From VHSL 6A: Madison and Chantilly are returning most if not all of their impact players from last year, so I expect they'll be playing in early June.
VHSL 5A: Stone Bridge again looks very strong.
Private: From my distance, STAB and PVI have a good number of D1 commits.
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STAB has a lot of question marks, most importantly who will they have behind the plate. They also lost Tanner Morris in a transfer to Miller which is a big loss. Bishop O'Connell and Paul VI should be very good in D1
wahoo24 posted:...They also lost Tanner Morris in a transfer to Miller which is a big loss...
My son's HS team will see Miller at Lake Point in a PG Tournament on March 18th and 19th. Along with Episcopal (Bellaire, TX), Hardin Valley Academy (Knoxville, TN), and Murfreesboro Central Magnet (Murfreesboro, TN).
In 6A, I think Battlefield could do some real damage, especially if they get hot at the right time. Tyler Solomon and Jake Agnos could lead them to the regional title. Remember it took Madison 9 innings last year to knock off battlefield in the region semi's
I'm assuming that the 4A favorite is Hanover.
joemktg posted:I'm assuming that the 4A favorite is Hanover.
Millbrook has to be considered a contender as well in 4A.
As far as I can tell, the Tidewater area doesn't have a program with multiple D1s (meaning several) on a single roster, as there have been in recent years.
In 6A, Western Branch will be solid, like clockwork, but younger, and will have to find themselves offensively. Grassfield will boast the top 1-2 pitching combo in the state (I assume), but again, are not "loaded" offensively. Granby should be very solid, but not a club that I would view as a state title contender. Cox, is in a similar boat, but with better arms, from what I've seen.
In 5A, there has been some chatter about Menchville being really good coming out of the Peninsula. On the Southside, I think one has to like Hickory and Nansemond River. Hickory looks to be very strong at the top of their batting order, with questions marks coming at the back end. Their pitching seems to be very solid, but the defense may be a questionmark. At Nansemond River, they will be able to throw it, with two D1 arms, and then some. They will be very good defensively. Eight seniors committed to play in college, to along with a handful of talented underclassmen...NR would seem to be the most well rounded, top to bottom. Time will tell as to whether or not the bats will produce what is needed to go deep into the playoffs.
In 4A, Great Bridge should be a solid contender, but are not as strong as they've been in recent years. They will not stack up with a Millbrook or Hanover.
My personal opinion...Hanover may be the best team in Virginia, regardless of classification. Disclaimer: I have not seen every team in Virginia. I have seen them. They're flat out loaded.
Hanover has the ingredients for a solid season. Senior heavy. 4 of the seniors have been contributing since they were freshmen and part of 2 state championships. The team should have one of if not the best pitching staffs in the state. The team will be tough to beat and is anchored by six D1 signees.
Hanover may have had the best team in VA over the past 3 years across any classification, private or public.
Hanover did and does not have the best team over the past 3 years across any classification. Did you win the 2015 4A State Championship....No...Jefferson Forrest beat you clowns, then they got whipped by Glen Allen 9-3. Please talk facts!
Billy Buckstone posted:Hanover did and does not have the best team over the past 3 years across any classification. Did you win the 2015 4A State Championship....No...Jefferson Forrest beat you clowns, then they got whipped by Glen Allen 9-3. Please talk facts!
I believe it was only an opinion, he's got nothing to do with the Hanover program.
Billy Buckstone posted:Hanover did and does not have the best team over the past 3 years across any classification. Did you win the 2015 4A State Championship....No...Jefferson Forrest beat you clowns, then they got whipped by Glen Allen 9-3. Please talk facts!
Billy....the gentleman simply stated his opinion. He has no skin in the game when it comes to Hanover. His son - who is perhaps the best player in the state - plays for a different program not even in proximity to Hanover. He's been around and has seen a lot of good baseball played. He has a right to his opinion - just as you do. Calling a team of kids - who are doing good by playing baseball - "clowns" is an entirely different subject.
Billy Buckstone posted:Hanover did and does not have the best team over the past 3 years across any classification. Did you win the 2015 4A State Championship....No...Jefferson Forrest beat you clowns, then they got whipped by Glen Allen 9-3. Please talk facts!
Billy, stating the results of one game, while conveniently omitting what was accomplished during the totality of the other 1100 days, might be the most ridiculous position I have ever seen someone take. Over the past 3 years, that program has sent countless kids to play in college, been nationally ranked over multiple seasons, and has won 2 of 3 State Championships.
Vandy didn't win last years NCAA World Series...what a bunch of sorry clowns.
Maxpreps just came out with their preseason top 100:
Oakton checks in at #94
Stone Bridge is in at #87
Liberty Christian Academy is at #26
James Madison rounds it out at #18
Full rankings can be seen here: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/_...aseball-rankings.htm
This is what I responded to ("Hanover may have had the best team in VA over the past 3 years across any classification, private or public"). There is NO WAY that you can justify this "across any classification, private or public" that is foolishness. You take my word "clowns" any way you want!
Also, yes... VANDY looked like a bunch of clowns in those awful uniforms!
Tone it down dude. It's nothing to get so angry about
He said "may have had"...that doesn't mean they DID have.
Reading comprehension is a wonderful thing...you should try it.
Billy Buckstone posted:This is what I responded to ("Hanover may have had the best team in VA over the past 3 years across any classification, private or public"). There is NO WAY that you can justify this "across any classification, private or public" that is foolishness. You take my word "clowns" any way you want!
Also, yes... VANDY looked like a bunch of clowns in those awful uniforms!
Actually, they won the AAA title, which was the largest classification at the time. Then turned around and won the initial 4A title. So, by definition they actually did, in fact, win state titles across classifications.
Just sayin...
To take this argument a different way, I think a case could be made for LCA as well. They have had a heck of a run the last couple of years.
JMU_2016 posted:Maxpreps just came out with their preseason top 100:
Oakton checks in at #94
Stone Bridge is in at #87
Liberty Christian Academy is at #26
James Madison rounds it out at #18
Maxpreps puts a theoretical stake in the ground, then the season's results start to correct the list. Can't figure out how they come up with this list.
MIA: Chantilly, Hanover.
Agree with Wahoo24: Zack Hess is primed to be dominate this year (great kid), and LCA should do well. I missed them in my OP.
Goheels: I expect Garrett to be dominate as well on the bump (another great kid), but tell us more as to Grassfield's offensive woes.
I have to think that Zack, Garrett, Jared DiCesare (Chantilly) and Jake Agnos (Battlefield) will be the 2016s battling for POY honors. Lord knows they work their tails off, as do many players in the Commonwealth.
Joe,
My comments regarding Grassfield are not to suggest that they won't be able to hit. More to say that they don't have that impact bat, or an entire lineup that one has to concern themselves with. In the context of "state contender", being able to run Stallings and Perdue out there twice a week would certainly argue for a playoff run...if they can score runs. They also have a couple more arms that are solid as well. They will be a good team.
Regarding Maxpreps, from what I have observed over the last several years, they tend to favor last years' Champions in the preseason. They also favor teams that have a national prospect or two.
I recall Hickory and Western Branch getting some love last year, in the preseason, after each won state titles. In addition, Hickory had Eason and Polansky(s) for "name recognition". This observation is in no way meant to diminish the accolades that those are receiving this year. All very good programs, to be sure!
joemktg posted:JMU_2016 posted:Maxpreps just came out with their preseason top 100:
Oakton checks in at #94
Stone Bridge is in at #87
Liberty Christian Academy is at #26
James Madison rounds it out at #18
Maxpreps puts a theoretical stake in the ground, then the season's results start to correct the list. Can't figure out how they come up with this list.
I can say with some degree of certainty that MAXPREPS ranks teams based on coach/team inputs. If a coach doesn't use MAXPREPS and report wins/losses, etc, then the algorithms in MAXPREPS wont rank them accordingly. Not all schools/coaches use MAXPREPS, don't know why, but they don't.
Not sure how anyone can look at the Hanover run and say they haven't been on the short list of best around VA for the last 3-4 seasons. They have been great.
Grassfield for whatever reason has never been a place that has deep lineups. They have had consistently good to very good pitching but have never really been more than 4 deep in quality hitters. It has kept them from moving past WB, GB and Hickory over the last 5/6 seasons. There have been times their pitching was actually the best in the SED in my opinion but their lineup was no better than 5th or 6th behind - WB, GB, NR, IR and Hickory.
I do not think SED has the strength at the top end that has been there the last 8-10 years. There will be solid seasons from most but I think come the playoffs they will not get as deep as they have been getting.
Anyone who takes a shot at Hanover for any reason might want to check themselves. As has been noted - they won the AAA States and then backed that up with a dominant run to a 4A state title the following year. the fact that Glen Allen (the NEXT 4A state champ) had their number in 2015 certainly doesn't relegate the Hawks to anything close to a "clown" status....
I have seen quite a few programs over the decades and Hanover is one of the few that perpetually rolls out teams that perform at the highest level. The staff there is unparalleled in their commitment to development. Unparalleled.
Your shot across their bow is uncalled for and, frankly, ignorant.
Hanover will reload again this year and be there in June contending for another title. As is typically the case - the difference between the final 8 and the eventual title winner - is hops and breaks and calls.
But rest assured - Hanover will be prepared. As will Cosby (as always) and Great Bridge and Grassfield and Powhatan. As will Benedictine and Collegiate and (this year) Midlothian. There are a number of great programs in the state and this will be another great year of performances.
Maybe it should be remembered that this is High School baseball and tossing around pejoratives is ill-advised and unnecessary.
I'm going to guess the word pejoratives is going to sail right over that dude's head.
luv baseball posted:Not sure how anyone can look at the Hanover run and say they haven't been on the short list of best around VA for the last 3-4 seasons. They have been great.
Grassfield for whatever reason has never been a place that has deep lineups. They have had consistently good to very good pitching but have never really been more than 4 deep in quality hitters. It has kept them from moving past WB, GB and Hickory over the last 5/6 seasons. There have been times their pitching was actually the best in the SED in my opinion but their lineup was no better than 5th or 6th behind - WB, GB, NR, IR and Hickory.
I do not think SED has the strength at the top end that has been there the last 8-10 years. There will be solid seasons from most but I think come the playoffs they will not get as deep as they have been getting.
It's good to be back to talking high school baseball with you fine folks again. As always, never short on the drama straight out the gate! 
Being an SED resident and baseball enthusiast, I too can confidently state that the region will be lacking depth as opposed to most recent years. Pitching seems to be strong for most schools but the big bats aren't as plentiful. Hickory has a big bat in Polansky, he's a monster. Grass field has two stud arms but never has shown the ability to score/defend well enough to climb over the hill. Can they this year? I don't know.
Hanover is an easy call as a team you expect to be involved at the end. Anything can happen once you get to single-elimination, but I have to believe their W-L record will be terrific come June.
I'm not as familiar with other teams this year as maybe in years past. From what I do know, I don't really see anyone else who stands out as being armed for bear. Colonial Heights had an eye popping year in 2015, but I fear they may waste a guy who may be the state's top pitcher due to their having graduated most of last year's lineup and thereby losing all their gloves. Cosby doesn't have the known talent we've gotten spoiled into expecting there year after year, but the track record there teaches that they will be among the last few teams standing when June rolls around. Benedictine should have a strong run in the private school league. Beyond that, predicting winners is a crap shoot this time around. I'll reserve judgment until I've gotten to see some teams in action this spring.
Millbrook in 4A should be a favorite. Not saying they will win it all, etc. Heck, I don't even know the line-up. What I do know is that they have 4 D1 arms. Coastal, Navy, Pitt (Amos will not pitch at Pitt but could pitch elsewhere D1 if he chose to) and a junior LHP who transferred in whom I am hearing from good sources may be as good/better than any of them. They have the younger Hartigan (CF, I think) brother as well who is also Coastal bound. Lots to work with there.
Midlo Dad posted:Hanover is an easy call as a team you expect to be involved at the end. Anything can happen once you get to single-elimination, but I have to believe their W-L record will be terrific come June.
I'm not as familiar with other teams this year as maybe in years past. From what I do know, I don't really see anyone else who stands out as being armed for bear. Colonial Heights had an eye popping year in 2015, but I fear they may waste a guy who may be the state's top pitcher due to their having graduated most of last year's lineup and thereby losing all their gloves. Cosby doesn't have the known talent we've gotten spoiled into expecting there year after year, but the track record there teaches that they will be among the last few teams standing when June rolls around. Benedictine should have a strong run in the private school league. Beyond that, predicting winners is a crap shoot this time around. I'll reserve judgment until I've gotten to see some teams in action this spring.
MIDLO....who's the big arm at Colonial Heights?
BaseballDad757 posted:MIDLO....who's the big arm at Colonial Heights?
Noah.
joemktg posted:BaseballDad757 posted:MIDLO....who's the big arm at Colonial Heights?
Noah.
Ah. Yes. Forgot he went there.
Hard to forget the 6'7", pinpoint control, 90-93 mph guy with two killer breaking pitches!
I'm surprised he's not on the PG all mid-Atlantic team.
PBR has him listed in the top 5 for Va.
PBR favors those that have gone to PBR camps/functions. Let's be honest. Noah is a beast and should be ranked very high, but PBR has players listed in spots that make no sense. Their most recent column on players to watch for draft....is ridiculous to say the least. Talented players yes, but draftable? Some I would strongly disagree with. And some of their rankings are clearly uneducated guesses. PBR camp players ranked higher than players that are NO DOUBT better.
But we all have opinions.
Grassfield has a top tier bat but people haven't heard of him...yet. He transferred in last summer and plays for me. The kid can rake and run. If their lineup goes as I think, he will be the table setter.
Besides, with Stallings and Perdue, how many runs do you need? The HC has a reputation of small ball so 1-2 runs per game could be enough.
Concur. If their pitching does what we all know they are capable of, they are a front runner. I know the player you speak of, and he is going to shine. Grassfield has just historically slipped when it came to crunch time.
I for one think this year will be different. And it pains me since I'm a supporter of a big rival.
BaseballDad757 posted:PBR favors those that have gone to PBR camps/functions. Let's be honest. Noah is a beast and should be ranked very high, but PBR has players listed in spots that make no sense. Their most recent column on players to watch for draft....is ridiculous to say the least. Talented players yes, but draftable? Some I would strongly disagree with. And some of their rankings are clearly uneducated guesses. PBR camp players ranked higher than players that are NO DOUBT better.
But we all have opinions.
1) Son has never been to any PBR camp/function, and he's ranked fairly high.
2) The top 4-5 players on that list are receiving many, many home visits from MLB clubs. One such player has received home visits from 27 out of 30 clubs.
3) Noah should have a higher PG ranking.
4) I'm fairly certain Noah is completely committed to UVA.
Your son is one of the best players in the country so they would be crazy not to rank him highly. I don't disagree they understand talent, just saying some are ranked much higher than they should be. Not all.
Yes, he's committed to UVA.
joemktg1) Son has never been to any PBR camp/function, and he's ranked fairly high.
Ditto for my son. And, he is not one of the best players in the country. 
Still, there are a few up there who have me scratching my head...and I do know they have been to a PBR event or two.
