Class AAA Initial Power 5
March 23, 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 kick off coverage with a look at our initial AAA top 5.
Class aaa initial power 5
1. St. Albans Red Dragons
2. Hurricane Redskins
3. Washington Patriots
4. George Washington Patriots
5. Jefferson Cougars
St. Albans
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Chase Matheny, LHP, #36 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
2. Akili Johnson, SS/2B, #46 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
2. Jake Carr, LHP/OF, #2 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings, West Virginia Commit
3. Nick Loftis, 3B/RHP, #3 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings
4. Ridge Lester, RHP/3B, #8 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings
5. Connor Fizer, OF/RHP, #20 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings
6. Ayden Hodges, LHP/1B, #1 PBR West Viirginia Class of 2020 Rankings
7. Casey Kemplin, SS/2B, #7 PBR West Vrginia Class of 2020 Rankings
8. Noah Cummings, 1B/3B, #8 PBR West Virginia Class of 2020 Rankings
Summary:
The defending state champions are poised to make another run at the title. This group while still relatively young has few holes. They are deep on the mound and have the luxury of being able to match up with quality arms from both the left and right sides. Offensively, the lineup is balanced with middle of the order pop. It will be interesting to see how the Red Dragons respond to being the hunted as they will undoubtedly be getting opponents' best efforts night in and night out.
hurricane
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Noah Short, RHP, #4 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings, Moorehed State Commit
2. Chandler Kelly, SS/2B, #5 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings, Marshall Commit
3. Liam Bailey, RHP/OF, #11 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
4. Nathaniel Dunham, 3B/OF, #21 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
5. Jacob Allen, C, #22 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018, Daytona State JC Commit
6. Noah Birthisel, OF/1B, #27PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings, West Virginia Weslyan Commit
7. Jonathon Blackwell, LHP, #1 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings, Coastal Carolina Commit
8. Austin Dearing, OF, #3 PBR West Virginia Class of 2020 Rankings
Summary:
Although they do possess young talent, Hurricane is a more senior laden squad than St. Alban's. That leadership should serve them well as they look to avenge last year's state championship loss. The lefty-righty, one-two punch of Blackwell and Short are formidable on the hill.
washington
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Spencer DeLawder, OF, #16 PBR West Virginia Class Of 2018 Rankings
2. Cameron Pine, C/OF, #19 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
3. Dalton Jackson, OF, #29, PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
4. Craig Link, RHP/SS, #37, PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
5. Trey Virts, OF, #40 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
6. Nathan Kerr, LHP/1B, #41 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
7. Zachary Depoy, RHP/3B, #53 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
8. Cullen Watson, 2B/RHP, #58 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018 Rankings
Summary:
Washington is loaded with seniors who gained valuable experience playing in the state tournament last year. The pitching is not overpowering, however, there is mound depth. Offensively, this team should score runs and has the ability to manufacture with solid all around athleticism and team speed.
George washington
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Grant Wells, SS/RHP, #5 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings, Marshall football Commit
2. Aidain Johnson, C/1B, #9 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings
3. Paul Boddy, RHP/1B, #16 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings
4. Preston Taylor, OF, #44, PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings
5. Tanner Williams, 3B/RHP, #49 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings
6. Elias Miller, 2B/SS, #54 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019 Rankings
7. Brayden McCallister, SS/2B, #5 PBR West Virginia Class of 2020 Rankings
8. Trey Ritchie, RHP/OF, #11 PBR West Virginia Class of 2020 Rankings
Summary:
This will be an enjoyable group to watch develop as there is a considerable amount of young talent. Overall athleticism will be this team's strength. As is the case with all good teams, the middle of the diamond will be solid with Johnson behind the plate, Wells and McCallister in the middle infield and Taylor roaming the outfield. The young but capable Ritchie will be needed on the mound.
Jefferson
PBR Ranked Players:
1. Daniel Brennan, OF/2B, #28 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018, Hood College Commit
2. Corey Roman, OF, #43 PBR West Virginia Class of 2018
3 .Taylor Tennant, 3B/RHP, #29 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019
4. Cory Daly, SS/RHP, #35 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019
5. Jordan Trunnell, RHP/2B, #38 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019
6. Dylan McCartney, C, #53 PBR West Virginia Class of 2019
7. Mason Lantz, 3B, #15 PBR West Virginia Class of 2020
Summary:
Perennial power Jefferson will be looking to return to the state tournament where they have been a fixture in years past. Washington, among others, will provide a formidable obstacle. However, the above group provides optimism that the Cougars can get back to where they are accustomed to being.
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