Patriot District

LB and SC will battle it out for the top seed with Woodson, West Springfield, West Potomac and TC to follow. Not to familiar with Annandale and Lee.

You are right about LB. It will all depend on how the younger boys step up around Towns and Weidinger (catcher). SC is the most solid up the middle and I think will be the best hitting team in the district. Beal and Frazier will be tough to beat on any night, Perez behind the plate, solid infield with Rector roaming center field. SC will score a ton of runs. I will leave it to others to let us know about West, Woodson, West Po. and TC.

quote:

Originally posted by vabaseballfan:
Its been great to have so much participation over in the National Dist thread, and I know the Patriot gets talked about a lot, but I think it would be interesting to hear from those with knowledge about the Patriot Dist as a whole. This has got to be one of the top two districts in the state this year if not the best.

Ive said before that I think WS, LB, South County, and WTW would all probably be considered preseason favorites in any of the other three NR districts, but how about some specifics?

LB has Towns, who I think is probably the best all around player in the NR as their ace, but who else with pitch? Rodgers? Their catcher is impressive as well, but I dont know much about who else they have. Count on them being one of the best hitting teams around by the end of the year though.

WS? Obviously lost Wahl and Morgan but they had solid contributions from underclassmen last year as well. Really well coached team, but Im not sure who they'll have as a true #1 pitcher. Thats just because I dont know, though. Anyone that could emerge?

WTW will be loaded with pitching, but lost a ton of hitters. Any thoughts on whether they can hit well enough to be able to beat the other three top teams on nights when they may have a pitcher on an off-night? Every game will count in this district so that will be important for them to be able to do.

South County looks to me to be loaded. Evan Beal has some of the best stuff of any pitcher in the state and when he's on he's gonna be real tough for any team to beat. Lots of solid bats in that lineup too.

Really dont know much at all about the other four teams in this district, so Id love some insight. I believe it was golfball who posted before that West Pot may be much improved this year.

Any insight would be fun to read this time of year with baseball just around the corner! Plan to get to as many top-tier Patriot games as I can this spring.

To answer you LB pitching question...Towns, Michael Church, Thomas Rodgers and Nathan Parker can all pitch it...and they can all hit...add OF Ryan Owens (Mt. St. Mary's signee) to your list of hitters to watch, to go with those you mentioned.

South County is going to be the real deal.

Don't sell WTW short...that much pitching allows for error margin, so each pitcher doesn't have to "on" every turn on the bump.

Should be a fun year to watch this district...

SC is clearly the favorite in the district with the overall talent, speed, power hitting, pitching, and catching all at exceptional levels. They have it all, and if they don't go deep into the postseason, it will be a surprise (and a MAJOR disappointment). The next three are LB, WS, and Woodson -- in any order. Woodson is overrated by some people -- they do have 4 high-level pitchers returning, but lost most of their offense, and their defense will likely be suspect again this year. LB will be younger, but returning some studs and will have good pitching. WS lost their stud pitching, but has a good nucleus of position players with strong offense and defense, so if a pitcher or two steps up, they may surprise some people.

I originally posted the above remark on another string on this website over two weeks ago, and I still stand by my prediction. Barring major injuries or other unforeseen circumstances, SC has got to be the preseason favorite to win this district, and the region, and they will be a strong contender for the state as well. LB will have plenty enough pitching and other talent to make them a legitimate contender. They will give SC a good run, but it's likely they will finish second. WS lost the single best pitcher in the state, and he will be hard to replace, but their returning players are a very talented bunch, so if one or two of their pitchers bring it up a notch, they will be a team to be reckoned with. One question...are the returners complacent after winning the States last year, or are they hungry to return? This will have more impact on their season than most other factors. Woodson -- they have some very good pitchers, but with all due respect, I think there's more of a dropoff after their #1 pitcher than most others see. And I don't see the same level of fielding and hitting from their position players as the above three teams. West Pot will be improved, and has some good senior leadership, but simply has too much competition in their district to expect them to go too far.

Definitely agree with your assessment of SC. They kind of get lost in the shuffle a bit because of how good WS and LB have been, but they've built a heck of a program in the short time since that school has been open.

Maybe this is the year it all comes together for them. They've already accomplished a great deal (winning the Patriot, going to states), but they seem to have the talent to really be special this year. Bondurant (sp?) hasnt been discussed much in this thread but he may be the best hitter in the district right up there with Towns. Im afraid I havent seen many of their other players before but I have seen Beal and he throws one of the best breaking balls Ive ever seen from a high school pitcher.

A little different opinion: South County will be good but I still think Towns is the best pitcher in the league as he has proven that he can go 7 innings...and I think they will ride him like WS rode Wahl last year. I think last year's disappointment will cause them to go all out to win this year. Nathan Parker and Michael Church will round out the pitching and their hitting will be enough to win most games. Back to South County...definitely the top hitting team, I am not convinced their pitching will hold up. Woodson does have four quality pitchers but their defense and hitting is not that impressive. WS has solid players but just not convinced they will be that great without Wahl and Morgan. West Potomac should be much improved...still a team lacking Senior contributors, but with one of the top Junior classes in the Northern Region. They might surprise. TC Williams has a few quality players but big questionmark with them is their pitching and defense.

My prediction:

1. Lake Braddock
2. South County
3. Woodson
4. West Potomac
5. West Springfield
6. TC Williams
7. Annandale
8. Lee

patriot disrict pitchers going to college (so far):

Evan Beal (SC)
Tyler Frazier (UNCG)
Tyler Wislocki (Longwood)
Joe McGillicuddy (Marshall)
John McGillicuddy (Marshall)
Bryson Hough (Bucknell)
Kenny Towns (LB)

To say Kenny Towns is the only proven pitcher in this district is crazy. This district is loaded with pitching.

The four teams from the patriot district to make regionals will all win their first game against the weak liberty district.

Bruin, couldn't agree more. Towns is a stud and if I had to put him on the mound to win a must game, it would be an easy decision. He's a gamer. But, to say he will carry LB like Wahl did West Springfield, is as you put it "crazy". Plus, remember, when Towns is pitching, you take one of the best defensive players out at SS, which will be a downside for LB.

The list of pitchers from this district is impressive and I would say at this point, it is wide open to see who steps up and is "the man".

Don't forget Murray and Trenchard ?sp? at West Po. Again, they are young, but could have breakout years.

Let's hear about some other players who might step up. And, how about some of the younger players.

Novabball and Bruin, you took the words right out of my mouth. Not only do I agree with the opinion that, although Towns is a stud and quite possibly the best all-around ball player in the district, he is definitely not the "best pitcher in the league." He is probably in the top 3 or 4. On the positive side for LB, they also have 3 other pitchers coming along that will contribute this year, but on the negative, Towns (obviously) can't pitch and play SS at the same time, so that will represent a problem for LB when they want him to pitch. Plus, their coach does not have a history of "riding" a pitcher, as Sullyfan puts it.

There are a lot of unpredictable factors that will come into play to determine the outcome of the Patriot District race (such as injuries, rainouts affecting pitching rotations, etc.), but I think it's clear to most people in the know that SC has the best chance to emerge as District Champs. You cannot find a weak spot in their lineup, pitching rotation, etc. And I should stress that I am not a SC parent or coach, so I have no rooting interest other than I'm familiar with some of the kids. I just am an interested observer.
Could LB pull off a surprise and take the crown? Quite possibly. Could WS? Less likely, but also possible. Could Woodson or West Pot? There would have to be a lot of things go their way for that to happen, in my opinion.

I did not say Towns was the only proven pitcher in the Patriot. I just said he is the top pitcher in my opinion. I know there are alot of good pitchers in this league...too many...if you are on one of the other teams.

Some great insight on here guys. One thing I would agree with Low Change on though is that at least two Patriot teams may find themselves with their hands full if they have to see Vanderplas or Sborz in the 1st round.

The list of outstanding pitchers in the Patriot is long and has been provided here quite well by Bruin and others, but those two pitchers from the Liberty could be capable of beating a top notch Patriot team with a few breaks imo. That is a long way off though and a whole lot can happen obviously. Madison is never an easy out for anybody either and would be my pick right now to be the 1 seed from the Liberty. You guys honestly think the 4 seed from the Patriot would roll over Madison? Maybe, but I think those first round games may turn out to be more competitive than many might think. Again, real long way off, though.

On another note, I think WS will be stronger than most others seem to predict in this thread. No real rhyme or reason to that thought other than Id suspect the players returning from last years' title team will look forward to stepping up to the challenge of playing without Wahl/Morgan. I wouldnt pick them to win this district but Ill be real surprised if they're not in the top 4.

vabaseballfan,
Good points on all fronts. Vanderplas and Sborz will be a challenge for any team to face. Madison will have a very good team this year and will be a tough opponent every game. And WS has some very good players returning and will be in the hunt even without the big name pitchers they have had in the past.

I want to go on record saying Vanderplas or Sborz could shut down any team in the STATE. I don't think it would be crazy to say "they might top the list of Patriot District pitchers if they were in that district.

But, as you said vabaseballfan, that's a long way off and lets enjoy the season first.

I agree with what Lowchange is saying, and disagree with Bruin. Although the Patriot District is very strong, the Liberty District is no pushover at all. With teams such as Madison and McLean, they will be very competitive in Regionals. I would look for the top two Patriot teams to do well in Regionals, but the Patriot # 3 and 4 teams will likely play against some tougher Liberty opponents, so it'll be very competitive for them.

LOL, began typing the post I just submitted, was called away from the computer for about an hour, then returned and finished the post and submitted it, and only then saw the recent posts by vabaseballfan, golfball, and novabball. Pretty much say the same thing.

Sully--I noticed you have West Po at #4. Can you tell me about why they would be that high given their recent track record? I saw them several times last year and they had some very good young players. But I had heard that several were leaving. Did that not happen?

Rhobbs, I hope Sullyfan does answer you directly, but I have a point and a question. I saw West Potomac kids several times in the Fall of 2009 (to the point where I knew names), but only once last spring. They were almost all freshmen and sophomores. My guess is that their experience would start showing up this year, although I still can't recall them having very good pitching. My question revolves around why these kids would leave the school. There was a similar post sometime last year on this about kids leaving. Where would (or have)they go(ne) and why?

Those frosh and sophs for WEST POTOMAC were very good young players last year. If they all return (and yes, I have heard the same rumors), they should be much improved. Is Jimmie Sullivan still coaching them? They had a superb frosh pitcher--a big lefty whose mom and dad, I was told, were both tall and strong people, boding well for his continued physical development. Cannot recall his name, but his potential to be a great high school pitcher is enormous. Could also hit the ball. I don't know if any of the rumors about players leaving for private schools was true. I was told several were interested in BI. Have no idea. Maybe they know Coach Gallagher from summer ball?

Isaac,
Jayme Murray is the West Po soph LHP you're thinking of. He's still there.

Swampboy--I have seen Murray play over the years--with the right coaching touch, he should be a major Div I pitcher. There is no reason why, if he stays healthy, gets good coaching, and works his tail off, he would not be a MLB pitcher. He has the size, strength, athleticism. . . now it boils down to the intangibles. He should be throwing low 90s by this summer. Control, speed changes, movement will all come along.

quote:

Originally posted by rhobbs:
Sully--I noticed you have West Po at #4. Can you tell me about why they would be that high given their recent track record? I saw them several times last year and they had some very good young players. But I had heard that several were leaving. Did that not happen?

No players left West Po, nor should they. Mostly Juniors and a couple Sophs. but 8 out of 9 starters returning from a team that started to be very competitive toward the end of last year. Top players should be Sean Trenchard and Jayme Murray, but they have plenty of other good players as well. This could be a very surprising team this year.

I look for West Potomac to get off to a good start, because 5 of their first 6 games are scheduled against relatively weak opponents. Reality will hit, however, from April 4 through April 12, when 3 out of their 4 games will be against quality opponents. If they come through this period unscathed, they should have a good season. However, personally I believe they will struggle against the better Patriot District opponents. If they can steal a win or two against SC, LB, or WS, and those three teams each knock each other off, West Po may sneak in there.

quote:

Originally posted by sullyfan:

quote:

Originally posted by rhobbs:
Sully--I noticed you have West Po at #4. Can you tell me about why they would be that high given their recent track record? I saw them several times last year and they had some very good young players. But I had heard that several were leaving. Did that not happen?

No players left West Po, nor should they. Mostly Juniors and a couple Sophs. but 8 out of 9 starters returning from a team that started to be very competitive toward the end of last year. Top players should be Sean Trenchard and Jayme Murray, but they have plenty of other good players as well. This could be a very surprising team this year.

Look for Jack King as well. Made the Stars top team I heard and he has been working out hard...seeing that for myself.

Five more days and they strap on the cleats!

Yeah baby! CanNOT wait!!

Need help with the Patriot District preseason All-District team! Looking for nominees in the outfield and the corner infield spots, the rest of the team is pretty well set.

Who do you think deserves mention?