Organizational Details

  • Last VBL Title: 2018, the Andrew Eyster MVP season
  • Head Coach/Recruiter: Arthur “Ted” Stenberg: Stenberg was hired to take over the team in 2020, but obviously had to wait until 2021 to lead New Market. He is currently at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
  • Key Pro Alumni: Brendan Donovan (2016) just made his major league debut with St.Louis; Chad Kuhl (2012) is in Colorado’s rotation.
  • An important note: This is an unfortunate transition year for the New Market franchise, as it is the first season in 59 years that will not include Bruce Alger, who passed away in October. He will be missed not only by the town of New Market, but by the entire league as well.

2021 Recap

The 2021 squad struggled mightily with injuries and finished 20-22 in the regular season, in fourth place in the North division, 2.5 games behind third place Winchester and 6.5 behind first place Strasburg. New Market was bounced in two games by the Express in the first round of the playoffs, losing two high-scoring affairs, 10-5 and 13-7. The team was led at the plate (and mound) by Jackson Lancaster (Louisiana Tech), and Reed Mascolo (Wake Forest) was named VBL Pitcher of the Year.

Returners

None

Hitters to Watch

(Stats are through Thursday, May 19)
  • Cameron Thompson, Purdue: .419 OBP for the Boilermakers, along with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs
  • Richie Morales, State College of Florida
  • Tommy Biggs, Copiah-Lincoln CC (Stephen F Austin commit): .313/.392/.664 in 128 at-bats, with 11 doubles, five triples, and eight home runs
  • Zach Shertzer, Mansfield: Five doubles and three home runs in 132 at-bats
  • Dom Popa, Pitt: (Played in PG League in 2021): .475 OBP in 44 spring at-bats
  • Bryce Fowler, Southern Miss

Pitchers to Watch

  • TR Williams, Virginia Tech (transferring to JMU): Clocked as high as 93 mph from the left side
  • Cristian Sanchez, Tulane: Nine K’s in six IP
  • Mason Moore, Kentucky: Pitched in 17 games, all in relief, this spring
  • Connor Blantz, Harford CC (Florida International commit): 7-1, 4.47, 63 K’s in 44 ⅓ innings pitched

Other Notes

  • TR Williams was a star at Page County High School. His career was put on hold for 50 days or so while he battled Guillain-Barre syndrome in 2021. He was one of the top prep prospects in Virginia.
  • Cristian Sanchez is from Centreville High School in Fairfax, VA.