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MD Director of Operations Cole Ledger highlights the top arms he's seen during the week of 4/15 and provides scout notes and video on over a dozen players. Ledger, during that period, was on site to see 8 different matchups in 7 days across Maryland and Delaware. Click the link below and head to the "2024 High School" tab to view our full MD/DE 2024 High School Headquarters, including HS Rankings, Heat Sheet, Scout Blogs, Season Previews, and Preseason All-State Teams.

MD/DE 2024 HS Headquarters

 

  

Brad Marks RHP / Cape Henlopen, DE / 2025 I've had the opportunity to witness Marks in action a few times over the past few weeks, but his most thrilling performance was against the then-ranked #2 Caravel Academy. He showcased a three-pitch mix, consistently baffling the opposition with all his pitches. His fastball, in particular, was a force to be reckoned with, often reaching 88-91, touching 92 during the second inning. The slider wasn't used as frequently in this game but was still effective sitting in the low to mid-70s. Changeup showed some arm-side feel in this outing, sitting 77-79, as he flashed it when going up against left-handed hitters. Marks hurled five-plus innings for the Vikings as he collected the win, allowing only one run while striking out six batters. Velo finally jumped as he threw in the warmth, and his three-pitch mix will continue to be effective as he'll remain the Vikings top arm for years to come as he battles inside the Henlopen Conference.

Eric Benner RHP / Severna Park, MD / 2026 One of our massive standouts this past winter at the Maryland Preseason All-State Session II, I had a chance to watch Benner throw the final two innings in a 10-2 victory on Monday, 4/15, against then-ranked #5 Broadneck. I walked away very impressed as the sophomore featured a two-pitch mix. Went predominantly fastball in this shorter outing, as he liked to change eye levels, mainly targeting up ITZ. Heater touched 89, sitting 87-88 in his first inning out of the bullpen as he worked a quick eleven-pitch inning, collecting one strikeout. In the second inning, he came back out as the FB started to settle in at 85-87. Mixed the FB with a bigger-shaped curveball, working in the low-70s, as it consistently induced weak contact to the pull-side. He has the ability to throw a changeup as well; however, he did not utilize it in this short outing. Definitely was an eye-opening performance out of the 'pen, and Benner has added his name to a deep '26 class as one to keep an eye on for the Falcons in the next few years.

Sean Williams RHP / Severna Park, MD / 2024 I was able to get another look this spring at the Penn State commit on Monday against then-ranked #5 Broadneck, and he continues to battle against top-end lineups across the state. Allowed an early HR in the game, but after that was virtually lights out after the first inning. The senior ended up throwing five strong innings for the Falcons, allowing only three hits while striking out seven batters. Williams continues to showcase one of the better fastballs across the Old Line State as it explodes out of the hand, sitting 90-93 during the game, touching 94 in the first inning. Mixes in the bigger-shaped hammer curveball pretty often in the low to mid-70s as it continues to develop. Williams rounds out the three-pitch arsenal with an occasional fading changeup that sits in the high 70s. Another really strong look as the fastball continues to uptick in velo, and he'll be an arm that no squad wants to face as he leads them through a gauntlet 3A East region.

Sean Ely Jr LHP / Sussex Tech, DE / 2025 I got my first look at the uncommitted junior southpaw out of Sussex Tech, and it was definitely an intriguing look. He's a smaller 5-7 frame on the mound; however, he's an ultra-competitor and has more confidence in his stuff than anyone on the mound. FB works well out of the hand, mainly arm side and away from right-handed hitters. FB velo was up to 87, sitting 84-86. Mixed in a very effective slider that showed good shape, working consistently in the zone at 72-75, inducing whiffs. Flashed an occasional changeup in the high 70s. Ely finished the game throwing five strong innings, allowing no earned runs on only two hits while striking out eight batters. A really intriguing uncommitted junior that people should get eyes on as the velo continues to rise steadily.

Dylan Grise SS/RHP / Indian River, DE / 2026 I had an opportunity to see the sophomore right-hander in action on Tuesday afternoon against #3 Sussex Tech, and Grise continuously battled throughout the game. Had confidence in his stuff, attacking the zone early in counts with a three-pitch arsenal throughout the game. FB generated some whiffs, working both halves of the zone, sitting 83-86. Breaking ball worked away from right-handed hitters for strikes ITZ in the mid-70s, as he rounds out the arsenal with an occasional changeup at 77-78. Indian River continues to showcase some very talented, under-the-radar arms, and Grise puts himself atop that list as he still has room to grow from a 6-0, 180-LB frame.

Britton Wildasin RHP / Oakdale, MD / 2024 The Goldey-Beacom commit took the ball for the Bears in a Wednesday afternoon tilt against top-25-ranked Linganore. Strong 6-2 frame on the mound with a quicker arm action. FB worked both sides in the zone for strikes throughout, sitting 86-88, grabbing one 89 in the first inning. Showed feel for a tighter 10/4 slider in the mid-70s getting whiffs. Changeup worked arm side down below the zone, collecting multiple strikeouts throughout the game with it. Wildasin battled throughout the game and continues to dominate through the CMC conference, finishing with six scoreless innings, allowing three hits, and striking out eight while not walking a single batter. Pounded the zone all afternoon, throwing 79% strikes on 75 total pitches. One of the top public school arms across the state this spring, and certainly was impressive in all facets.

Zach Dodson RHP / Linganore, MD / 2024 Staying in that same matchup, Dodson went up against Wildasin and then top-25-ranked Oakdale and was equally as impressive during this outing. It's been a good while since we've seen Dodson in action. The Frostburg State commit featured an effective three-pitch mix that dominated against every single hitter he faced. FB showed life to both sides of the dish, coming out well, sitting 87-89, touching 90. Consistently, he went to a wipeout slider at 75-77, which collected too many swords to count, and he got better as he settled in. Instead of a changeup, Dodson features a strong cutter that induced swing and miss below the zone at 81-83. He was pulled in the seventh after reaching the pitch count but not after throwing six-plus innings, allowing no earned runs on five hits while striking out nine.

Jake Plainte LHP / Good Counsel, MD / 2024 I finally had the opportunity to get out to Olney this past Saturday as Plainte took the mound in a WCAC matchup against then-ranked VA #2 St. John's. Plainte turned in an impressive line against one of the most feared lineups across the Mid-Atlantic, finishing with 5 innings, allowing only one run on three hits while striking out three. Not a huge strikeout guy, but he pitches to contact and misses barrels in the zone. Fastball sat 83-85 on Saturday morning, working in the zone throughout and inducing weak contact. Kept hitters guessing as he mixed in the curveball, as he utilized the offspeed arsenal to work inside to hitters to generate some frequent swing and miss. Curveball worked 70-72, along with a changeup that worked 77-78 early. He repeated actions on the bump as he wasn't afraid to trust in his stuff, and that resulted in an upset victory for Good Counsel, leading them to a 3-1 victory.

Alex Bergen SS / Good Counsel, MD / 2024 Jamie and I both got eyes on the Gettysburg commit over the course of the last few weeks, and in both outings, his actions continued to impress both of us. He's a high-intent right-hander with a quick arm and a tough slot that gives him an early advantage over hitters. Ran the fastball up to 89, sitting 86-88 in both matchups, as the heater shows some sink through the zone. Occasional slider out of the 'pen on Saturday, as he throws a tight one in the mid-70s for some swing and miss. Ended the game with a changeup in the low-80s to collect one of his two strikeouts in the seventh inning, slamming the door and picking up the save for the Falcons in their win against the Cadets.

Jacob Goldman RHP / Walt Whitman, MD / 2024 The Eastern Florida State College commit got the ball for the Vikings in a Saturday afternoon top-ten matchup against massive rival Bethesda-CC. Goldman ran into some trouble early in the first inning, but I eventually worked out of it and followed up with a much better and more efficient second inning. Strong three-pitch mix, as he worked the FB more arm side throughout this outing, sitting 86-88 early in the game. Curveball worked in the zone consistently at 72-75, as he also flashed a swing and miss changeup at 80-82 that worked down. It may not have been his most dominant outing, but still showed strong stuff and struck out eight batters in five innings.

William Adkinson RHP / Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD / 2025 The very intriguing, uncommitted two-way junior relieved Bobby Burk in Saturday's matchup against Walt Whitman, and was impressive as always. He slammed the door in a massive rivalry win, throwing two scoreless innings out of the 'pen, striking out the side in the seventh, five total in the outing. Pounded the zone and attacked hitters, throwing just under 70% strikes. Showed the ability to spin the fastball as Adkinson ran it up to 86, mainly working away from right-handed hitters. Along with the FB, he flashed a good-looking breaking ball up into the low-70s. It was not the most in-depth look, but I definitely was impressed with the actions portrayed.

Aidan Lehane RHP / Saint Mark's, DE / 2025 This was our first ever look at the junior right-hander from Wilmington, and we liked some of the stuff put on display throughout a shorter outing. Like the 6-1, 190-LB frame with the ability to fill out. He showed the ability to compete in the zone, as he hurled a predominant FB in the upper 80s, up to 88, that worked down at the knees and showed some feel arm side. Bigger-shaped curveball at 66-69 that worked more consistently in the zone, getting some good looks. Only threw two changeups in this outing at 72-73. It wasn't the most extensive look at Lehane, but an arm that we expect to make some jumps and that we can't wait to see once again in the next few months.

Brady Wardell RHP / Conrad School, DE / 2025 This was our first look this season at the University of Maryland commit and the 2022 Prep Baseball Future Games alumni, and even though he still isn't at 100% after returning from an arm injury, his actions still stood out immensely. Works with an impressive four-pitch mix from a tougher low 3/4 slot. FB generated whiffs in the zone at a high rate as he ran it up to 90, sitting 86-88. He mixed in two different distinct breaking balls that induced weak contact, along with an occasional but effective changeup as well. Brady plays with tons of passion on the mound, blocks everything else out, and focuses on what he can control. Ultra-competitor who showed tons of confidence and emotion on the mound after finally being able to get back out there post-rehab. He was on a stricter pitch count this game but still threw five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and struck out five batters. As he continues to gear towards being 100%, expect Wardell to be ready as playoffs begin, as he attempts to lead the Redwolves back to the state title game.