2016 State Draft Report: Virginia

CROP RATING
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Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

The state of Virginia didn’t produce a first-rounder last year, with the highest pick being Virginia lefthander Nathan Kirby, who went 40th overall to the Brewers. This year, the state has a chance for two first-rounders in powerful Virginia catcher Matt Thaiss and righthander Connor Jones—although Jones’ stock has slipped some of late.

Behind them, Joe Rizzo stands out as one of the better pure high school hitters in the draft class, Khalil Lee provides intrigue as a two-way player whose been up to 94 mph from the left side, and then there’s a bevy of promising high school arms from Virginia commit Noah Murdock to hard-throwing righthander Zack Hess.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Connor Jones, rhp, Virginia (National Rank: 24)
2. Matt Thaiss, c, Virginia (National Rank: 28)
3. Joe Rizzo, 3b, Oakton HS, Vienna, Va. (National Rank: 40)
4. Khalil Lee, of, Flint Hill School, Oakton, Va. (National Rank: 121)
5. Noah Murdock, rhp, Colonial Heights (Va.) HS (National Rank: 143)
6. Zack Hess, rhp, Liberty Christian Academy, Lynchburg, Va. (National Rank: 167)
7. Brenan Hanifee, rhp, Turner Ashby HS, Bridgewater, Va. (National Rank: 181)
8. Daniel Pinero, ss, Virginia (National Rank: 369)
9. Jonah McReynolds, ss, Patrick Henry (Va.) CC (National Rank: 417)
10. Garrett Stallings, rhp, Grassfield HS, Chesapeake, Va. (National Rank: 437)

 

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2016 Draft Map

11. Phil Morse, rhp, Shenandoah (Va.)
12. Saige Jenco, of, Virginia Tech
13. Jake Agnos, lhp, Battlefield High, Haymarket, Va.
14. Michael Bienlien, rhp, Great Bridge HS, Chesapeake, Va.
15. Bobby Nicholson, rhp, St. Anne’s-Belfield HS, Charlottesville, Va.
16. Cayman Richardson, ss, Hanover HS, Mechanicsville, Va.
17. Parker Bean, rhp, Liberty
18. Jackson Rivera, rhp, Prince George (Va.) HS
19. Alec Bettinger, rhp, Virginia
20. Yashuan Santiago, rhp, Patrick Henry CC (Va.)
21. Andrew Yacyk, 1b, Liberty
22. Aaron McGarity, rhp, Virginia Tech
23. Logan Farrar, of, Virginia Commonwealth
24. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1b, James River HS, Midlothian, Va.
25. Will Shepherd, 2b, Liberty
26. Rashad Stewart, 2b, Patrick Henry CC (Va.)
27. Dalton Britt, ss, Liberty

 

ADDITIONAL SCOUTING REPORTS

Saige Jenco, of, Virginia Tech – Jenco has plus speed as his carrying tool. He’s been banged up over the course of his Virginia Tech career, but the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder is a true burner who needs to refine his stolen-base technique. He fits the leadoff-hitter profile as a lefthanded hitter with speed and plate discipline (103 BB, 93 SO career). He’s got center-field range with a well below-average throwing arm.

Jake Agnos, lhp, Battlefield High, Haymarket, Va. – An undersized lefthander below 6 feet, Agnos has touched as high as 92 mph but doesn’t reach that velocity consistently, working more in the 86-88 range and pairing it with an above-average breaking ball. Committed to East Carolina, Agnos will likely get to campus.

Michael Bienlien, rhp, Great Bridge HS, Chesapeake, Va. – From the same high school as Virginia righthander Connor Jones, Bienlien also throws with above-average sink on his fastball but doesn’t quite have the velocity of Jones, working 88-90 mph and touching as high as 92. His secondary stuff needs work, but scouts like his body. Orginally committed South Carolina, he switched to North Carolina State.

Parker Bean, rhp, Liberty – Bean has an attractive prospect profile as a 6-foot-5, 250-pound righthander who works in the low 90s. But after performing for two seasons, Bean struggled this spring, walking 45 in 35 innings and going 1-1, 6.11.
Andrew Yacyk, 1b, Liberty – Yacyk has raw power, although it only translated to seven home runs this spring. Inconsistent at the plate and limited to first base, Yacyk’s draft position depends on how much teams believe in the bat.