By Jerry Shank
Maryland Scouting Director

Last week PBR Maryland sent out a survey to high school coaches across the state. The poll gave coaches the opportunity to select from players across the state and pick who they would take at each position. After tallying all the votes together, here are what the coaches had to say.

Catcher (In order of votes)

Carter Sears, Archbishop Spalding
+Sears will be part of a talented Spalding roster looking to repeat in 2016 as MIAA A champions for the third year in a row. Heading to James Madison next year, Sears is a great all-around catching prospect that will also contribute offensively as well.

(Tie) Joey Mendez, Riverdale Baptist and Brady O’Neil, St. Mary’s
+Both are talented catchers that offer plenty of athleticism behind the plate. Mendez signed with Longwood and will be a top player on the Riverdale Baptist roster this year. O’Neal is heading down south to USC-Aiken and is an interesting catcher that also shows the athleticism to play other positions as well.

First Base

Kody Milton, Severna Park
+Though only a sophomore, Milton has made his name known very quickly contributing to the Severna Park lineup last season as the Falcons made it all the way to the 4A state championship. Milton hit a walk-off homerun during the playoffs and is quickly becoming a power threat in the state. 

Matt Mervis, Georgtown Prep
+Possibly the best power threat in the state, Mervis will once again be a staple in the middle of the Little Hoyas lineup for 2016. Mervis will be heading to Duke next fall.

Infield

David Harding, Archbishop Spalding
+The Princeton signee plays with a high motor and will anchor the infield and most likely the top of the order this season for Spalding.

Jeremy Arocho, Old Mill
+Maryland commit and 2017 graduate Arocho is currently the seventh highest rated shortstop in the PBR network of coverage and No. 1 in the Maryland 2017 rankings.

(Tie) Brian Dempsey, Georgetown Prep and Connor Shockley, Parkside
+Dempsey has some of the best instincts around and is another member of the Little Hoyas heading to the ACC (Boston College). Shockley filled in at shortstop for Parkside after Brady Shreeves was injured and provided a solid glove along with a hot bat the second half of the year for the Rams.

Dalton Stewart, Boonsboro
+Headed to UMBC next fall, Stewart provides a dangerous bat in any lineup along with sound defensive ability. He anchor an interesting Boonsboro squad for 2016.

Outfield

Randy Bednar, Landon
+Ranked No.2 in the class of 2017 ranks, Bednar is a talented athlete that combines high end speed with power potential and strong defensive skills.

DaVonn Griffin, Hammond
+Griffin was a fast riser this past summer getting lots of interest with his speed and ability from the outfield. The JMU signee is a top of the order hitter with raw ability.

Zech McPherson, Riverdale Baptist
+Committed to Penn State for football, McPherson is no slouch on the diamond. He covers plenty of ground in the outfield with a quick and confident first step and is another that can create havoc on the base paths.

(Tie) Ryan Brown, Saint James and Zack DeCarlo, Gaithersburg
+Brown quietly grew into one of the top players in the 2016 class since last February. Brown will be a nice addition to the Charleston-Southern roster next fall. DeCarlo will play another key role for Gaithersburg in their run to repeat as State Champ.

Pitchers

Anthony Felitti, Gaithersburg
+Felitti sits at No. 2 in the class of 2016 Maryland rankings and was a key figure in the Trojans championship run. Will be interesting to see how this lefty progresses in college as he adds strength. Felitti is signed with George Mason.

Tyler Blohm, Archbishop Spalding
+Another talented lefty, Blohm has a great frame and looks to have more in the tank on the mound. He will be the ace for Spalding this year and is heading to Maryland.

Nick Pantos, Gaithersburg
+After missing time on the mound last season, Pantos looks to come back for 2016 and be part of the potent 1-2 punch for Gaithersburg on the mound. He is headed to Maryland next fall.  

Elliott Zoellner, St. Mary’s
+Another Maryland signee, Zoellner is one of the hardest throwers in the state and has more in there. After missing a good portion of St. Mary’s season last year, he will need to pace St. Mary’s pitching staff as they make the jump to the MIAA “A” division for 2016.

Grant Burleson, Parkside
+Burleson had an impressive summer for the Evoshield Canes. The Maryland commit will be called upon to help the Parkside pitching staff with Hunter Parson now off to college.

Utility/DH

Spencer Horwitz, St. Pauls
+The dangerous left-handed hitting Horwitz catches and plays infield for St. Pauls and handles the middle of the lineup.

(Tie) Nehemiah Wright, Riverdale Baptist and Jack Schroeder, Mount Hebron
+Wright can play multiple positions in the field and will have an increased role for Riverdale Baptist this 2016 while VCU commit Schroeder will play a large role in the field and on the mound for Mount Hebron in their attempt to get back to the 3A state championship.