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With the fall finally wrapped up and the 2017 baseball season coming to an end, we take another extremely way too early look and preview into the 2018 high school season. With this Spring Forward segment we will highlight players to watch over the high school season, separated by categories that are listed below. Today we conclude our section of the pitchers to watch for the 2018 high school season. Before Christmas, we will have looked into the following categories: 

Hitters - 11/27
Power Hitters - 11/29
Pitchers Part 1
Pitchers Part 2
Athletes
Defenders
Speedsters
Underclassmen
Two-Way Players
Projection
Teams
Sleepers

Again, its important to note that this isn't a rankings based list. With Pitchers, we decided to break it down into two groups because we had too big of a list to watch. Yesterday you got Part 1 and today we give you Part 2.  This is in no particular order. 

Spring Forward: Pitchers Part 2

 

Jamison Covey RHP / OF / Colonel Richardson, MD / 2019 It's been two years in a row that a Colonel Richardson sophomore had a breakout season. in 2016 it was Jacob Zebron, last season it was Covey. The talented right-hander continued to climb since the spring going from 86 to 89 mph and looking to continue that rise heading into the 2018 season. Covey has reportedly touched some low 90's and made his pledge this summer to Ole Miss. This upcoming spring could be a special one as Covey should come into his own.

 

 

Chris Chaney RHP / SS / Saint James, MD / 2019 Chaney has continued to grow in his career since being an interesting rising freshmen at our Top Prospect Games. The University of Maryland commit is another hard throwing righty who has been up to 90 mph on the bump with his short arm action pitching with some effort. Chaney wears his competitiveness on the mound and attacks hitters constantly throughout an at-bat. Whether he is starting or closing, its the same intent. What makes him equally tough is not only does he has a top tier fastball, but Chaney may have one of the top breaking balls in the state with its late action.

 

 

James Springer LHP / Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD / 2019 Springer is another who has transformed himself since his freshmen year at B-CC. A nice sophomore campaign has set the stage for very interesting junior season as Springer should be one of the top arms in Montgomery county. A Fordham commit, Springer has deception in his delivery along with a long and lanky frame that screams more in the tank. He shows very good command of his fastball that we had up to 83 last summer and should continue to increase this Spring.

 

 

Nick Collier LHP / OF / John Carroll, MD / 2018 Collier will once again be one of the top arms on the Patriots staff, a title he has held for the past three seasons. Collier has an unorthadox delivery and arm action that hides the ball well and can create tough matchups on lefties. Collier is a unique arm in the fact he could fill multiple roles on a staff, having the stuff to be able to go deep in a game, an inning of relief, or even a matchup on a hitter. When on this lefty has the capability to shut down a lineup as see in his final two weeks of last season for JC giving up two runs and 15 strikeouts in 14 inning over three appearances.

 

 

Cameron Nolet LHP / Annapolis, MD / 2018 You could make a strong case to say that Nolet had the top season on St. Mary's staff in 2017 with a strong junior campaign. One of the many St. Mary's transfers, the USC-Aiken commit will spend his senior season at Annapolis HS. Nolet is a smaller stature lefty who fills up the zone and can zip a fastball by hitters with his quick arm and ability to disrupt timing. Nolet can run a low to mid 80's fastball, or place a big breaking ball with depth in the zone. Nolet gives Annapolis a legit ace to their rotation and just makes Anne Arundel County that much tougher this spring

 

 

LJ Barkley RHP / North County, MD / 2018 North County got nice upgrade to the pitching staff when Barkley decided to transfer back to public school from Archbishop Curley for his senior year. Barkley is a strike thrower who can fill up the zone up to 84 mph and shows feel for three pitches. Barkley will give North County an opportunity to win any time he takes the rubber and make the already tough Anne Arundel County conference tougher.

 

 

Ned Ruffin RHP / Boys' Latin, MD / 2018 This imposing right-hander at Boys' Latin was a dominating force as the Lakers ace last season and we wouldn't be surprised if Ruffin puts together one of the top statistical seasons in the state this spring as the Lakers once again will be the favorites in the MIAA B conference. A big 6-foot-5 frame, Ruffin creates true downhill tilt on the baseball with his high arm slot working down the mound. The William & Mary commit should have an impressive 2018 season.

 

 

Matthew Wyatt RHP / Loyola Blakefield, MD / 2019 Wyatt came into his own last year while pitching for Loyola Blakefield as part of their historic championship season. Wyatt is a unique pitcher in the fact he can bring velocity with natural sink on the ball all the while throwing from a lower arm slot. A lot of pitching coaches across the country would like to have that specialty within their staff. Wyatt should get plenty of ground balls for the Don's while also getting his fairshare of strikeouts as well as the Don's hope to repeat in 2018 and should contend with a good portion of their team returning.

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