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National Player of the Week: 3/18 to 3/24

March 27, 2024
By Andy Sroka
Managing Editor, Scouting

 

Today, we’re announcing our fourth National Player of the Week of the 2024 campaign. This was a very competitive week in determining the POTW honor, as just about the entire country has their season well underway. It made for a tough selection for the latest National POTW award as a result, as several names were in the mix for this week's honor.

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 18 to 24 into account when determining these awards.

🏆 National POTW

AJ Evasco 1B / Lincoln East, NE / 2024

“Lincoln East's first baseman had an opening week that includes an 11-for-21 stretch, featuring seven extra-base hits (four doubles, a triple, two home runs). The Kansas State commit drove in 16 and scored another 13 times himself. Meanwhile, Lincoln East is off to a 7-0 start as the No. 1-ranked team on the state's Class A Power 10.”

 – Pascal Paul, Nebraska Scouting Director

State Players of the Week

Alabama

+ Carson Smith, C/RHP (North Jackson HS, 2024) | Snead State CC:
“Smith was 12-for-17 (.706 BA) on the week with four doubles and two home runs. He also drove in 10 runs, scored 11 times while walking twice.”

(3/2/24)

+ Miles Edwards, RHP (Lauderdale County HS, 2024) | Wallace-Hanceville CC:
“Edwards continues to dominate this spring as he turned in a complete game (8 IP) gem to get the win in extra innings while only allowing one hit. He did not allow a run and only walked one while striking out 15 hitters.”

– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor

Arizona

+ Justice Yanke, INF/RHP (Mountain View HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Yanke got the start on Thursday for the Mountain View Toros and went the distance, working seven shutout innings en route to a 1-0 victory over Cibola. In the seven innings, Yanke allowed no runs, four hits, no walks and struck out three. Yanke has been a major bright spot on the mound this year for the Toros as this was his second straight seven-inning complete game shutout.

Just last week, the uncommitted right-hander shutout Eastmark in a 6-0 win. Mountain View currently has five wins on the season and Yanke has pitched in three of those.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager

Colorado

+ Ethan Fillinger, SS/RHP (Windsor HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Fillinger did a little bit of everything offensively last week thanks to going 8-for-13 with three homers, a triple, a double, a stolen base, eight RBIs, eight runs scored, and a walk. The uncommitted '25 prospect is the No. 5-ranked shortstop in the state's class, and his scorching start has helped lead his 4A program to a 5-0 start this spring.”

+ Wyatt Rudden, RHP (Cherry Creek HS, 2025) | Michigan:
“Rudden tossed a gem in what ended up being a 1-0 win for his Cherry Creek Bruins' squad over Valley Vista in Arizona. The Michigan commit whiffed 12 batters, allowed just one hit, and walked three. Rudden also held down over a 62 percent strike rate in this game. The junior is one of the top arms in the state and continues to get better.”

– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Staff

Florida

+ Justin Tranum, LHP (Central HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Tranum was outstanding in his start last week against Fivay. The southpaw worked six shutout innings allowing just one hit while striking out fifteen. Tranum did not allow a walk in Central's 8-0 victory."

  • Final Line: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 15 K

+ Vaughn Howard, SS (Pensacola Catholic HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“The freshman Howard had a big week for Catholic. Seven total hits throughout the week including a home run. He also added three doubles, seven RBIs, and six runs scored for his team."

  • Week Five Totals: 7-for-10, 1 HR, 3 2B, 7 RBI, 6 R, 1 SB

– Rocco Iervasi Jr., Florida Managing Director

Illinois

+ Tyler Zuber, RHP (Mt. Zion HS, 2024) | Lake Land JC:
“Zuber fired a no-hitter over six innings, without walking a single batter and he punched out 16 total. Zuber is now 2-0 on the year with 11 innings under his belt to pair with 23 strikeouts, just one hit allowed, a 0.64 ERA and 0.273 WHIP.”

– Pete Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Assistant Director

+ Nate Stempowski, SS (Geneva HS, 2024) | McHenry County JC:
“Stempowski has been a driving force in Geneva's success, finishing this past week at a 7-for-8 clip with a home run, triple, three doubles and seven RBIs. Tuesday, March 19th was arguably the highlight of Stempowski’s week, as he hit for the cycle in an 18-3 win over South Elgin that only lasted four innings.”

– Pete Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Assistant Director

Kansas

+ Colton Sims, 3B (Shawnee Mission East HS, 2025) | Vanderbilt:
“Sims started as hot in the first five games of the spring as any player nominated. The Vanderbilt commit collected eight hits in 15 at-bats, including three doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs for a slash line of .533/.579/1.133. Sims also played impressive defense at third base making every play, including a couple 'web-gem' plays.”

(3/18/24)

– Andy Urban, Central Region Supervisor

Kentucky

+ Ryan Eubanks, 1B (Eastern HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Eubanks, an uncommitted senior, is off to a red-hot start for the reigning 7th Region champs. Eubanks helped carry Eastern to five wins last week. He finished the week going 8-for-11 with three doubles, two home runs, and 12 RBIs. He also drew two walks to go along with three HBPs, making his on-base percentage last week week at .812 overall.”

+ JT Ritchie, RHP (Bourbon County HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“The sophomore right-hander from Bourbon County HS fired a complete-game no-hitter while racking up 11 strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Estill County on March 21. Ritchie features an upper-80s fastball and sharp mid-70s slider that has produced 17 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA through 12 innings thus far this spring.”

(2/10/24)

– Chris Fuller, Kentucky Executive Director

Louisiana

+ Collin Harris, OF (Barbe HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Barbe owns a 19-5 record and currently sits at No. 4 in our Power 25 Rankings. The Bucs went a perfect 4-0 last week with a district sweep of Southside and Comeaux. The uncommitted senior dealt with an injury early in the season, and has played sparingly up to this point, but he may have earned himself some additional looks after his performance last week. Harris went 4-for-7 (.571) with two homers, two triples, that produced nine RBIs and four runs scored in his team's four games last week. One of his two home runs on Saturday against Comeaux was a grand slam.”

+ Carsen Hebert, RHP (Covenant Christian HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Covenant Christian is off to a really good start this spring as they currently own a 15-2 overall record. The Lions went a perfect 3-0 last week with wins over Central Catholic, Highland Baptist Christian, and Hanson Memorial, and Hebert was a big reason for the team's success last week. The uncommitted junior got the start on Saturday against Hanson Memorial and earned the win after tossing six innings of no-hit baseball, while giving up one unearned run on five walks and he K'd six. He also swung the bat extremely well last week, as he went 7-for-10 (.700) with two homers, including a grand slam, a triple, eight RBIs, eight runs, and he stole three bases.”

– Alex Armand, Louisiana Scouting Director

Mississippi

+ Eric Booth Jr., OF (Oak Grove HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“The former Prep Baseball Future Gamer from this past summer had a strong week offensively for the Oak Grove Warriors. Booth was 6-for-8 at the plate, (.750 average) that also consisted of three doubles, a triple and five total RBIs on the week. Booth's strong performance would earn him Player of the Week honors for Week 6 in Mississippi.”

(2/10/24)

+ Brayden Moberly, 1B (Lake Cormorant HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Lake Cormorant's Brayden Moberly had a stellar performance on the mound in Week 6. Moberly would toss seven innings, allowing just five hits, no earned runs and striking out a total of 15 opposing hitters. His outing would earn him Pitcher of the Week honors in Mississippi for the week.”

– Matt Miller, Mississippi State Director

Nebraska

+ Maddox Meyer, RHP (Malcolm HS, 2024) | Nebraska-Omaha:
“Meyer made three appearances in the first stretch of the season. The right-hander worked 12 innings and struck out 24, walked only three, and allowed just two earned runs. Meyer is a University of Nebraska-Omaha commit.”

– Pascal Paul, Nebraska Scouting Director

Nevada

+ Rookie Shepard, SS (Faith Lutheran HS, 2026) | Miami:
“The Miami commit and the No. 4-ranked '26 in the country was driving the ball for extra-bases all week long as he helped the Faith Lutheran Crusaders pick up three wins in as many games.

The left-handed hitter blasted a pair of home runs, including an important one against Green Valley as Faith Lutheran squeezed out a 2-0 win. In total, Shepard went 6-for-10 with two home runs, three doubles, five RBIs, five runs scored and a walk.

Shepard continues to stand out each time he takes the field and is currently batting .412 on the season.”

+ Zack Silverman, LHP (Reno HS, 2024) | Umpqua CC:
“Silverman turned in one of the more dominant performances on the mound so far this season as he went the distance for Reno on Friday, allowing just one-hit and no walks or no runs. The left-hander faced the minimum as he allowed a base-hit to leadoff hitter before picking him off and retiring the rest of the batters he faced.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager

North Carolina

+ Nic Harris, RHP (Charlotte Christian HS, 2024) | Elon:
“The senior right-hander at Charlotte Christian started two games – both against teams ranked on the NC Prep Baseball Power 25 – and Harris picked up two wins working 10-plus innings, giving up seven hits and no earned runs. In his start against Charlotte Catholic, Harris pitched six strong innings, striking out six as Christian won 3-1 last week Monday. Last Saturday, Christian hosted the defending 4A state champions, TC Roberson, where Harris picked up the win working into the fifth."

+ 2-0; faced two Power 25-ranked teams
+ 10.2 IP, 7H, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 11 K

(3/8/24)

– Brandon Hall, North Carolina & Mid-Atlantic Director of Scouting

Oklahoma

+ Kyler Zagar, LHP/OF (Perry HS, 2024) | Cowley County JC:
“While combing through submissions and scouring box scores from the previous week, there were many prospects that put up strong performances but it was the outing on the bump and strong offensive week from Perry's Kyler Zagar that took home this award. 

Zagar went 6.2 innings against a strong lineup in Sand Springs and dominated throughout the outing allowing only four hits, one run, and racking up an impressive 16 strikeouts to take down the Sandites. Zagar also added some offense to the Maroons this week as he went 6-for-10 at the plate with three doubles, walking six times, and picking up three RBI. The Cowley County JC recruit has been catching some buzz as of late and his work on the mound this season paired with a strong jump in stuff over the past year makes him one to watch out for as the season progresses.”

– Scott Hood, Oklahoma State Director

South Carolina

+ Brody Linker, RHP (Crescent HS, 2024) | Presbyterian:
“Linker got the ball last week against Walhalla and threw a gem, throwing seven innings of no-hit baseball while collecting 15 strikeouts and only two walks.”

+ Carter Blankinship, OF (Fort Mill HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“This player shined on the baseball field last week for Fort Mill. Blankinship was unbelievable from the plate, as he hit .571 (12 PA) with a double and a pair of home runs, producing eight RBIs, six runs, and he also walked five times. He solely lifted his team to a win with a single-game performance in which he homered twice, doubled, and drove in six.”

– Sammy Esposito, South Carolina Scouting Director

Tennessee

+ Briley Larue, C/RHP (Jefferson County HS, 2024) | Cumberland:
“Larue had a really strong week for Jefferson County at the plate as the senior was 11-for-16 (.687), with three doubles, launching four home runs, and collecting 15 total RBIs. He also contributed on the mound as well, the right-hander logged 5.1 innings of work, allowing four hits and recording nine strikeouts.”

+ Joseph Summers, RHP (Oakdale School HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Summers was dominant on the mound for Oakdale this past week, in his seven complete innings, over a pair of outings. Summers would allow just one hit and recorded 20 total strikeouts. In his two outings, he tossed two complete-game shutouts and one of those would be a perfect game performance.”

– Hunter Martin, Tennessee Scouting Director

Texas

+ Kade Davis, LHP/OF (Cedar Park HS, 2024) | Temple JC:
“Davis has had a good senior season so far for the Timberwoles and last week was nothing different. In eight at bats, he had five hits, including a grand slam and a double to tally five RBIs. He ended the week with a .700 OBP after tallying a few walks. Davis does it all for Cedar Park, In the game where he hit the go ahead grand slam, he also threw a complete game.”

(2/22/24)

+ Michael Catalano, RHP (Frisco HS, 2024) | Oklahoma:
“Catalano was lights out in his performance last week. He threw a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts and only one walk. The fastball was 90-93 mph and he showed feels for both a slider and curveball at 79-81 and 76-77, respectively. The OU recruit carried his team to a 1-0 victory.”

(3/22/24)

– Tyler Defibaugh, Area Scout & Content

Utah

+ Haigen Reed, OF (Desert Hills HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“The West Coast Games alum and uncommitted talent was offensive leader this past week for Desert Hills as the team went 4-1, jumping up to No. 7 in Utah's Power 25 Rankings. Reed went 8-for-15 across four games with a home run, two doubles, nine runs scored, nine RBIs and four walks. Reed is the top uncommitted 2025 in the state and he leads the team in nearly every major offensive cateogory.”

(2/24/24)

+ Ryder Harrison, OF (Snow Canyon HS, 2024) | Salt Lake CC:
“It was a massive week for the Snow Canyon offense as they put up 72 runs across six games and Ryder Harrison was in the middle of it as he drove in nine of those runs. In six games played, the Salt Lake CC commit and West Coast Games alum went 10-for-17 with two triples, two doubles, seven runs scored, nine RBI and three walks. Harrison is batting .432 on the season for the second-ranked Snow Canyon Warriors.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager

Virginia

+ Julius Bagnerise, SS (Colgan HS, 2025) | George Mason:
“For Week Two, the honor goes to Colgan's junior shortstop, Julius Bagnerise. On Tuesday, in a big Cardinal District matchup with Woodbridge, Bagnerise was 3-for-3 in the game with a walk, double, and a grand slam, driving in five runs total.”

(3/19/24)

– John Nolan, NOVA Scouting Coordinator

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