Official League Website: www.valleyleaguebaseball.com
2016 Summer Collegiate Top Prospect Index
Valley Baseball League Top Prospect List (20)
For a second straight season, the Strasburg Express captured the Valley League crown with a 2-0 series sweep of the Waynesboro Generals. The two teams tied for the top record during the regular season each winning both the north and south divisions respectively. Both divisions were split fairly evenly with three .500 or better teams in each.
A pair of players were noted for their accomplishments by the league’s managers gaining accolades of player and pitcher of the year. Zach Sterry of the Generals was hailed for his power at the plate, leading the league in home runs (13) and the fourth highest average (.350). Lefthander Erne Valdes of Front Royal dominated Valley League hitters all season with a spectacular 1.04 earned run average and struck out 45 batters in 34 2/3 innings.
Year established: 1923
States represented: Virginia
No. of teams: 12
Regular season champion (best overall record): Waynesboro Generals, Strasburg Express (30-12)
Postseason champion: Strasburg Express
No. 1 prospect, 2015: Garrett Cave, rhp, Staunton, (Florida International)
First 2015 player selected, 2016 MLB draft: Shane Billings, of, Harrisonburg (Wingate/Cardinals, 13th round)
Player of the Year: Zach Sterry, 1b, Oakland University
Pitcher of the Year: Erne Valdes, lhp, St. Thomas University of Miami
BATTING LEADERS
Batting average: Nick Ward, ss, Woodstock (West Chester) (.387)
Slugging percentage: Zach Sterry, 1b, Waynesboro (Oakland University) (.734)
On-base percentage: Nick Ward, ss, Woodstock (West Chester) (.468)
Home Runs: Zach Sterry, 1b, Waynesboro (Oakland University) (13)
RBI: Zach Sterry, 1b, Waynesboro (Oakland University) (41)
Stolen bases: Jose Carrera, ss, Covington (Manhattan College) (27)
PITCHING LEADERS
Wins: Corey Childress, rhp, Harrisonburg (Troy) (6)
ERA: Erne Valdes, lhp, Front Royal, (St. Thomas University of Miami), Campbell Scholl, rhp, Waynesboro (UCF) (1.04)
Saves: Nicholas Purpera, rhp, Covington (Cumberlands) (9)
Strikeouts: Blake Whitney, rhp, Front Royal (USC Upstate) (55)
BEST TOOLS
Best athlete: Tanner Poole, of, Waynesboro (Mississippi State)
Best hitter: Zach Sterry, 1b, Waynesboro (Oakland University)
Best power: Zach Sterry, 1b, Waynesboro (Oakland University)
Best speed: Hayden Lamb, of, Strasburg (Virginia Commonwealth)
Best defender: Erick Delgado, ss, Strasburg (North Georgia)
Best velocity: Will Reed, rhp, Purcellville (Harford CC), Keegan James, rhp, Strasburg (Mississippi State)
Best breaking stuff: Erne Valdes, lhp, Front Royal, (St. Thomas University of Miami)
Best command: Erne Valdes, lhp, Front Royal, (St. Thomas University of Miami)
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Keegan James, rhp, Strasburg (Mississippi State/SO in 2017)
Undrafted out of high school, the physically impressive 6-foot-2, 225-pound James turned in a quality freshman year working in both relief and as a starter for Mississippi State in 2016. James has continued to add strength since leaving the high school ranks and worked as a starter full time this summer for the Express. He offers quality arm strength on the mound working consistently in the low-90s and getting up to 95 mph this past summer. He uses a pair of breaking balls, a softer curveball and a harder slider that works as his swing-and-miss pitch. He throws a changeup as well with some feel for the pitch and completing a quality four-pitch arsenal. He projects to add velocity on the mound and his slider offers a pair of above average pitches for him. James has work yet to do on the mound refining his command and repeating his mechanics, but he certainly has the tools necessary.
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