National Player of the Week: 3/11 to 3/17
March 20, 2024
Today, we’re announcing our third National Player of the Week of the 2024 campaign. This was a competitive week in determining the POTW honor, as just about the entire country has their season underway, aside from some of the states in the northern parts of the nation, with Opening Day less than a week away.
Past Winners
The following players were submitted by their coaches to their states through an official ‘Player of the Week’ form. If you’re a coach interested in submitting a nomination this season but have not yet received that form so far this spring, visit our staff directory to find the contact information for the state director overseeing your state’s season coverage.
Our staff took player stat lines from the week of March 11 to 17 into account when determining these awards.
🏆 National POTW
 |
Cade Brown 3B / Parkview, GA / 2024
– Andy Sroka, Managing Editor, Scouting |
State Players of the Week
Alabama
+ Mason Blasche, 3B/RHP (Hoover HS, 2024) | Samford:
“The Samford recruit was 10-for-18 (.556 BA) with three doubles, one triple and a home run while driving in seven runs for the week. In a 15-inning Bucs win against Pell City, he went nine innings on the mound with 13 strikeouts while allowing one earned run on five hits and he also hitting for the cycle with five RBIs.”
– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor
Arizona
+ Boston Kellner, SS (Hamilton HS, 2025) | Louisville:
“Kellner, a Louisville recruit, transferred to Arizona this past year from Colorado's Pine Creek HS and he immediately took the top spot in our 2025 rankings. The right-handed hitter has been on an absolute mission to open up the 2024 season as he's been driving the ball to all parts of the field on a consistent basis, but really seemed to turn it up a notch this past week at the Boras Classic. Kellner batted .600 across four games in the tournament but it was his ability to leave the yard at will that really propelled the Huskies to a 4-0 run. The Hamilton product blasted five home runs in total as they took down Snow Canyon HS (UT), Basic Academy HS (NV), La Cueva HS (NM) and Chaparral HS en route to the title.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager
Colorado
+ Adam Hayes, RHP/UTL (Berthoud HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Another standout performance comes from the junior Hayes who chucked a seven-inning no-hitter against Northridge, and could have been a perfect game if it wasn't for one hit-by-pitch. Hayes threw 68 of his 95 pitches for strikes in this game and was rewarded with 15 strikeouts to go along with zero hits allowed, zero runs allowed, and no walks allowed. Hayes also went 4-for-6 in the box across two games with his two doubles, a triple, and a single. The junior continues to impress and should be a consistent riser in 2024.”
+ Eddie Castilleja, SS/OF (Peak to Peak HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Castilleja broke out in a big way during the first week of CHSAA play thanks to a three-homer game against Bennett. The 6-foot-3 senior is a two-sport athlete (also plays soccer) who comes with athleticism and physicality in the batter's box. None of the home runs for Castilleja were cheap either, as all three easily cleared the fences. Castilleja is worth a close watch to begin 2024 as he is still uncommitted on the baseball side of things, and is also his program's starting shortstop at the moment. The final line for Castilleja over two games was 4-for-6, three home runs, a double, a stolen base, seven RBIs, five runs, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch.”
– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Asst. Director
Florida
+ Sam Downey, OF (Winter Springs HS, 2024) | Stetson:
“Downey helped Winter Springs go 3-0 in Week Four of the season. He recorded six hits in nine at-bats including two doubles. He helped with five RBIs and seven runs scored as well as two stolen bases.”
Week 4 Stats: 6-for-9, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 7 R, 2 SB.
+ Christos Papapanos, RHP (River Ridge HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Papapanos threw his second no-hitter of the season last week in a 13-0 win over Zephyrhills HS. He threw five innings (mercy rule) and he did not allow a hit, walk, or a run all while striking out 12.”
Week 4 Stats: 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 K.
– Rocco Iervasi, Florida Managing Director
Georgia
+ James Tilley, RHP (Pickens County HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Tilley dominated his lone start last week for Pickens, in which he set the school's all-time strikeout record in a single game with 15. He punched out that many batters without walking one, and he prevented White County HS from scoring on their three scattered hits.”
– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director
Illinois
+ Jack Swaney, 1B (Rochester HS, 2024) | Northern Illinois:
“Swaney took no time to get his bat going in the first week of IHSA action, helping his team to a perfect 4-0 record to start the year while going 7-for-16 with four home runs, one double, 10 RBIs and six runs scored.
Swaney’s most impressive performance came in a 10-9 victory over Joliet West on Saturday, where he went 2-for-4 with two home runs, four RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. The following game on Saturday, Swaney went 2-for-4 once again with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. Then on Wednesday, he helped the Rockets take down Normal Community 10-5 after he went 2-for-4 with a home run, double, four RBIs and two runs scored.
He even hopped on the mound a couple times throughout the week, the first being in the win over Hillsboro with three shutout/hitless innings, striking out four – while the second was another three inning stint against Galesburg where he surrendered just two hits without allowing a run and striking out three.”
+ Brady Bengtson, RHP (Normal Community HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Bengtson showed this past weekend just how deep Normal’s staff really is. In two games this past week, Bengtson combined for seven innings with 14 strikeouts, only walking one and allowing just one hit.
The right-hander’s most impressive outing came on Saturday afternoon against a quality Belleville East club in a 2-0 victory, where he finished the day going five innings without allowing a hit, striking out 11 and walking just one. He was in complete control the entire game, recording the first nine outs of the game via the strikeout.”
– Peter Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Asst. Director
Kentucky
+ Ethan Reynolds, INF (South Warren HS, 2025) | Western Kentucky:
“Reynolds tied for the highest max exit velocity of the Preseason All-State Showcase at 104.6 mph, and it’s no surprise he has gotten off to a red-hot start this spring.
In three games last week (two South Warren wins), Reynolds punished baseballs from the middle of the Spartans lineup. He went 6-for-10 with one double, one triple, two home runs, and eight RBIs. Add in 3 walks and a HBP, and Reynolds reached base at a .714 clip.”
+ Leighton Harris, LHP (Frederick Douglass HS, 2024) | Kentucky:
“Harris, pitching in his first high school baseball game in nearly two years, came out of the gate in dominant fashion firing five shutout innings at South Oldham. The Kentucky commit’s final stat line: 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 14 K. Harris also made sure to record the 15th out of his five-inning stint, picking a runner off first base who had reached via a walk. He generated plenty of swing-and-miss with a high-80s fastball coupled with a wipeout curveball/slider combination.”
– Chris Fuller, Kentucky Executive Director
Louisiana
+ Giancarlo Arencibia, RHP (Rummel HS, 2024) | Tulane:
“Rummel moved back into the top-10 of our Power 25 Rankings this week, after going 3-1 last week, which included a sweep of John Curtis Christian. Arencibia got the start in last Tuesday's matchup against the Patriots and once again delivered a brilliant performance for the Raiders. The former Future Gamer and Tulane recruit tossed a complete game no-hitter with six Ks (five walks) on 118 pitches (70/48, BB/K). While Arencibia gave up more free passes than he probably would've liked, he still competed his tail off and led Rummel to the 3-0 victory over John Curtis Christian.”
+ Braylen Montgomery , OF (Walker HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Walker is off to a fantastic start to the 2024 season, as they currently own a 13-5 overall record, and Montgomery is a big reason why. The uncommitted sophomore had a monster week at the plate for the Wildcats in Week Four, as he went 8-for-16 (.500) with two homers, three doubles, 10 RBIs, and he scored six runs and stole two bags. He also played stellar defense, as he recorded two outfield assists last week. A top-five player in our state's 2026 rankings, Montgomery has always owned some of the best raw tools in the class, and if he can continue to perform at the 5A level this spring, then he'll surely be a hot commodity for college recruiters this coming summer.”
– Alex Armand, Louisiana Scouting Director
Mississippi
+ Brayden Smith, C (Belmont HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Smith was a pest to opposing pitchers last week as the Cardinal catcher went 9-for-13, reaching base 11 times and scoring a total of 10 runs. The uncommitted 2025 is now hitting .364 on the season.”
+ Jack Ketchum, RHP (Heritage Academy HS, 2024) | Alabama:
“The Alabama recruit was dominant in a start last week going seven innings, allowing two hits, no runs, while striking out a total of 15 hitters. Ketchum is now 2-1 with a 1.05 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 20 innings this year.”
– Matt Miller, Mississippi State Director
Nevada
+ Brady Dallimore, C (Palo Verde HS, 2025) | TCU:
“The Texas Christian commit and 2023 West Coast ProCase representative was the offensive leader this past week for Palo Verde as he picked up eight hits across five games, including a pair of homeruns that helped Panthers to four wins. The 6-foot-3, 211-pound right-handed hitting catcher came through with a big three-run shot against Desert Oasis to put Palo Verde in the lead. Throughout the entire week, Dallimore went 8-for-14 with two homers, a triple, 10 RBIs, seven runs scored and four walks. Dallimore is batting .535 with 12 extra-base hits through his 14 games this season.”
FINAL STAT LINE: 8-for-14, 2 HR, 3B, 10 RBI, 7 R, 4 BB.
+ Zach Dinubilo, RHP/OF (Spanish Springs HS, 2024) | Clark JC (WA):
“Dinubilo, a senior, got the ball in a big matchup on Thursday against Reno and had his stuff working as he went 5.2 innings without surrendering a hit. The Clark JC commit ultimately went six innings allowing no runs, one hit and struck out eight as the Cougars picked up a big 1-0 victory over Reno. Dinubilo has been a go-to arm for Spanish Springs this season as he currently boasts a 0.00 ERA.”
FINAL STAT LINE: 6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 8 K.
– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager
North Carolina
+ Sean Jenkins, RHP (Fred T. Foard HS, 2025) | East Carolina:
“Jenkins fired a complete game shutout, striking out 17 last week. Jenkins only allowed two hits and a walk, firing 69 strikes in his 96 pitch effort (72 percent strikes).”
+ Anderson Nance, RHP/SS (Morehead HS, 2024) | NC State:
“Nance hit in the leadoff spot in all three games, collecting 9 hits and a walk in 12 plate appearances. While hitting .818 on the week, Nance scored seven runs and collected eight RBIs.
Nance, the Panthers’ ace also worked 4.2 innings, collecting 13 strikeouts in a win. The strikeouts moved him to the top of the all-time Rockingham County strikeout list. He also moved to the top of the Rockingham County stolen base list, swiping four bags last week.”
– Brandon Hall, Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director
Oklahoma
+ Carter Parent, C (Yukon HS, 2024) | Palm Beach Atlantic:
“Parent's bat and his big productivity with driving in runs to help the Millers to a 3-1 week that earned him the award. Parent finished the week going 8-for-12 (.666 batting average) that included three doubles, a home run, three stolen bases, and an eye-popping 11 RBIs. The Palm Beach Atlantic commit has the ability to play all over the field and has taken on a more substantial role in the middle of the Millers' lineup in his senior campaign.”
– Scott Hood, Oklahoma State Director
South Carolina
+ Bradley Anderson, RHP (Fox Creek HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“This uncommitted arm and former Future Gamer got the ball this last week Tuesday and he went on to throw a gem, tossing 6.2 innings of no-hit baseball while collecting 16 strikeouts.”
– Sammy Esposito, South Carolina Scouting Director
Tennessee
+ Carson Quillen, 3B (Greeneville HS, 2025) | Virginia Tech:
“Did a little bit of everything on both sides of the ball for Greeneville in the opening week of the spring season. At the plate, Quillen was 14-for-26 (.538), with seven doubles, one home run, seven RBIs and scored nine runs. On the mound, he earned a win and one save, allowing no-hits, one walk, and he tallied 11 punch-outs – all coming in 6.1 innings of work on the mound. It's been a strong start to the spring for the Virginia Tech recruit.”
+ Christian Henderson, RHP (Clarksville HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“The uncommitted right-hander was dominant on the mound for Clarksville this past week. Henderson logged 12 innings of work across two starts, earning wins in both outings. Combined in both outings over the week, he tallied 22 Ks, allowing just nine hits in those two starts, allowing just one earned run, and one walk. During his complete-game shutout against Mt. Juliet, the righty needed just 79 pitches to earn the win, landing 60 of them for strikes.”
– Hunter Martin, Tennessee Scouting Director
Texas
+ Jaylen Walker, OF/RHP (Lutheran South Academy HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Walker continued to swing a hot bat this week for Lutheran South. The sophomore tallied three extra-base hits, including two home runs. He drove in four runs and scored four himself. He now has three home runs on the year as well as five doubles.”
+ Kolbe Fielder, LHP (L.D. Bell HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Fielder has been lights out on the mound this year for L.D. Bell and that continued this week. He tossed a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts. He was a walk away from a perfect game, which came in the final seventh frame. He now has 39 strikeouts in 27 innings this season.”
– Tyler Defibaugh, Area Scout & Content Manager
Utah
+ Easton Barrett, LHP/OF (Springville HS, 2024) | Arizona State:
“The Arizona State commit has been a standout on the mound the past several years but it was the bat this past week that did the job for Springville. The Red Devils scored 32 runs in four games last week as they claimed victory in all of them, thanks in large part to the offensive production from Barrett. He’s the No. 2-ranked senior in Utah.”
WEEK’S STAT LINE: 4 G, 11 AB, 6 R, 7 H, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 2 2B, 3 BB, 2 SB.
+ Braxton Yates, LHP/OF (Dixie HS, 2024) | College of Southern Idaho JC:
“It was a busy week for the Dixie Flyers as they played six games in five days, going 5-1 while scoring nine or more runs in all of those wins. The College of Southern Idaho commit was the driving force in their offense this past week as he seemed to find the gaps or leave the yard in each game. Impressive week at the dish from the West Coast Game alum.”
WEEK’S STAT LINE: 10-for-18, 13 R, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 2 2B, 3 3B, 3 SB.
– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager
Virginia
+ Sean McCabe, RHP (St. John's College HS, 2025) | College of Charleston:
“In what was probably the game of the week that saw the No. 1 St. John's Cadets take down the No. 7 Cox Falcons, McCabe was masterful in his 3.1 innings pitched, striking out nine. He allowed two balls in play and walked two, one a hit batter and the other a four-pitch walk.”
– Jason Burton, Virginia/DC Scouting Director