The weather outside might be frightful, but we have some more preseason Valley League information, which is delightful!

Three former Valley Leaguers have been mentioned in Conference USA’s writeups; two as preseason All-C-USA, and one as a top prospect:

  • Nick Toney has been named the 9th best draft prospect in the league by Baseball America. Floria Atlantic’s sophomore catcher, Toney played for Strasburg in 2019. Recognized as a prospect then, Toney unfortunately sprained his ankle sliding into second base at the Prospect Showcase, costing himself the rest of the season… and maybe an Express title? Anyway, Toney hit .262/.304/.548 in 12 games and 42 at-bats last spring, along with three doubles and three home runs.
  • Hunter Gregory, a righthander at Old Dominion, has been named preseason All-C-USA at starting pitcher. A key player in Charlottesville’s run to the championship series in 2018, Gregory went 2-0, 1.69 in 21 1/3 innings in 2020, along with seven walks and 28 K’s.
  • Last but not least, Gabe Montenegro, a junior outfielder at Southern Miss, is also preseason All-C-USA in the outfield. In 62 at-bats in 2020, Montenegro hit .290/.387/.339 with 15 runs scored and five stolen bases. He played for Waynesboro in 2018.