National Player of the Week: 4/1 to 4/7
April 11, 2024
Today, we’re announcing our sixth National Player of the Week of the 2024 campaign. This was another very competitive week for the POTW honor. But we ultimately landed on a sophomore from South Carolina who clubbed three homers and drove in 12 runs.
PAST WINNERS
The players listed below were submitted by their coaches to their states through an official ‘Player of the Week’ form, and they were awarded the Player or Pitcher of the week awards in their respective states. 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 April 1-7 into account when determining these awards.
🏆 NATIONAL POTW
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Sterling Coaxum OF / Hanahan, SC / 2026
Coaxum was named the four-day tournament’s MVP and he has earned our National POTW honors in addition to the event’s award. |
Hanahan is playing like one of the top programs in South Carolina this season, at 20-1 overall, and they’re riding the high of winning their own in-season tournament, the Hanahan Invitational, for the first time in its 54-year history. At the center of the action was Coaxum, a Clemson commit, who slugged two grand slams in the same win against one of the top teams in Kentucky, McCracken County HS, which they beat again in the event’s semifinals. Coaxum and Hanahan topped Berkeley HS in the championship game which earned them the H.I.T. title for the very first time ever. He finished the tourney 9-for-13 with three home runs (two grand slams), 12 RBIs, eight runs, and four steals.
STATE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Alabama
+ Kennith Dalton Jackson, 3B (Florala HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Jackson earned Alabama's 'Player of the Week' honors after a big week both at the plate and on the mound for Florala, who just wrapped up another area championship in Class 1A. Being a staple inside the heart of the order for the Wildcats, the uncommitted junior was a big-time run-producer this past week going 9-for-12 (.750 batting average) at the plate. Out of those nine hits on the week, he hit five doubles, two home runs, and drove in nine runs while scoring five times and stealing a base. That didn't seem to be enough for Jackson, as he was also dominant on the mound throwing five innings and allowing just one hit, no runs, and striking out seven.”
+ Colton Sampson, LHP (Lakeside HS, 2024) | Seminole State CC:
“Sampson enjoyed another stellar week on the mound and continues to toss quality outings for the Chiefs. A Seminole State CC recruit, the southpaw was nearly perfect on the mound in his start this week, and faced two over the minimum while striking out nearly two batters an inning. Going 1-0 and getting the win during his outing, the left-hander tossed a complete-game shutout going seven innings while allowing just one hit, no runs, one walk, and striking out 13 hitters. The Chiefs wrapped up an area championship this past week, and Sampson's outing was a big reason why.”
– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor
Arizona
+ Johnny Casale, LHP/1B (Brophy College Prep HS, 2024) | Loyola Marymount:
“Casale got the start on Thursday in their second game against Perry and the Loyola Marymount commit was dominant over six innings as he didn't surrender a run in the 6-0 win to extend Brophy's record 16-4 at the time. Casale allowed just two hits and one walk while racking up 10 punch-outs. The left-hander provides production and value for the Broncos on both sides of the ball and will be an important piece to this team down the stretch as they're rolling in 6A Premier action.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager
Arkansas
+ Jaison Delamar, OF/C (Fayetteville HS, 2025) | Arkansas:
“Delamar had an explosive week at the plate helping Fayetteville secure four wins last week. Delamar, an Arkansas recruit, is a former Future Games participant and he has been impressing scouts for years. His physicality and athleticism are apparent, along with developing feel for the barrel. He totaled 11 hits over the past four games, including four doubles and two triples, and he also swiped three bags.”
– Griffin Smith, Arkansas Area Scout
California
+ Tyler Patrick, RHP/C (Clovis West HS, 2024) | Fresno State:
“Patrick spun an absolute gem for Clovis West in his start against the Frontier Titans (14-3 entering the game). Patrick went a complete game allowing just two hits and struck out 14 hitters for a 2-1 win. On the season the senior is 3-1 with a save in 25.2 innings pitched and has punched out 36 hitters with an eye popping .55 ERA and .110 opponents batting average in his senior season.”
+ Jacob Castillo, C/INF (Excelsior Charter HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Castillo, from Excelsior Charter School, had an outstanding week for the Eagles. In 10 total plate appearances Castillo reached base nine times including going 6-for-7 at the plate and he drew three walks. In those six hits he drove in seven runs. Castillo is having a fantastic sophomore season hitting .457 leading the regulars for the Eagles with seven doubles, two home runs and 15 RBIs so far this spring.”
+ Brandon Thomas, RHP (Mater Dei HS, 2025) | Washington:
“Thomas, from Mater Dei, had an electric outing for the Monarchs on their way to winning the Boras Classic South last week. In his start against a very good Huntington Beach Oilers program, Thomas went eight innings (the Monarchs won in extra innings over the Oilers) allowing just two runs in that span while striking out eight hitters to pitch Mater Dei into the finals against Corona. In addition, to his stellar work on the mound, Thomas put together an impressive week at the plate going 5-for-16 including a game-tying homer against La Mirada in the bottom of the seventh inning in the championship game win for the Monarchs.”
+ Jake Vanderzee, INF (El Dorado HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Vanderzee of El Dorado had an outstanding week for the Hawks as they went 3-1 in the National Classic. Vanderzee was 7-for-12 on the week including a grand slam and drove in six runs over the course of the four games. For the season Vanderzee is now hitting .404 (second highest on the Hawks) with four extra-base hits, nine RBIs and 12 runs scored in his junior campaign.”
– Les Lukach, California State Director
Colorado
+ Noah Mortenson, RHP/1B (Heritage HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“We have another seven-inning no-hitter this spring thanks to Mortenson's strong outing against Chatfield. The junior struckout nine batters and walked just two en route to a near perfect day against a 5A Colorado program. Mortenson is actively developing right now with a fastball in the mid- to upper-80s and quality pitchability – one to watch closely in 2024.”
+ Brody Geist, OF/SS (Standley Lake HS, 2024) | Indian Hills CC:
“Geist takes home Week Four's Player of the Week honors with phenomenal production at the plate. The senior went 7-for-8 with two home runs, two triples, a double, two singles, two stolen bases, and 11 RBIs across three games. We can also tell you that Geist hit for the cycle in his game against Alameda where he tossed three innings with two strikeouts as well. Geist is a quality all-around athlete and is committed to playing baseball at Indian Hills CC after this spring.”
– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Assistant Director
Florida
+ Rivers Kurland, LHP (Berkeley Prep HS, 2025) | Florida State:
“Kurland was outstanding in a start against Carrollwood Day last week. He tossed a complete-game no-hit shutout with 14 Ks, and the lone baserunner reached on an error.”
+ Andrew Tess, C (Calvary Christian HS, 2024) | Pitt:
“Tess reached base successfully in every at-bat in Week Seven, going 9-for-9, and he hit two home runs, a double, seven RBIs, and he scored 10 times.”
– Rocco Iervasi, Florida Managing Director
Georgia
+ Ben Fussell, MIF (Coffee County HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Fussell is Georgia's latest Player of the Week, following an immaculate 8-for-8 week, and half of those hits went for extra bases, generating six RBIs and five runs scored, and he also stole three bases.”
+ Blake Harrington, RHP (Callaway HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Harrington authored a complete game one-hitter last week, featuring 15 Ks and just one walk over seven innings, earning the state's Pitcher of the Week in the process.”
– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director
Idaho
+ Dillon Fine, 3B/RHP (Homedale HS, 2024) | Utah:
“Fine, a Utah recruit, was the core of the Trojans offense this past week as he picked up six hits for his team against one of the top 3A teams in the state, with three of those going for extra bases. The senior torched a homer against Marsh Valley and showed his plus speed by swiping three bases this past week. Along with a triple and a double, Fine showed his versatility at the plate with a sacrifice bunt. This week the Trojans take on Payette, Parma, and Kimberly as league play continues, and they're hoping Fine stays hot.”
+ Jackson Gardner, RHP/INF (Sugar Salem HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Gardner, who's uncommitted, has continued to show dominance on the mound through the season. In six innings of work, this week helped the Diggers' to a win 5-4 against Century. His plus slider has been his most dominant pitch that has shown crucial in collecting strikeouts this season. In 18.1 innings of work, Gardner has already racked up 37 strikeouts while allowing just five hits and his batting average against is a low .082, along with a 3-0 record. The Diggers get back to work this week as they start league play and take on Teton. Last week's line: 6 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 11 K.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager
Illinois
+ Austin Rathgeb, OF (Alton HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“The Alton Redbirds are off to a hot 12-4 start, and Rathgeb has been a driving force in their offense, helping them to go 4-1 this past week. He finished the five-game slate at a 9-for-13 clip, tallying two home runs, four doubles, eight RBIs, eight runs scored, five walks and a stolen base.”
+ Hayden Adamowicz, LHP (Schaumburg HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“The Saxons boast a 7-2 record, and they have received nothing short of dominance on the mound from Adamowicz. The freshman twirled a six-inning perfect game on Saturday to help Schaumburg to a 12-0 win over Vernon Hills, striking out 11 along the way.”
– Pete Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Asst. Director
Indiana
+ Blane Metz, RHP (Floyd Central HS, 2025) | Indiana:
“Metz had a dominant week on the mound, first collecting a win in relief against Jasper, coming out of the bullpen to strike out two in an inning of work. Metz toed the rubber against Columbus East on Saturday and was just one walk away from a perfect game. The Indiana commit picked up the win by pitching seven scoreless, hitless innings, striking out 18. In total, his final line for the week: 8 IP (2-0), 1 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 20 K.”
– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Lead Scout
Kansas
+ Grady Westphal, RHP (Blue Valley HS, 2025) | Texas A&M:
“Kansas' top-ranked pitcher in the '25 class has put together an impressive spring, with arguably his best outing coming last week. Against a top-25 club, the Texas A&M commit punched out 15 of the 20 out he recorded going 6.2 allowing just two hits and two walks and no runs.”
– Andy Urban, Central Region Supervisor
Louisiana
+ Corey Cousin, OF/RHP (Slidell HS, 2024) | Oklahoma:
“Cousin has been arguably the best two-way prospect in the entire state this season, and in Week Seven, he continued to perform at a high level. The Oklahoma recruit led the Tigers to a 6-0 victory last Monday against Ponchatoula, after tossing a complete-game shutout, giving up only two hits with four walks and 11 Ks. He then turned around on Saturday and tossed another complete-game one-hit shutout with three walks and 10 Ks to lead Slidell to a 2-0 win over Northshore. At the plate, he was just as impressive last week, as he went 8-for-12 (.667) with a homer, two doubles, seven RBIs, and five runs.”
+ Jace Duhon, RHP (South Beauregard HS, 2024) | Louisiana-Monroe:
“South Beauregard currently owns a 22-3 overall record and a big reason for the team's success has been their deep pitching staff that is led by Duhon. The University of Louisiana-Monroe recruit had arguably his best week overall last week in two separate starts. Last Monday, in the Week Seven 'Game of the Week' against Lutcher, he tossed a complete-game shutout and gave up only three hits, a walk, against eight Ks. Duhon then turned around on Saturday and tossed another complete-game shutout against Pine Prairie, giving up no runs on three hits, two walks, with another six Ks, bringing his total up to two wins on the week and 14 strikeouts.”
– Alex Armand, Louisiana Scouting Director
Mississippi
+ Wes Pritchard, LHP (Lamar School HS, 2024) | East Central CC:
“Pritchard threw a dominant complete game in Week Eight, en route to Mississippi's POTW honor. He K'd 16 and allowed just two hits in the start, and so far this season, he's punched out 98 batters in 48 innings with a 1.60 ERA.”
+ Aiden Swales, C (Pisgah HS, 2024) | Hinds CC:
“Swales went 7-for-8 last week for Pisgah and he drove in eight runs with the help of two homers, and he also scored five times himself.”
– Matt Miller, Mississippi State Director
Nebraska
+ Finn Hochstein, RHP/INF (Seward HS, 2024) | Hutchinson CC:
“The Hutchinson commit diced in his no-decision against Platteview, striking out 15 and working a perfect game through seven.”
+ Tyson Lewis, SS/OF (Millard West HS, 2024) | Arkansas:
“The Super 60 alum went 10-for-16 on the week with three extra-base hits (two doubles and a home run), scored eight, and swiped another six bags.”
– Pascal Paul, Nebraska Scouting DIrector
Nevada
+ Landon Pahang, SS (Spanish Springs HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“The shortstop out of Spanish Springs swung the bat at a high-level this past week and showed the ability to drive the ball for extra-bases and was driving in runs and coming around to score at a high-clip. The big moment came against Damonte Ranch as Pahang blasted a walk-off home run, his second homer of the week, to secure an 11-1 run-rule victory. The No. 21-ranked prospect in Nevada's 2026 class went 9-for-16 on the week with two home runs, two doubles, eight RBIs and nine runs scored. Pahang will be a fun watch in the Spanish Springs program for the next several years as he's still just a sophomore.”
+ Dillon Victoravich, RHP (Coronado HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Victoravich, uncommitted, had swing-and-miss stuff working this past week as he took the mound in an out-of-state matchup against Columbia River, out of Washington. The Coronado right-hander nearly went the distance, working 6.2 innings and racked up 13 punch-outs, allowing just two runs (none earned) on four hits and three walks as the Cougars won 3-2. Victoravich has been stellar on the mound so far this year, sporting a 2.50 ERA and this was his second straight double-digit strikeout performance.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager
North Carolina
+ Gavin Maines, LHP (Forbush HS, 2024) | Western Carolina:
“Tossed a perfect game in the Ripken Experience Spring Break Event in Myrtle Beach. He worked seven innings without allowing a baserunner and he punched out 14. The past two weeks, he has thrown a no-hitter and perfect game, firing 13 innings without issuing a walk, and striking out 30, maintaining a 75% strike rate throughout.”
– Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director
+ Will Hicks, INF (Cleveland HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“A big week at the plate helped Hicks lead the Cleveland Rams to the Johnston County Easter Invitational Championship. Hicks went 7-for-14, hitting .714 with five home runs, a double, 11 RBIs, 10 runs, and drawing five walks. Hicks was named the Johnston County Easter Invitational MVP for his efforts.”
– Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director
Ohio
+ Brady Sasse, RHP (North Royalton HS, 2024) | Toledo:
“The Toledo commit has been dominant so far in the early part of the season. This past week, the righty was as close as someone could be to getting a perfect game, but a dropped third strike allowed for a baserunner. On the day, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound righty had 14 Ks. So far this season, the North Royalton ace is 2-0, allowing just one run and two hits while striking out 19.”
– Dylan Hefflinger, Ohio Editor-in-Chief, Scout
Oklahoma
+ Brex Caldwell, RHP (Panama HS, 2024) | Oklahoma State:
“Caldwell took home the state honors after a monster week on both sides of the ball. The OSU commit finished the week 6-for-7 with three homers and double and also drawing seven walks along the way. Caldwell would eventually either hit safely or walk in 13 out of his 14 trips to the plate this week. Now that type of performance is usually enough to take home the honors, Caldwell also racked up 13 strikeouts in 6.2 innings while allowing only one earned run in the outing.”
– Scott Hood, Oklahoma Scouting Director
Tennessee
+ Phinn Waters, LHP (Briarcrest Christian HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Waters has been steadily making consistent noise on the mound this season where he has been racking up Ks at a rate of nearly two per inning, while also showing the ability to command the strike zone with multiple pitches. He collected a region win this past week going six innings, allowing no hits and he K'd all 18 batters he faced. He has some serious talent from the left-side and we are excited about seeing him more over the spring and summer months.”
– Hunter Martin, Tennessee State Director
Texas
+ Tristan Ciechanowicz, 3B/SS (Dripping Springs HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“I was in attendance for Ciechanowicz's big game last week. In a big district game at Westlake, the Junior had two home runs and a double, ending the game with seven runs batted in and 10 total bases, and most importantly, a Dripping Springs win. One of the home runs was a grand slam to take the wind out of the sails of a comeback by Westlake. Big week for Ciechanowicz as the Tigers sweep the Chaps. Another big series this week for Drip as they take on Lake Travis.”
+ Aidan Ripley, LHP/1B (Richardson Pearce HS, 2024) | McLennan CC:
“Ripley has been on a roll in his senior season, this week was no different. The McLennan recruit tossed a no-hitter with nine strikeouts against rivals Richardson. Ripley now has 38.2 IP on the season with 60 Ks, 13 walks, and he has a 1.62 ERA and a .905 WHIP."
– Brandon Gowins, Texas Scouting Director
Utah
+ Miles Layton, RHP (Brighton HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“The former Future Gamer took the mound against East High and he was perfect in the five-inning, complete-game shutout. Layton didn't surrender a single baserunner and picked up eight strikeouts. The win extended Brighton's record to 5-2 and they've since reeled off four more wins as they're undefeated in 5A Region 6 (9-2 overall).”
+ Holden Potter, RHP/INF (Bear River HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Potter took the mound for Bear River in a matchup against Grantsville and was dominant in a seven-inning, complete shutout for an 8-0 victory. Potter surrendered just one hit, no walks and struck out 10. Through four games on the mound this year, the right-hander boasts a 0.00 ERA and has 31 strikeouts to just five walks over 26 innings.
+ Andrew Lyon, RHP/INF (Snow Canyon HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Lyon got the start on Friday against Crimson Cliffs and worked six innings allowing just one run on two hits, four walks and 11 strikeouts. Snow Canyon, Utah's second-ranked team, would go on to win this one 8-1, extending their record to 14-3 at the time.”
+ Andy Decker, LHP/OF (Mountain Ridge HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“The left-hander got the ball in a matchup against Kearns and nearly perfect in the five-inning, complete-game shutout. Decker didn't surrender a hit and allowed just one walk while racking up 13 strikeouts. The uncommitted senior got all of his outs, except two, via the strikeout. Decker was as dominant as they come as Mountain Ridge rolls on, winners of five straight after Kearns' performance.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager
Wisconsin
+ Cutler Schmidt, RHP/UTL (West Bend East HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“In his lone start of this weather-impacted spring, Schmidt was flat-out dominant in a win over New Holstein last Friday. Schmidt went the distance in that run-rule victory, striking out 10 batters in his six innings of work. He allowed just one hit and failed to allow a free base, on just 74 pitches. It is worth mentioning that he has been a threat with the bat, too. He tallied eight hits in his 14 at-bats in the first two weeks of the season, six of those going for extra-bases, and he drove in six RBIs while also scoring 10 times.
Schmidt has continued his strong start to the season early on into Week Three, as he is coming off another six-inning performance against Grafton on Monday, where he added five more strikeouts to his season total for 5-0 West Bend East.”
+ Cal Moreau, SS/RHP (Monona Grove HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Moreau is one of the top prospects in the state’s 2026 class, where he is currently ranked No. 3 overall. During his first two weeks of spring action, he has certainly been playing like it, helping lead Monona Grove, our No. 5-ranked squad on the Preseason Power 25, to a 3-1 record in that span.
After a 1-for-3 performance to kick off the week, Moreau shined in Monona Grove’s second game, going 4-for-4 at the plate, one of those hits being a solo home run. His best performance of the week came against Prep Baseball Tennessee’s then-ranked No. 3 team Collierville. In that one, Moreau got the scoring started for the Silver Eagles as he blasted his second solo shot of the weekend to give them a early 1-0 lead. After both team's offense continued to produce, it was eventually knotted up at four heading into the bottom of the seventh. That was until Moreau led off the inning with his third home run of the weekend which lifted Monona Grove to the win in walk-off fashion. He also earned the win on the mound in that game, as he limited a potent Collierville offense to just two runs on four hits, while also tallying five punch outs.
To sum up Moreau’s stellar first two weeks to the spring, he batted to a .714 average and a slugging percentage of 1.500 across 11 at-bats. He drove in four RBIs during that span, while also scoring five runs, too, proving to be a force atop Monona Grove’s lineup.”
– Isaiah Glidden, Wisconsin Area Scout, Content Manager