Skip to main content

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Jeff Petty started Hurricanes North as an outgrowth of the Hurricanes program that has rivaled the Dirtbags in NC for some time. His team has been around for maybe 3-4 years now.

At this point, there are not that many options for high level travel play. You either link up with the Braves, the Hurricanes, or perhaps one of the few scout teams. Others crop up from time to time, but so far these are the ones that are showing staying power from year to year.

The Hurricanes did combine squads to head to Jupiter last fall, getting in for the first time. That makes them, like the Braves and the scout teams, one of the top squads a player should look into before choosing one. Jupiter is far and away the most important travel tournament for a HS player, but you have to be on a team that gets in -- the field is limited.

There's more talent around here than there are vehicles to get them all out there. Most of the squads just mentioned are pretty well stocked as a result.

We have all sorts of travel teams at the youth level -- probably too many in some ways -- but we could probably use a few more high level travel teams for high school players.
Many 2009 prospects are now considering college offers, while many others are waiting for their first or additional offers. If you know of a 2009 prospect that might benefit from some additional publicity, shoot as an email (VaPreps@aol.com). We are looking for baseball prospects to feature on our site, which is read by college coaches from programs up and down the East Coast!
Additionally we have just updated our 'prospect listings' for the classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011...

Check out the top prospect listing

If you know of additional prospects that should be considered for our listings, please contact us at the email address listed above.

Thanks!
I certainly appreciate the exposure you're trying to give the players in the state, but I'm a little curious how these lists are put together. It just strikes me as a bit odd that you can have TEN "top prospects" in the class of 2009 from a single school and then have TEN MORE "top prospects" in the class of 2010 from the SAME SCHOOL. I mean many of these "top prospects" won't even be playing for the varsity team at their school. Aren't you worried that your listing will lose a lot of its credibility with 20 kids listed from the same school?
quote:
Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
We have all sorts of travel teams at the youth level -- probably too many in some ways -- but we could probably use a few more high level travel teams for high school players.


The Va Wildcats will be extending our teams to include 15U, 16U and 17U next year. With the success of our lower age groups, we feel we have the coaching staff that has the knowledge and connections to properly showcase VA's talent.
Let's go back to the question about the 10 2009 Top Prospects from one school and 10 2010 Top Prospects from the same school (including players who have not yet played HS varsity baseball). How do we determine that a kid is a prospect if he has never played HS varsity baseball before? Speed, velocity, strength. . . Even if a current 2010 who had not played varsity ball was at the top of the meter in all of these (and he'd be very unusual if he were), there are 100 different factors that come into play in determining baseball success. So how does that kid become a Top Prospect? And if a school is THAT stacked, with 20 Top Prospects, how does it lose a game?
I looked at the lists and could not tell who you are talking about. I did notice that some kids on the list are listed twice, so make sure you're not counting them twice.

I think VaPreps simply takes nominations from their sources in the area to develop a master list, then later will attempt to gather evaluations from some sources they deem reliable to rank their top however many.

Some folks may be a bit overly aggressive in nominating their players. But I can't find any school on the list with 20 players named.

Anyway, we've veered pretty far off the thread topic at this point. Maybe you should post your question on a VaPreps message board?
Isaac, as usual, is talking about PVI. They have 10 2009 and 10 2010's on the 2009 and 2010 lists, however, all but one of them have not yet seen any significant varsity action at PVI. That's not a knock on these kids, as PVI had a very strong class of seniors in 2008, so many of these juniors and sophs, if they had stayed at their home public schools, would have earned high school varsity honors already.

These kids must be nominated based on the potential they've demonstrated in non varsity action, fall and summer travel teams, and various showcases. I'm sure there are coaches, players, and parents at many public high schools in the areas that wish these kids had stayed with their local public programs.

It's interesting that other than Chad Morgan, who is signed at VT, the other two PVI kids who deserve to be on the lists based on their 2008 PVI play would be Tyler Costello (2010) and Lance Veeder (2011). Where are they?

The challenge PVI has going forward is whether or not they can keep bringing in as many quality kids as they have the past few years and keeping them all happy. A high number of the 2008 group were 3 year starters, so many of the 2009's sat for their soph and junior years. For most of the 2010's, it will be the same. In the extreme, can you get 9+ seniors placement into college programs year in year out? Is practicing against the older guys but waiting your turn to see the field until you are a senior worth it? Is it worth going to a PVI for two years to see if you can get limited time as a junior and then maybe significant time as a senior? Many are doing it, but time will tell.
quote:
Is there a precedent (in the last 5 years or so) for any high level Div 1 football qb (ACC, SEC, Big 10, Pac 10, Southwest) playing baseball for his college?


Josh Fields, he played QB for Oklahoma State and played 3rd baseball for the baseball team. While he was the starting QB OSU beat instate rival OU 1 or 2 times.

Many of you now know Josh Fields as a Chicago White Sox player now, playing 3rd base when Joe Crede gets a day off or is on the DL
Back to Paul VI - at last check they had nine members of the 2008 class sign scholarships - so it would not be unreasonable that there might be 10 underclassmen (or more) at the school that could end up being college recruits.

The listing on our site is for 'potential college prospects' which is fairly wide swipe for listing of prospects in Virginia....
Spartan/VaPreps: I did not have insight into the fact that this was PVI. But last year's group would seem to have been unusual. 9 Div I quality players on one team. And they still did not win their Conference Tournament (though they did win the WCAC regular season title). Their rising group certainly has talent, but if Chad Morgan and Tyler Costello are missing from the list, it must be because they are already committed or something. Morgan is going to Va Tech. Costello has had offers, I think, as a pitcher, from Div I schools. After that, there are some very, very good rising seniors and juniors with the talent to play college baseball. It is a great program, but I don't think they can keep up a 9 Div I players per year pace.
Maybe we need to start a 2010 thread to handle the early commits in the junior class?

It just goes to show how much earlier and earlier folks are committing. The first ones I heard of in the nation, just two years ago (2008 class) were around Thanksgiving. So now the 2010 class is 6 weeks ahead of even that early pace!
This topic has been covered repeatedly. Look under Recruiting Questions if you like.

Basically anyone can shake hands on anything at any time. Either can welsh out prior to signing an NLI, but most commitments are honored.

There are limits on how and how often you can communicate, but lots of communication goes on with underclassmen within the rules.
Shantzee - you need to take a closer look at what VMI has done in baseball over the past 8 years. I have a very normal kid that went there and he has now played four years of pro ball, getting ready to start his fifth. VMI has a very solid baseball program. Coach Ikenberry has done an outstanding job and is a great recruiter in the state. When you go to VMI you leave there being prepared for the game of LIFE and you can assured that VMI will bring out the best in you. If your not afraid of hard work then every normal kid should consider VMI as an option.
"Quite heavy on partials"? As compared to whom?

If you can find any full rides -- I mean REAL full rides, the kind football and basketball players get -- let us know.

I think this may have been inartfully stated, but I do agree that a player heading to VMI has to be careful that he's not just going there because he was a baseball recruit. No matter where you're going, you need to be sure the school is for you as a school, with or without baseball. The VMI experience is wonderful if that is what you want; it is a great bonding experience that lasts a lifetime. But it's clearly not for everybody. Baseball or no baseball, VMI sees a very high attrition rate with every year's freshman class.

In the new NCAA world order, where transfers must now sit out a year of baseball to regain eligibility, you need to be sure you want the full VMI experience. But from what I've seen, the staff there is doing a great job of making sure their recruits are on board for the whole thing. I don't see a lot of their big recruits leaving from one year to the next. And when you think of where the baseball program has come from, and where it has gotten to, you have to say they have done one heckuva job there.
Wow, Sorry for making an obvservation. Blaster, I didn't say VMI wasn't good for changing people into men, you took my sentence out of context. When I said normal I wasn't meaning normal Baseball players, I meant Normal teens that are afraid to get yelled at, pushed around, get their hands dirty, and party all the time. Superball hit it right on the head. VMI isn't the normal college atmosphere and if someone sticks it out for four years to play ball, then they should be commended and given utmost respect. And Midlo says what I try to say, but better than I can... Thank you (not sarcastic there)
Last edited by Shantzee
The Coach obviously feels he has walked into a garden of young talent because he has made a sincere approach to the area and the players in it.I have spoken to other Coaches and they are complimentary of the program and seem to seek VMI out for competitive games.I wish other schools would come down to these local Districts and see these kids play.Remember,this schools guiding light is not Baseball.I am sure they want to know when the door drops all are running the same direction?Baseball is a compliment to the school and an activity for these young men.When the young players from this program get thrown out the only difference is they answer "thank you sir".When they win they say "Come back soon".
quote:
Originally posted by Shantzee:
So I guess no respect is due for Haitsuka??


He gets respect for be a D1 talent, but doesn't get moral respect for making a choice to go through Ratline training and living the VMI lifestyle for four years. VMI is not a service academy, if he went to an institution that sent its students to war, he gets the utmost respect. I doubt he'll be there for four years though, the professionals are calling
quote:
Originally posted by DDbaseballClub:
From the Mid-Atlantic Mets (played in at least 1 tournament):

Zack Leach, UNC - Greensboro
Patrick Kuhns, Wingate
Casey Johns, Gardner-Webb
Mike Spring, Mary Washington
Chris Taylor, Rider
Blake Boyce, Campbell


Great news for Leach! Watched him play several times; probably not at his best position as a catcher, but works hard and is a good athlete. Could see him ultimately as a multi-tooled centerfielder...
Hey Brad, Probably be seeing you at Wake next month for the tournament? I'm going on at least one of the days. Don't know which yet. Probably when ODU play WF. Stay in touch!

Yes, It's kind of creepy how quiet this list is. Perhaps there is some new kind of strategy being incorporated due to the rules changes? Or maybe it's due to the players needing to make sure their making the right school choice due to the transfer limitations? Probably many more will go in the late signing period.
I know most of these have been mentioned but this is from PG...

Tyler Webb Northampton VA LHP South Carolina
Kyle Long Halifax VA LHP Longwood
John Beasley Norfolk Academy VA RHP Pennsylvania
Jack McLindon Langley VA MIF Davidson
Ethan Carter Menchville VA RHP South Carolina
Jeff Griffith Deep Run VA RHP George Washington
Michael Olivo Greenbrier Christian Academy VA 1B VMI
Bryn Renner West Springfield VA MIF North Carolina (FB)
Zach Tessier Bishop O'Connel VA C High Point
Ryan Moriarty Potomac VA RHP Mount St. Mary's
Seth Potter harrisonburg VA MIF Delaware Tech
Patrick Scoggin Douglas S Freeman VA RHP Virginia Tech
Brandon Kuter Robinson Secondary VA RHP George Mason
Whitley Mayberry St. Stephens/St. Agnes School VA RHP Virginia
Blake Hauser Manchester VA RHP VCU
Jackson Shaver Jamestown VA MIF William and Mary
John Colella Chantilly VA RHP Holy Cross
Rob Malan Potomac Falls VA 2B VCU
Cory Turner Osbourn VA OF Radford
J T Wauford Steward School VA RHP Clemson
Cameron Giannini Hargrave Military Academy VA RHP Liberty
Zach Leach Herndon VA C UNC-Greensboro
Matt Armstead Menchville VA OF VMI
John Garrett Maury VA RHP VMI
Brett Goodloe St. Annes Belfield, VA VA RHP William and Mary
Chris Taylor Cox VA SS Virginia
Brian Derner Lake Braddock VA LHP George Washington
Ricardo Perez James Madison VA 1B Lehigh
Alejandro Jacquez James Madison VA C Lehigh
Nick Kime mt view VA SS VCU
Kyle Haynes Mountain View VA RHP VCU
Brock Wilson Liberty Christian VA RHP Gardner Webb
Josh Richardson Greenbrier Christian Academy VA Liberty
Michael Green Thomas Dale VA UNC-Charlotte
Chad Morgan Paul VI Catholic VA C Virginia Tech
Matt Doyle Flint Hill School VA RHP Harvard
Ryan Burgess Steward VA OF Radford
Cody Reeves Notre Dame Academy VA OF Towson State
Ryan Montgomery Prince George VA C Norfolk State
Travis Thomas Riverbend VA RHP VMI
Sammy Serafine Greenbrier Christian Academy VA MIF Norfolk State
Shane Hoggard Bethel VA 1B Norfolk State
Erickson Keeton Nansemond River VA OF VMI
Ombri Rivers Nansemond River VA SS VMI
Kevin Buran Mills Godwin VA RHP Maryland
John Bladel Stone Bridge VA OF James Madison
Bradley Shaban Cosby VA MIF James Madison
Miles McQuaig Midlothian VA RHP VMI
Mike Kent West Springfield Va RHP Clemson
Daniel Wright Fort Defiance VA C Radford
Garrett Marin Colonial Forge VA MIF George Mason
Coby Cowgill VA OF VMI
Reed Gragnani Mills Godwin VA MIF Virginia
Isaac Ballou Nansemond-Suffolk VA OF Marshall
Blake Boyce First Colonial VA RHP Campbell
Robert Orlan Deep Run VA LHP North Carolina
Will Swoope Benedictine VA OF Maryland
Jake Matthews James River VA LHP Liberty
Marc Morotini Warwick VA OF Frederick CC
Joe Mantiply Tunstall VA LHP Virginia Tech
Ryan Farrar Atlee VA LHP VCU
Jacob Mayers Hanover VA 3B Richmond
Eddie Butler Greenbrier Christian Academy VA RHP Radford
quote:
Originally posted by ARMYOFONE(RET):
Hey Brad, Probably be seeing you at Wake next month for the tournament? I'm going on at least one of the days. Don't know which yet. Probably when ODU play WF. Stay in touch!

Yes, It's kind of creepy how quiet this list is. Perhaps there is some new kind of strategy being incorporated due to the rules changes? Or maybe it's due to the players needing to make sure their making the right school choice due to the transfer limitations? Probably many more will go in the late signing period.


Funny, but I have heard this from more than one of the regulars here. Even the more "PR-heavy" websites seem to be a little off this year. There are a lot of good ballplayers in the Commonwealth, to be sure. Certainly 2009 does not take a backseat to '08 or '07. My buddy ThD is wondering if maybe we are moving back to a spot where college players are going to play baseball, but with the current climate are going to be students first, so it is not as "exciting" and doesn't garner the publicity...

Opinions?
Last edited by Ole Ball Coach
I also have been hearing a lot of frustration from talented players who don't seem to be getting a lot of interest.

I am wondering if the full adjustment to the new NCAA roster limit and scholarship allocation rules took a year to fully hit home ... or maybe teams found themselves overextended after 2008, and had to cut back in the following class to meet the requirements?

Last year our one high school team had 3 November NLI signees. Another team in our district also had 3 and, out of 7 teams total, there were I think 10 in all. This year, none at our school and only 3 overall so far. I don't think that this can be explained by talent drop off. It just doesn't stand to reason that talent would vary so much year to year.
last year had a lot of talent in dominon district & the entire centeral region. They represented the area well. Look at 2007 class at James River, state champs and only 1 D1 early sign. I think what you are seeing is a shift. 11.7 is 11.7 that is the number. Look at the senior class at JR & Cosby talented but not as many as 2008, each have 1 early sign. Is it because of talent or lack of exposure or unrealistic expection. The answer is all of the above.
FYI, the guy you're counting as the JR early sign transferred to Powhatan at the start of the school year. There are at least 2 deserving seniors at JR, but so far, no luck. Hopefully they'll have strong springs and get some opportunities before the spring is done.

You are right about there only having been one 2007 NLI guy at JR, but to be honest, there were others in that class who could've been D-1's if only the coach at that time would have returned some recruiters' phone calls once in a while. The change in coaches has meant more than instilling a winning attitude in the program. When you go from having had only 1 guy in 12 years, to 1, and then 5 players getting offers, somebody is helping out.

But even with Coach Schu's help, no deals yet this year (unless you count the one that made his deal before he moved). It is puzzling.
Last edited by Midlo Dad
Here is a list off baseballclearinghouse.net. It appears to have some names we hadn't seen here before:

Matt Armstead Menchville VA OF VMI 2009
Isaac Ballou Nansemond-Suffolk VA OF Marshall 2009
John Beasley Norfollk Academy VA RHP Univ of Pennsylvania 2009
John Bladel Stone Bridge VA OF James Madison 2009
Blake Boyce First Colonial VA C Campbell 2009
Kevin Buran Mills Godwin VA RHP Maryland 2009
Ryan Burgess Steward VA OF Radford 2009
Eddie Butler Greenbrier Christian Academy VA RHP Radford 2009
Ethan Carter Menchville VA RHP South Carolina 2009
Drew Coker Steward School VA OF Old Dominion 2009
John Colella Chantilly VA RHP Holy Cross 2009
Coby Cowgill Maury VA OF VMI 2009
Brian Derner Lake Braddock VA LHP George Washington 2009
Matt Doyle Flint Hill School VA RHP Harvard 2009
Ryan Farrar Atlee VA LHP VCU 2009
John Garrett Maury VA RHP VMI 2009
Cameron Giannini Hargrave Military Academy VA RHP Liberty 2009
Brett Goodloe St. Anne's Belfield VA RHP William and Mary 2009
Reed Gragnani Mills Godwin VA MIF Virginia 2009
Michael Green Thomas Dale VA OF UNC-Charlotte 2009
Jeff Griffith Deep Run VA RHP George Washington 2009
Jarrett Hagwood Lakeland VA C Virginia Wesleyan 2009
Jeremy Hagwood Lakeland VA RHP Virginia Wesleyan 2009
Blake Hauser Manchester VA RHP VCU 2009
Kyle Haynes Mountain View VA RHP VCU 2009
Matt Henrikson Hingham VA SS Tusculum College 2009
Shane Hoggard Bethel VA 1B Norfolk State 2009
David Hughes Kempsville VA C MD-Baltimore Co. 2009
Casey Johns North Stafford VA SS Gardner-Webb 2009
Erickson Keeton Nansemond River VA RHP VMI 2009
Mike Kent West Springfield VA RHP Clemson 2009
Nick Kime Mountain View VA SS VCU 2009
Patrick Kuhns North Stafford VA C Wingate 2009
Brandon Kuter Robinson VA RHP George Mason 2009
Zach Leach Herndon VA C UNC-Greensboro 2009
JJ Loker Spotswood VA 3B/SS USC Aiken 2009
Kyle Long Halifax VA LHP Longwood 2009
Rob Malan Potomac Falls VA 2B VCU 2009
Joe Mantiply Tunstall VA LHP Virginia Tech 2009
Garret Marin Colonial Forge VA RHP/SS George Mason 2009
Cameron Martin Carlisle School VA C Davis & Elkins 2009
Jake Matthews James River VA LHP Liberty 2009
Bradley Mattox William Byrd VA INF Tusculum College 2009
Whitley Mayberry St. Stephens/St. Agnes School VA RHP Virginia 2009
Jacob Mayers Hanover VA 3B Richmond 2009
Jack McLindon Langley VA MIF Davidson 2009
Miles McQuaig Midlothian VA RHP VMI 2009
Ryan Montgomery Prince George VA C Norfolk State 2009
Chad Morgan Paul VI Catholic VA C Virginia Tech 2009
Ryan Moriarty Potomac VA RHP Mount St. Mary's 2009
Marc Morotini Warwick VA OF Frederick CC 2009
Mike Olivo Greenbrier Christian VA 1B VMI 2009
RC Orlan Deep Run VA LHP North Carolina 2009
Seth Potter harrisonburg VA MIF Delaware Tech 2009
Cody Reeves Paul VI Catholic VA OF Towson 2009
Eric Renagar Patrick County VA INF Brevard 2009
Bryn Renner West Springfield VA North Carolina (FB) 2009
Joshua Richardson Greenbrier Christian VA RHP/IF Liberty 2009
Ombri Rivers Nansemond River VA SS VMI 2009
Taylor Sandefur Atlee VA RHP Western Carolina 2009
Patrick Scoggin Douglas S Freeman VA RHP Virginia Tech 2009
Sammy Serafine Greenbrier Christian Academy VA MIF Norfolk State 2009
Bradley Shaban Cosby VA RHP James Madison 2009
Jackson Shaver Jamestown VA SS/2B William and Mary 2009
Will Swoope Benedictine VA OF Maryland 2009
Chris Taylor Cox VA SS Virginia 2009
Chris Taylor Dominion VA RHP/IF Rider 2009
Zach Tessier Bishop O'Connel VA C High Point 2009
Travis Thomas Riverbend VA RHP VMI 2009
Eric Tucker Prince George VA OF Patrick Henry CC 2009
Cory Turner Osbourn VA SS Radford 2009
William Ward Warwick VA OF Chowan University 2009
JT Wauford Steward School VA RHP Clemson 2009
Tyler Webb Northampton VA LHP South Carolina 2009
Austin White Mountain View VA C Hampden Sydney 2009
Ryan Williams Westfield VA OF/3B William and Mary 2009
Brock Wilson Liberty Christian VA RHP/1B Gardner-Webb 2009
Daniel Wright Fort Defiance HS VA MIF Radford 2009

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×