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Burton's Scout Blog: 4/29/24

April 29, 2024
Jason Burton
Scouting Director Prep Baseball Virginia/DC

 

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Stone Bridge

Matthew Belger RHP / Stone bridge, VA / 2026

Second time seeing the young and thin 6-foot, 160-pound right hander. Strike thrower with the aptitude to spin at a high level. The breaking ball is not an elite pitch, but it is an average to above average breaking ball that he can throw for strikes whenever he wants. 70% strikes and of those strikes, about 60+% of them were breaking balls. Belger started and finished hitters with breaking balls and effectively mixed some upper 70's fastballs that got up to 80-81 at times. Obviously, throwing that many breaking balls and sporadically mixing fastballs, the fastball will play up in terms of velo. Ten strikeouts in his complete game shutout and only allowed two hits. 

 

 

Calin Burns RHP / SS / STONE BRIDGE HIGH, VA / 2025

 

 

Jack Clarke SS / 2B / Stone Bridge, VA / 2025

 

 

Nicholas Rock SS / OF / Stone Bridge, VA / 2026

Thin and narrow 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame. Hit tool bat that has a really solid feel to hit. Willing and able to use the whole field and simply takes what is given. Average to slightly above average runner that will really enhance his profile if he can continue to show some added footspeed. His in game run is a little more instinctive and plays a touch quicker than the watch would suggest at times. Level path, length in the zone, and stays in his approach. Just get the feeling when he comes to the plate he is going to find the barrel, no matter who he is facing.

 

 

Briar Woods

Maxwell Henry 3B / C / Briar Woods, VA / 2026

 

 

Max Lawson SS / Briar Woods , VA / 2025

Lean and athletic 6-foot, 160-pound frame. Has some twich in his actions. Above average hands, added arm strength, and has some flow to how he plays at short. At the plate it is a slightly uphill path, pull side tendency, and tends to produce a little more top spin to pull. I think the swing path has a chance to play, but would like to see a little more engaged approach to stay on the ball and use the middle and backside. There is definitely a little extra juice in the swing for what the frame may suggest and that comes from some of that twitch, lean strength, and above average hand speed at the plate. 

 

 

Gage Strucko SS / RHP / Briar Woods, VA / 2025

Has added some lean strength to the 6-foot-1, 179-pound proportional frame. Had some really good BP that translated into his game at bats. Progressed through his swing and worked both sides of the field with some backspin and doubles power with occasionally a bit more. Just thought he showed a some solid feel for the barrel and some added offense to his profile. Impact has picked up and still offers some positionaly versatility, as well as two-way potential. 

 

 

Liberty Christian

Joshua Hall, Jr. 3B / 2B / Liberty Christian Academy , VA / 2025

Hall's 6-foot, 170-pound frame has started to fill out some. Lwft handed hitting infielder that puts together some quality at bats. Level path to contact, stays inside at contact, and more hit tool type of bat. Worked the middle and backside on Friday night and has some doubles power to the backside gap. First year starter that put together some quality at bats versus some higher level arms. 

 

 

Landon Owen RHP / 3B / Liberty Christian Academy, VA / 2024

Owen is a competitor. Has been a huge piece of the LCA staff for two years, with this year serving as more of a staff ace. Different look, attacks hitters, and throws multiple pitches for strikes. Low-mid 80's arm (81-84 T85 on Friday night) that plays a little quicker with some of the deception and the arm slot that he throws from. The slider is the out pitch and plays really well off of the fastball. Came in for short relief to close this rivalry game out. 

 

 

Bryce Torres SS / Liberty Christian Academy, VA / 2026

Lean and athletic frame. Torres has been a little dinged up and has not been in the offensive lineup, but has been playing shortstop. Limited action at shortstop, but showed really well in pregame. Quick and clean exchange, hands work, feet work, and showed some arm strength. Left handed hitter, athletic, good physical makeup, and chance to stay in the middle. Will be one to follow, especially when he is fully healthy and back at the plate.

 

 

Ayden Walker OF / LHP / Liberty Christian Academy, VA / 2025

 

 

Braden Weaver OF / Liberty Christian, VA / 2024

 

 

Amherst

Jayden Davis OF / RHP / Amherst County, VA / 2026

Athleticism and proportional strength for the 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame. Right handed hitter with some raw power to the pull side. Slight uphill path and showed his bat speed and strength on Friday night. Wider base, simple pick up and replace, and delivers a short quick hand load. Jumped a fastball in his first at bat for a triple off the left field fence and then later singled on a breaking ball. Davis worked the sixth inning on the mound. While command/control has some room to grow, the arm strength and stuff have a chance. While the velo varied a touch, the fastball was 86-88 T89 earlier in the inning and then he backed it down a touch, working more 84-86 deeper into the inning. The breaking ball is a legitimate out pitch with swing and miss traits. Mid-upper 70's curveball with well above average spin (2700-2900 RPM) and hard depth. Davis got ahead in some counts and worked quickly to two strike counts, but had an issue finishing counts. Definitely a 2026 to follow. 

 

Dalton Wentz SS / RHP / Amherst County, VA / 2024

South Carolina commit. 2-4 on the night at the plate with a single and double. One AB from the right side and then the other three from the left. Naturally, the swing shows best from the left side, which makes sense because the vast majority of his in game at bats come from the left side. Wentz is a true switch hitter with slight uphill path from the left side and length out front. Heavy barrel from the left side has carry to both gaps. As much of an impact as he makes at the plate, his impact on the mound on Friday night was huge. Worked five innings and struck out eleven, giving up two unearned runs. Wentz held 90-92 throughout, while getting up to 93 a few times in the first inning. The South Carolina commit showed two breaking balls, a curveball and slider, with feel for both. The curveball was more 73-76 mph with a get over feel and the slider could be used early and late at 76-79 T80. The slider was the most "next level ready" offering and he got plenty of swings and misses with the slider. He battled through his final inning of work, but his maturity and experience allowed him to minimize and make some big pitches in big situations.