Class of 2015 standouts!

Freshmen, really?

How about we discuss freshmen AFTER the season is over. Dominion district is a tough place for a freshmen to have an impact on varsity especially this year. JMO.

Agreed. Wholeheartedly.
I can see the next breathless post here: "Tball/coach pitch batting champ to commits to HomeTown Tech University!!!"

Now the player mentioned may indeed be a fine player & member of the community - but he's 13 or 14, and will have to compete against 17 & 18 year olds.

Let's check back in a year or so, ok?

quote:

Originally posted by Jess1:
- but he's 13 or 14, and will have to compete against 17 & 18 year olds.

If he is 13 in the spring of his freshman year, he must be excellent in the classroom also. Not many students graduate at age 16, though a few do. More likely an individual in the spring of his freshman year will be closer to age 15 than 13 or 14.

Is he then 15? 16?

Nicholas is a 14U age group player. So he is either 14, or may have just turned 15.

I agree with the sentiment about not discussing freshman. However, the best freshman in Richmond is Reid Leonard at Benedictine. Not sure how much he will play for varsity this year, since they have a VMI committ at SS.

VP, good topic. Don't listen to the old farts here.

This is 'high school' baseball web after all... not just varsity baseball.

This is a good way to have the new freshman parents enjoy some discussion here on this website.

And as soon as the young man plays a HS game...

FWIW, it is the "HS baseball web" - but seems to have turned into a mix of "promote our listing service" and "VA college web." Perhaps that's all that's out there, though...

I agree that VP is just doing their job. Makes for a good discussion, anyway.

I don't know Nick Butts or family, but I did get the chance to see him play once in the fall. Looks like he can hang with the big boys pretty well. Hard to believe he is just a freshman and pretty certain he is 15-ish, like most freshmen.

When I first saw this post, I thought it was a joke -- someone poking a little fun an the similar thread a few days ago that was talking about 2014 commits.

Sadly, I was mistaken. I agree with the majority of posters in this thread. This kid may very well be the next Big Thing, but let's allow him to play at least a few Varsity games before he's labelled a "Top Prospect."

Va Prep can expect lots of PMs from "Showcase" recruiters on this site. Hahahaa

Guys, So I'm guessing I should hold off on me posting a forum of my 2021 upcoming class??? HAHAHAH. Couldn't resist.

Class of 2021 (8u) double play video (he is the shorter one of the two!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWOuNcCsmls

Hey it's never too early to start this stuff. It is possible to have a committment to a D1 school without ever playing a varsity ballgame. I would tell anyone that has a kid good enough to start on their schools varsity as a Freshman or Sophmore at a competitive school that they need to really dig into the recruiting. Not sure how much posting on this site helps but putting yourself out there definately can.

Any time you have a freshman who is looking to start at a key position for a respectable or better program in a tough district, it's worth at least keeping an eye on him.

Butts is going to do just fine, BTW, and this won't be the last time his name gets posted here.

As for the 8u kid on YouTube -- Chris, is it too late to call dibs? That kid has mad skills!

While not a 2015 grad, Josh Henderson, a 2012 graduate, did not play varsity ball (to my knowledge). He did play for the Canes, and is an excellent player. Signed with Liberty.

Am sure most high school coaches would have taken him in a heartbeat!

I'm not one to spread rumors but I heard that someone heard that FTB Mizuno has been flying that kid in to play on their 15u team.

Also so rumblings about some SEC & ACC programs making visits to his school during recess.

You didn't hear it from me though.

Rich
www.playinschool.com

So, you guys are going on record saying that people like PG shouldn't showcase 2015s?

Nick butts is, in fact, a 14u eligible player. He doesnt turn 15 until late spring or early summer (i believe july but i might be a couple weeks off). He can absolutely hang with the 18u crowd and will very likely contribute immediately as a freshman. He hung just fine playing up on our 16u team last fall (at RBA South) and will be competing with our 17u team this summer and then joining the virginia cardinals in the fall of 2012 (he played for the cardinals at uva in september of 2011 and performed well)

The dominion district is certainly a competitive proving ground for a freshman but i am more than confident that he will do just fine. When considering recent freshman impact players (luke lowery, bryce harman, mac caples , augie ayers) who i knew quite well going into their first high school spring - nicholas is definitely in that class.

This kid can play. The general aversion to pointing out freshman this early is understandable but there are a handful of players in the start each year who warrant the early recognition. Kyle macphearson this past year, or tyler allen and luck scherzer the year before come to mind. We need to leave room for appreciating and discussing the truly exceptional player from time to time.

Berry

Some of the debates were about young ball players making college commitments. This thread is simply talking about youngsters that are really good. Much different.

I don't know the Butts kid, but I have to agree with Warrior on Reid Leonard. He is very polished. Plays the game very well. Hangs with kids much older then him. If I had to bet, I'd say he will be in the starting lineup (possibly at short) for BHS to start the season.

You may remember DSF had a freshman at short last year. Gerstimeyer (sp). And in the outfield too, Farkas.

If I'm coaching and have a freshman that can hit, he's in the lineup!

Rich
www.playinschool.com

quote:

Originally posted by El gato:
While not a 2015 grad, Josh Henderson, a 2012 graduate, did not play varsity ball (to my knowledge). He did play for the Canes, and is an excellent player. Signed with Liberty.

Am sure most high school coaches would have taken him in a heartbeat!

Josh has played for First Baptist in Suffolk the last couple of years.