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The spring update is arguably the most important and most in depth update of the year. Our staff has taken in more than 240 games this season and during the course of that time, we have gathered evaluations, provided updated scout blogs, updated pitching velos, discussed players on High & Tight, and spent hundreds of hours observing and scouting thousands of players in the state of Virginia & DC. With all of that time put in, we also do a complete overhaul of the entire database of profiles within each class. With the 2027 class our staff has combed and crosschecked more than 1300 profiles in the state to try and be as thorough as possible. The full schedule for the week is as follows: Rankings Risers, New Faces, Top 50, Overall Class Update, and Case for #1. 

Today we dive into a group of New Faces from the VA/DC Class of 2027. This is a group of players that enter the rankings in this update due to some of the in game impact that they have had over the course of the season. Take a look at video and notes on a small group of players that will make their way into the rankings this week.

Alexander Crowl RHP / 3B / Franklin County High, VA / 2027 Crowl has been one of the big bats out west this spring. He has been an impact bat for Franklin County as well as being a contributor on the mound. He’s physical at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds, and he has impacted the baseball and been a run producer in the middle of the order. He looks to lift the baseball and use his strength to the pull side. On the mound, he has had some strong outings, contributing to some big wins. It is bat over arm due to the physicality that he brings offensively, but he can also provide some help on the mound as well.

Chase Dinning RHP / 2B / Herndon High, VA / 2027 Dinning has been a quality arm in the Herndon pitching rotation this spring. He has played different roles as a starter and as a reliever and has had success. It isn’t an overpowering fastball. He works in the low eighties and has been up to 85. The separator is the two different breaking balls that have a high spin profile. He has confidence in those pitches and mixes them well off of the fastball. There is room to add strength and have a possible velocity jump, but the breaking balls are the separator that gives him a chance to miss bats.

Ryan Hoburg RHP / 3B / Courtland High, VA / 2027 Hoburg has been one of the most consistent arms in the state. He works deep into games and limits hard contact. Despite not having overpowering stuff, he picks up big strikeout numbers and takes over opposing lineups. He throws with light intent and is able to move pitches in and out. There is more room to add velocity long term, but having the present ability to pitch is encouraging when that velocity improves.

Bryce Hochman C / 3B / New Kent, VA / 2027 Hochman has been a producer on a talented New Kent team and an anchor behind the plate. He shows some arm strength and quick exchanges behind the plate. It is a gap-to-gap approach with most of the impact coming from the pull side. It is an aggressive mindset and likes to attack pitches in the zone. It is a compact frame with strength present. The aggressive mindset and the ability to catch and throw are what really stand out.

Parker Kerns SS / RHP / James Wood High, VA / 2027 Kerns is a good athlete on the mound and has been a reliable arm for James Wood. He is up-tempo and works at a quick pace. The fastball works in the mid-eighties and has some late life. The slider is a quality secondary pitch in the mid-seventies that has a late, sharp break. There is a possibility for more velocity to come in the future, but the slider and fastball pair right now still is a quality combination to generate outs.

Brady Myers LHP / 1B / Madison High, VA / 2027 Myers has been a quality arm for James Madison this spring and has been successful in different roles. He has had starts and has come out of the bullpen and has thrown quality innings. There is plenty of room to fill out with the 6-foot-5, 205-pound southpaw. He works in the low eighties and can touch the mid-eighties at times. The long levers create some deception, and the ball gets on hitters quickly. To pair with the fastball is a slurvy breaking ball and a changeup. He has shown well this spring, and there is intrigue to the future with the frame.

Connor Pollock SS / Alexandria City, VA / 2027 Pollock has been an anchor for Alexandria City this spring. He has done a little bit of everything, being a producer in the heart of the order, locking down shortstop, and providing quality innings on the mound. He is a good athlete with lean strength. There is some impact in the bat that can impact the gaps, but most of the strength works to the pull side. He has athleticism and range to stick in the infield with above-average arm strength. He also runs the fastball into the mid-eighties on the mound. He is a good athlete that can impact the game on both sides and adds value.

Alejandro Sanchez C / 1B / Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School, VA / 2027 Sanchez impressed our staff multiple times this spring. He is a vocal leader behind the plate that plays with plenty of confidence. He plays with a high motor that is contagious. Offensively, he shows zone awareness with an aggressive approach. He works from gap to gap with doubles power. There is more strength to be added in the frame, but he is a competitor and a leader that can positively influence a team.

Will Smoot SS / OF / Madison High, VA / 2027 Smoot is a good athlete that can provide a spark to the lineup. He is a scrappy hitter that puts up quality at bats and looks to get on base. He is an instant threat to swipe bags when he is on. He is a compact athlete with strength and athleticism to move to different positions on the diamond. His athleticism and competitiveness give him an edge when he is on the field.

Easton VanDyke SS / RHP / MANCHESTER HIGH, VA / 2027 A strong contributor on the mound for the Lancers with the second most innings on the year. The fastball works in the mid-eighties and has some carry at the top of the zone. The slider works well off of the fastball that has quality shape with late depth. He competes in the zone and can provide quality innings. It is a lanky frame that has more room to add strength and have an increase in velocity.