Central Region Thoughts

MidloDad,

Tough to argue with Cosby as a top pick for the Central region.  Lots of depth all around and Lowery gets the most out of his players every year.  They have a lot of really good players at every position, and one in particular I'm picking to have a break out junior year.  I've been watching Ryan Hall since he was 8.  This is a smart kid that can really hit a baseball for power and average.  Great hands.  He was kind of been in the background at Cosby last year.  Watch out.  He's due to have a big year.  JMO.

Cosby is so loaded that younger, talented guys often have to wait their turns.  At other schools, they might have started as freshmen or sophomores.  Take a guy like Tyler Fitzgerald, who started 2012 as a sophomore on JV, but ended the year batting leadoff and then quickly earned a commitment from Va. Tech on the summer circuit.  When you have an ACC caliber kid who isn't a shoo-in for a varsity roster spot when the season starts, you know you have some depth on that roster.

Keep an eye on LC Bird.  With Bryce Harman, Austin Gammon, Adam Bondurant, Darius Gillis just to name a few.  They are going to sneak up on more than a few teams and I have them as my dark horse to finish an impressive 2nd to Cosby this year.  Harmon will give Williams a run for the POY and both will be fun to watch this spring - two LHP who also hit for serious power.  Don't forget Jack Roberts in that mix too.

Manchester is loaded with talent this spring as well and I see them working their way back to the top of the pack to contend if Bird is to slip.  The Lancers have tremendous depth on the mound with Mauricio, Lane, Powell, Butts - they will be formidable and the investment they made over the last couple seasons to play underclassmen should pay off this year.  I see this season being the one where James River has to really fight to keep their place in the top 3.  they certainly have the swagger - but they might lack the pitching depth and any hiccup at the top of the rotation could be hard to overcome.  The addition of the White kid who relocated over from the Steward School helps - but it will come down to him and Roberts staying healthy and the emergence of a 3rd and 4th arm to log quality innings.  Midlothian will be respectable and have enough talent to compete with anyone but probably no better than the middle of the pack.  Clover Hill should improve with the addition of Brett Mooney to the coaching staff and the return of Keith Roberts, Chris King and Brett Jones but it still is a serious uphill climb for the Cavs.  Same story for Monacan with the return of all-district player Jordan Staib.  Minimal depth for them as well.

My Dominion District regular season predictions when the dust settles:

Cosby, Manchester, LC Bird, James River, Midlothian, Monacan, Clover Hill

POY: Bryce Harman

COY: Tim Lowery

out for 6 weeks is the latest news.  Monacan will also be without Corey Ambers for some time so the lack of depth is going to be highlighted right out of the gate.

Clover Hill will likely climb out of the cellar now.

Midlo,

As a Hanover guy, I agree with your assessment of their team and talent but I would add Luke Bolka at Atlee as another dominating pitcher in the central region.

Thanks for the reminder.  I was thinking he had graduated last year!

I also have to agree that Bryce Harman might be prepped to put up some other worldly numbers this year.  Saw him the other day, and he is an MLB-sized guy at this point.  His pop-ups will go for HR's.  But in all honesty, I did not include him among those I figure to vye for regional POY because I don't really see LCB reaching the top of the standings.  If they do put it together, though, Harman will be a big reason why.

@keewart - I can't confirm (I'm not a Dr) but I heard the same thing about Staib being out.  That is a shame, and certainly affects their position depth.

@R.Graham - you've chosen your dark horse wisely.  Bird has a new coaching staff (yes, again), and a lot of seniors and some depth in key positions.  They don't have Cosby depth but they'll be in the hunt.