Power 5
March 27, 2018
By Dan Williams
West Virginia Director of Scouting
Throughout the West Virginia high school baseball regular season we will be posting a Power 5 in each classification. Updates will be made for Class AAA on Mondays, AA on Tuesdays and A on Wednesdays. Check back frequently at PBR West Virginia to follow team and individual results from the previous week. Today we take a a look at our initial A top 5.
CLASS A INITIAL POWER 5
1. Charleston Catholic
2. St. Joseph Central
3. Williamstown
4. Wheeling Central
5. Ravenswood
CHARLESTON CATHOLIC
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Brandon Combs, 3B/RHP, #9 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings, Transylvania recruit
Summary:
The defending state champion Irish deserve to be our early season number one based on tradition and talent. However, there is considerable parity in Class A and the road to a repeat will be challenging. Combs will be the engine that drives the bus both on the hill and with the bat.
ST. JOSEPH CENTRAL
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Noah Beter, SS/2B, #21 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings
2. Lenny Washington, RHP/3B, #4 PBR West Virginia Class of 2020 Rankings
Summary:
St. Joseph is an extremely young team who gained valuable experience last year. Relying on underclassmen to carry the load and lead can be difficult. However, this group has an opportunity to create a memorable couple years. Washington represents an intriguing young arm talent.
WILLIAMSTOWN
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Mason Adkins, 2B/OF, #12 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings, Western Carolina recruit
Summary:
The Yellowjackets have an opportunity to surprise this year. They like other Class A favorites have considerable young talent. However, they also have a respected senior leader in Adkins who will be counted on to put up numbers and be a coach on the field.
WHEELING CENTRAL
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Chris Furka, 3B/SS, #44 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings, Salem International recruit
2. Bryan Courts, SS/C, #50 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings, Wheeling Jesuit recruit
3. Sonny Peluchette, 2B/SS, #14 PBR West Virginia Class of 2020 Rankings
Summary:
After a somewhat up and down year in 2017, the Maroon Knights made an exciting playoff run. They were ultimately eliminated by Charleston Catholic in the state semifinal. As evidenced by the above list, the cupboard is not bare lending optimism to the potential for a return to the state tournament. Pitching will dictate the success of this group.
RAVENSWOOD
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Chase Swain, SS/RHP, #7 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings, Glenville State recruit
Summary:
The Red Devils will look to return to the state championship where they fell to Charleston Catholic in 2017. Swain will need to have an outstanding year for that to happen.
