Follow @PrepBaseballVA
Facebook + Instagram

Future Games week is here and Team Virginia is ready for their three game set. Today we preview the Future Games roster for Team Virginia/DC. Each player is listed out in alphabetical order with a short write-up about the player and what to expect. We have also detailed the full schedule for Team Virginia/DC.

Future Games Schedule

 

TEAM VIRGINIA/DC: NAMES TO KNOW

Elijah Archer OF / 1B / Dominion Sports Collective, VA / 2028 High end raw power with solid bat to ball skills and hand-eye coordination. The BP and in game power are something to see and it will be interesting to track how it plays versus some of the arms that he will face throughout the week. Corner outfield and first base are the potential defensive profiles, and he will play all three of those positions throughout the week.

Jack Arft C / 1B / Highland School, VA / 2028 XL 6-foot-1 frame, present strength, and the ball comes off the bat different. Hands are preset back and is more direct to contact with power potential long term. Will catch and play first base for Team Virginia throughout the week.

James Bacher C / RHP / Madison High, VA / 2028 Contact driven right handed hitter that will work gap to gap in approach. Square stance and simple operation that he is able to replicate consistently. Average to slightly above arm strength behind the plate. Will catch for Team Virginia.

Ryan Bahr 3B / RHP / St Paul Vi Catholic High School, VA / 2028 One of the most impactful bats through the spring and has carried his performance into the summer. Has been one of the most talked about prospects coming into Future Games week. Right/right corner infield with some arm talent on the mound as well. Different sound off of the bat and it is just a heavy barrel. Bahr will play corner infield during his positional time and throw vs Team Canada on Saturday.

Gibson Beck SS / RHP / St. Christopher's, VA / 2028 One of the best movers in this group of arms. Athletic, arm works, and has shown a solid feel for spin. Fastball velo has shown some fluctuation this spring and summer, but the slider is firm, has a feel for the zone with it, pitches, and has more room to add in his future. Beck will shut things down for the week versus Team Canada on Saturday.

Noah Brooks 3B / RHP / Nansemond Suffolk Academy, VA / 2028 Large framed 6-foot-4 corner infielder with some juice in the bat. Slightly above average arm strength across the infield, average all-around defender at third, and has the power upside to play either corner long term. Will play both third and first base this week for Team Virginia.

Antonio Burke 3B / RHP / Highland School, VA / 2028 This arm has quickly become one of the most intriguing arms in this class. Fast arm with big strength that can flash and show low 90's consistently with the potential for more in his future. Closer to throw over pitch right now, but it is a low miles arm with his best days on the mound in front of him. Has shown solid shape to the spin, but the fastball right now is the winner. Burke will throw versus Pennsylvania on Friday.

Tyler Caperton SS / RHP / PDG Academy / 2028 Athletic switch hitting middle infielder that can defend in the middle. Contact bat with more doubles power and an aggressive baserunner. It is a slightly above average run tool that plays a little quicker on the bases in game. The defensive side can have some flash at times and he can make some head turning plays. Will play middle infield and potentially some centerfield this week for Team Virginia.

Paolo Francioli C / 2B / Highland School, VA / 2028 Energy giver. Francioli is a contact bat that works gap to gap with more line drives and doubles. Versatile defender that spent most of his time at second during high school and has spent most of his time this summer behind the plate. The Highland School product will get some innings behind the plate, as well as a few potential innings in the infield.

Ryan Gaines RHP / OF / Highland School, VA / 2028 Gaines will take the mound versus Pennsylvania where he will put his upper 80's-low 90's fastball on display. Gaines is a 6-foot-5 competitor that has been up to 92 mph with the fastball and shows an upper 70's-low 80's slider that he can use early and late in counts. The low 80's changeup is the third pitch, but it is a servicebale third pitch that continues to show well as a legitimate future out pitch.

Josh Gunning 3B / RHP / PDG Academy, VA / 2028 Gunning is the current #1 player in the VA/DC Class of 2028 (and for good reason). He is a producer and he always seems to come through in the biggest spots. Feel for barrel and feel to hit, consistent defender in the middle, serviceable at all three infield spots, and competes on the mound. On the mound he usually sits in the upper 80's and can run a few into the low 90's. Pitcher > throw with above average control for a HS arm. He will play multiple infield positions while also seeing mound time versus Maryland on Thursday.

Brandon Han SS / 2B / Great Bridge High, VA / 2028 Wiry athletic frame standing 6-foot-2. Above average run tool, above average hit tool, and can defend multiple positions. Hitterish vibes at the plate that works mostly gap to gap. Certainly hit over power, but with the barrel feel, he is a guy that could develop some near average power as he matures. Han will spend most all of his time in the infield for Team Virginia this week.

Tyler Howard 2B / RHP / Spotswood High, VA / 2028 Pitcher. Howard undoubtedly has some of the best pure pitch of any arm that we have seen in quite some time. Three pitches for strikes, controls the intent and controls the zone, and still has enormous upside and projection left. The fastball should be in the upper 80's and will use one of the best changeups that you will see at this level. Continues to show a much improved breaking ball. While it is certainly the third pitch behind the FB/CH, it has closed the gap and shown an above average breaking ball. Howard will get the ball versus Team Maryland in game one on Thursday.

Hudson Large RHP / SS / Abingdon High, VA / 2028 More durable frame for the right handed arm out of southwest Virginia. Strong lower half, works in rhythm, and gets the arm up on time. Has been on a tear as of late, displaying an upper 80's fastball with an upper 70's slider. Depth and feel for the slider and shows the makings of a solid out pitch. Will also show a low 80's changeup. Large will be on the mound versus Team Canada on Saturday.

Conner Lockhart 3B / 1B / Miller School Of Albemarle, VA / 2028 If you are looking for what it is supposed to look like when you get off the bus, Lockhart is that guy. 6-foot-4, 180-pounds, long levers, average runner, and slightly above average arm strength. Corner/corner projection with a solid mix of hit and power. The lean strength and room to fill leans to more power in his future. Works mostly gap to gap at the plate and has shown the ability to turn the barrel at times. Will play corner infield and potentially some corner outfield for Team Virginia.

Braiden Miller 3B / RHP / Woodgrove High, VA / 2028 Large 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame that has really cleaned up over the last year. The athleticism continues to improve as he has trimmed up, taking his 60 from a 7.43 to a 6.88 in that same one year span. While it is still more average run in game, the improved footspeed will give him a better chance to play third long term. Will play both corner positions in the infield, as well as pitch. At the plate it is a heavy, heavy barrel. He does not have to try and chase the power, as it comes fairly natural within the swing and operation. On the mound it is pitch and compete over big stuff. Will sit upper 80's and show 3-4 pitches with feel, including a potential above average changeup long term. Miller is a 4-day follow that while he was a class of 2029 player just a few weeks ago, he is more than ready for this stage.

Colt Monticello OF / RHP / St. John's College HS, VA / 2028 Monticello had a somewhat quiet spring before turning it into a fairly impactful summer. Physical athlete that is a slightly above average runner with an aggressive approach in the box and on the bases. Power and impact > hit tool with above average future power potential. Will play all three outfield positions, with the majority of his time being spent in center and left next week for Team Virginia.

Clayton Moore RHP / OF / Greenbrier Christian Academy, VA / 2028 Moore bursted onto the scene this spring at GCA when he assumed the frontline role for the Gators. The power arm is a little throw over pitch at times, but when he is dialed in, they are tough, uncomfortable at bats for hitters. Moore has climbed into the low 90's and shows potential future above average breaking ball. The slider sits in the mid 70's and when he has a feel for it, he will go to it early and often. Moore will throw versus Maryland in game one.

Matteo Pipia SS / 3B / Gonzaga College High School, DC / 2028 6-foot-1 athlete with square shoulders and lean strength throughout. Hitterish tendencies at the plate and quality hand-eye. Short to contact and more hit oriented swing. Will work gap to gap in approach and just seems to have a knack to hit. Missed some defensive time this spring, but seems to be on the right track back and position himself as a potential left side guy. Pipia will play the left side for Team Virginia.

Jackson Stewart RHP / 3B / St Johns College High School, DC / 2028 Stewart has a chance to put a stamp on his strong spring and summer this week versus Pennsylvania. Upper 80's arm that has a clean and repeatable delivery. Stewart has shown solid shape to his mid 70's breaking ball and can use it in any count. It is not loud stuff, but it has been consistent stuff that produces in game with low miles and future > present.

Luke Torres 3B / OF / Marshall High, VA / 2028 Versatile athlete that just does a little of everything. Can play mulltiple positions in the infield, as well as multiple outfield spots. Contact bat, competes in the box, and can contribute in a variety of ways. There are no big, loud tools, but Torres is a baseball player that will help you win baseball games. Torres will be playing mostly outfield, as well as some time in the infield as well.

Ryan Waddell SS / RHP / Western Branch High, VA / 2028 Competitor. That is what you get with this right hander. Ultra focused and attacking demeanor on the mound. Works in the upper 80's and will grab some 90's from time to time. Works with intent and some above normal effort. Attacks the strike zone and can hold velo into the outing. The slider has shown more sweep and willl get some lift at times in the 74-78 mph range. Waddell will be throwing game one vs Maryland.

Bennett Winkelfoos RHP / SS / West Potomac High, VA / 2028 Thin, good mover, arm works, and plenty of projection left. Winkelfoos has flirted around in the upper 80's, while mostly working in the 85-87 range as he gets into the outing. Shows fastball/slider, with the slider sitting mid 70's with shorter shape and above average future potential. Winkelfoos is an arm that should continue to add strength and the stuff should continue to grow with the added strength and maturity. The West Po right hander will throw vs Team Canada.