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By Jerry Shank
Maryland / Virginia Scouting Director

We continue our 2017 Season Preview Coverage with the release of our Preseason All State First Team. Over the course of the next month and change, we will give you continued 2017 High School preview coverage with team profiles, our preview of each classification, MIAA Preview, as well as preseason all state teams and our Maryland Power Rankings.

All Underclass Team
Third Team
Second Team

Maryland Preseason All State First Team

Position	Player	High School	Grad
Pitcher	Kieran Garner	River Hill	2017
Pitcher	Sean Fisher	Parkside	2017
Pitcher	Harold Cortijo	Riverdale Baptist	2017
Pitcher	Stephen Pelli	St. Mary's	2018
Pitcher	Gunner Barnard	Marriotts Ridge	2017
Pitcher	Tristan McDonough	Stephen Decatur	2018
Catcher	Garret Matheney	Calvert Hall	2017
Catcher	Evan Blum	Georgetown Prep	2017
Infielder	Jeremy Arocho	Old Mill	2017
Infielder	Kody Milton	Severna Park	2018
Infielder	Brandon Dorsey	Riverdale Baptist	2017
Infielder	Ryan Archibald	John Carroll	2018
Outfielder	Jack Schroeder	Mount Hebron	2017
Outfielder	Randy Bednar	Landon	2017
Outfielder	Ethan Gallagher	Mount. St. Joes	2017
Two-Way	Joe Seidler	Chesapeake	2018
Two-Way	Ryan Bywaters	Smithsburg	2017
Two-Way	Raphael Baumgardner	Bullis	2017

Comments

Pitchers

Kieran Garner is one of the top pitching prospects in the 2017 class and has shown the ability to shut down opposing lineups in game. Building off a strong 2016 season as a team, look for River Hill to make another run and Garner will be leading the way...Parkside HS has traditionally had some of the best pitching combinations in the state and this season is no different. Sean Fisher showed versatility coming in many roles for the Rams last season and we think he will take a big step forward in his senior campaign...Harold Cortijo is currently ranked No. 1 in the Maryland 2017 rankings and will get attention every time he steps on the mound...Stephen Pelli heads up the St. Mary's staff in year two at the MIAA A level. If the saints wish to make a push this year for a championship, Pelli will have to take over some games, which he is very capable of doing...Gunner Barnard will be a big player for Marriotts Ridge as they hope to get to the 2A Championship. Marriotts Ridge and Barnard will be tested plenty being the smallest school in the Howard County conference, but the talented righty will give him team an opportunity to win each time out...Tristan McDonough has been consistently pitching at a high level for Stephen Decatur since his freshmen year and now his junior campaign don't be surprised to see another step forward for the Miami commit.

Catchers

Garrett Matheny has quietly molded himself into one of the top players in the state. The Calvert Hall backstop is poised to have himself a big season. An overall athlete, Matheny has high end speed to match with his ability to hit for average and sneaky power combined with his quick catch-and-throw from the backstop...After an injury filled 2016, we see a bounce back year for Gerogetown Prep catcher Evan Blum. The sweet swinging lefty will pepper the gaps this spring as Prep wants to get back to an IAC title.

Infielders

With one full year under his belt now in Maryland, look for Ryan Archibald to have a breakout year for John Carroll this season. Archibald came to John Carroll last year moving from California and instantly impressed his counterparts with his ability. This summer he continued to show growth and potential both as a pitcher and hitter and that led the way to his eventual commitment to Maryland. A sweet lefty stroke will pose a threat in the middle of the Carroll lineup this spring. Archibald will be a major contributor to John Carroll this season in their efforts to win the MIAA...It's no secret that Jeremy Arocho has been a top player in the state since he set foot on the field at Old Mill high school. Considered one of the top defensive players in the 2017 class in the PBR network, you will have your fare share of "wow" moments watching the young talent play. Arocho has the ability to quickly move himself into scoring position once on base, which will give his teammates plenty of opportunity to rack up some RBI's this season. How much that happens could play a big role in the success for Old Mill this 2017...Kody Milton has quickly established himself as one of the state top hitters and that is still the case heading into just his junior season. Playing in the tough Arundel conference, a lot of his season will depend on how much he will be pitched to in games. If that becomes the case, it could be a big season...As mentioned in our player of the year candidates, we think Brandon Dorsey could put up some crazy RBI totals for Riverdale Baptist this spring. A dangerous bat in his own right, we think this year is a strong one for Dorsey.

Outfield

Jack Schroeder will once again be a major player for Mount Hebron this season on the mound and at the plate. We see Schroeder continuing to hit the ball well this spring in Howard county as Hebron wants to get back to the state title game like they did in 2015...The staff ace and most dangerous hitter at Landon is Randy Bednar. He will hit for average and also show off some power numbers while covering a lot of ground in center for the Bears. If Landon wishes to repeat in the IAC, Bednar will again be a major reason to that...Keep an eye out for Mount St. Joseph this season as they will quietly have one of the deeper lineups in the MIAA this spring. Holding his spot in the middle should be Ethan Gallagher and his big hit potential.

Two-Way

Joe Seidler will again be a major reason Chesapeake should contend for a 3A title in 2017 after making it to the championship game and falling just short in what was a wild game in 2016. Seidler will be a top flight arm, be consistent bat in the lineup, and what gets overlooked at times is his athleticism at first base defensively...Ryan Bywaters should be all over the place for Smithsburg this season both as a top outfielder in western Maryland and a top arm in the state. Already one of our player of the year candidates, we see Bywaters having a big season in 2017...Reigning IAC player of the year Raffy Baumgardner looks to have another big year for Bullis in 2017. Look for Baumgardner again to contribute at a high level in the teams goal to win a tough IAC.

More Season Preview