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National Player of the Week: 4/22 to 4/28

May 2, 2024
By Andy Sroka
Managing Editor, Scouting

 

Today, we’re announcing our ninth National Player of the Week of the 2024 campaign. This was a particularly competitive week for the POTW honor. Ultimately, we chose a senior southpaw who’s pitching arguably as well as anyone else in the country – and he hasn’t allowed a hit since March 19.

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 22-28 into account when determining these awards.

🏆 NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Gavin Maines LHP / Forbush, NC / 2024

“Maines continued his hitless streak, going another 6.1 innings without giving one up. In the outing, he punched 16 and he has now gone 27.1 consecutive innings without giving up a hit, and he has compiled a 8-0 record on the year, throwing 44.2 innings and striking out 101 hitters.”

– Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-Atlantic Director of Scouting

STATE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

California

+ Maverek Russell, 1B (La Mirada HS, 2025) | UCLA:
“Russell contributed a big week for La Mirada in their three-game sweep of Gahr. Russell for the week collected seven hits in nine at-bats, two went for doubles and one was a homer, which helped him score six times and drive in four runs himself. He also walked twice, which meant he reached safely in nine of his 11 plate appearances last week.”

+ Eric Zdunek, OF (Maranatha HS, 2026) | TCU:
“The future Horned Frog hit .467 over a four-game week, including ones against West Ranch HS and Valencia HS. He did not strike out while collecting seven hits with two doubles in the four games, and for good measure he also drove in five runs for Maranatha.”

+ Jax Gimenez, MIF (Whitney HS, 2024) | Oregon:
“The Oregon Duck commit from Whitney HS had an outstanding week that culminated with him setting the Whitney record for career hits when he blasted a home run against Vacaville HS, and he now sits at 117 hits for his career. For the week he went 7-for-13, and he picked up that homer and a double along the way, with three RBIs, six runs, and he walked twice and stole six bases. It was another impressive week for Gimenez.”

(Area Code Games; 8/7/23)

– Les Lukach, California State Director

Colorado

+ Fabian Gaeta, LHP/OF (Prairie View HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Gaeta chucked a 16 strikeout no-hitter against rival Brighton HS during Week Seven to earn his Pitcher of the Week award. We can also tell you that Gaeta carried a perfect game into the seventh inning before walking one batter, and then ending the game with a strikeout. The Future Games alumni is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the state thanks to plenty of deception from the left side, and a fastball in the mid- to upper-80s. Gaeta has now registered 66 strikeouts across 38 innings to go with his .135 opponent batting average allowed and just six walks in 2024.”

(Future Games; 7/26/23)

+ Caden Absher, SS/2B (Douglas County HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Absher flashed some impressive power in Week Seven thanks to four extra-base hits, which included two doubles and a two-home run game. The uncommitted junior hit .455 on the week (5-for-11) and he now has his season line up to a .378 average with five home runs, and a 1.325 OPS across 54 plate appearances at the 5A level. Absher is a two-sport athlete (football) who is actively developing on the baseball field, and is well worth a follow.”

(2/25/24)

– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Staff

Florida

+ Ethan Mattison, LHP (Park Vista HS, 2024) | Florida Gulf Coast:
“Mattison shined in his most recent start against Wellington HS. The southpaw went seven innings of no-hit ball. He struck out 15 while allowing no runs. The only batters to reach base were on two walks.”

+ Austin Hendrix, OF (Arnold HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Hendrix was a big part of Arnold's lineup this past week with four hits in nine at-bats, two of which were home runs, and he helped the offense by providing seven RBIs.”

– Rocco Iervasi Jr., Florida Managing Director

Idaho

+ Ian Lenius, LHP (Middleton HS, 2025) | Utah:
“Lenius, a Utah commit, has really found his groove late in the season. Tuesday he took the bump facing one of the top teams in the state – the hype did not phase him. The southpaw ran it up to 91 mph, sitting 88-90, for seven innings only allowing one hit, one walk, and no runs.

Lenius has managed to remain undefeated going 5-0 with 31.1 innings pitched holding a 0.45 ERA, and he has only allowed eight hits with 53 strikeouts this year. As the regular season comes to a close, Lenius is poised to help lead the Vikings deep into the postseason.”

(2/11/24)

+ Tommy Woodcock, C (Tommy Woodcock HS, 2024) | South Mountain CC:
“Woodcock, a South Mountain CC recruit, was a run-producing machine at the plate this past week, contributing 12 runs for the Diggers this week. Woodcock has put together a strong senior campaign this season. This week was a showing of his athleticism at the plate, along with his ability to hit for extra-base hits.

The senior catcher has a .435 batting average in 46 at-bats, seven doubles, and three home runs while only striking out five times this season. The Diggers have completed their regular season 16-4 while remaining undefeated in conference play, they are headed to postseason play as the winners of the 3A Mountain Rivers Conference.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager

Illinois

+ Conor Essenburg, LHP (Lincoln-Way West HS, 2025) | Kansas State:
“In a top-10 Power 25 matchup, Essenburg faced a potent Downers Grove North lineup and he was utterly dominant, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning before surrendering a weak hit that dropped just in front of the left fielder, ending his bid. He was in control the entire game, finishing with a line of 6.2 innings pitched, the lone hit allowed, three walks, and 13 strikeouts.”

(4/24/24)

+ Jaden Fauske, UTL (Nazareth Academy HS, 2025) | Louisville:
“This past week was one to remember for Fauske, as he helped the Roadrunners to another perfect week with four wins, going 9-for-12 with two home runs, a triple, two doubles, seven RBIs, five runs scored, three walks and three stolen bases.”

(4/11/24)

– Pete Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Asst.Director

Indiana

+ Alex Schuler, SS (Borden HS, 2024) | IU-Southeast:
“Schuler is the state's home run leader (6) and he continued to swing a hot bat during this past week. The IU-Southeast recruit went 9-for-15 (.600) on the week, totaling four doubles, two home runs, and 10 RBIs. Schuler was our 1A Preseason All-State shortstop, and he has helped Borden to the No. 4 spot on our 1A mid-season rankings.”

(9/15/23)

– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Lead Scout

Kansas

+ Reed Hackleman, C (Mulvane HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“The 4A utility player went 12-for-15 across four games last week for an eye-popping .800 average. He also tallied six RBIs, scored nine runs, and barreled four doubles. He is batting .518 on the year with 29 hits and 24 RBIs on the year.”

(7/18/23)

– Andy Urban, Central Region Supervisor

Kentucky

+ Jashon Lewis, OF (Harrison County HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Lewis put on an offensive display in leading the Thorobreds to a 4-0 record last week. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound, left-handed hitter went 9-for-13 with four doubles, four home runs, and 13 RBIs in earning this week’s honor. The athletic 6.77 runner has been producing all season, hitting .424 with six doubles, four triples, five home runs and 24 RBIs.”

(6/13/23)

– Chris Fuller, Kentucky Executive Director

Louisiana

+ Bradyn Cupit, LHP (West Monroe HS, 2026) | LSU:
“The LSU recruit was stellar once again for the Rebels last week in their second-round playoff series against Chalmette. In Game One against the Owls, Cupit tossed a complete game no-hitter (6 IP) with 11 Ks to move his season record to 7-0 with a 1.20 ERA.”

(2/22/24)

– Alex Armand, Louisiana State Director

Minnesota

+ Landon Sanderson, RHP/3B (Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Sanderson faced 25 batters and struck out 20 of them on the way to the freshman's first no-hitter. The 2023 Junior Future Game participant has now struck out 43 in 18 innings pitched on the year.”

(3/16/24)

+ Brayden Skindelien, SS (New London Spicer HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“The New London Spicer middle infielder finished the week 9-for-10 with a pair of doubles, six runs scored, and five stolen bases. He also recorded the save in Thursday's contest.

Skindelien is 14-for-23 (.608) on the year and has swiped 11 bases in seven games.”

(3/16/24)

– Andy Judkins, Minnesota State Director

Nevada

+ Brock Barlow, SS (Southeast Career & Tech HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“The uncommitted infielder was swinging the bat at a high level this past week in SECTA's two games against Legacy as he blasted a home run in both games. He drove in over 25 percent of the team's runs this past week as he went 7-for-10 with two homers, a double, seven RBIs and four runs scored. SECTA dropped the first matchup 8-7 but came out strong in Game Two as they rebounded with a 17-7 win.

With another quality offensive week from Barlow, he's now batting .442 on the season with five home runs, five doubles and 29 RBIs.”

(10/15/23)

+ Mack Edwards, 1B/LHP (Reno HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Edwards, a junior, worked 6.2 strong innings on Saturday against Douglas as he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and helped Reno clinch the top seed. The UCLA commit racked up 11 punch-outs while walking just one, also allowing one run and three hits.

Edwards led the Huskies to their third won of the week as they also won games against Carson and Reed. The Reno pitching staff allowed just three runs across the three games while the offense put up 18.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager

New York

+ Kyle DeGroat, RHP (Wallkill HS, 2024) | Texas:
“DeGroat has been dominant on the mound, helping his team get off to a hot start this season at 10-0. This week he went five innings giving up one hit, one walk and striking out all 15 of his recorded outs. On the season he has an impressive stat line: 18.2 IP, 4 H, 6 BB, 46 K. ”

(Super 60; 2/4/24)

– Joe Walentin, New York Scouting Director

North Carolina

+ Josh Hammond, SS/RHP (Wesleyan Christian Academy HS, 2025) | Wake Forest:
“The No. 1-ranked team in the Prep Baseball of North Carolina Power 25, Wesleyan Christian Academy entered last week looking to build momentum as they get ready to make a run at a state title. Playing solid competition, including another Power 25 team, WCA went 4-0. The offense had a big week and was paced by Josh Hammond (2025; Wake Forest commit).

Hammond hit .667 on the week, going 8-for-12 in the four games. He slugged 1.583 with three home runs and two doubles and he added seven runs and eight RBIs, accounting for 15 total runs in the four games.”

(3/20/24)

– Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-Atlantic Director of Scouting

Ohio

+ Vinny Gallaher, RHP/SS (Oregon Clay HS, 2024) | Eastern Michigan:
“A 6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way with a true five-pitch mix on the mound. He's got confidentce in all five, with each moving in every direction. The fastball shows arm-side run. The cutter cuts away from righties. The slider shows late, sharp break. The curveball showed 12/6 break and keeps hitters off balance. The changeup is another pitch with arm-side run. High IQ arm. He earned 'Player of the Week' for finishing his start with this line: 9 IP, 0 H, 10 K, 1 BB; 69 of 99 pitches thrown for strikes.”

– Dylan Hefflinger, Ohio Editor-in-Chief, Advanced Scout

Tennessee

+ Tommy Baker, OF (South Gibson County HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Baker continues his strong play, while steadily trending upwards. For the week, he went 11-for-20 (.550 AVG) with four doubles, two homers and nine RBIs. He would also have three walks, good for a .625 OBP and he slugged 1.100 on the week.”

(2/10/24)

+ Carson Parrott, RHP/C (Livingston Academy HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Parrott is new to the weekly Diamond Notes, and he impressed in his 13 innings of work. On Monday, Parrott threw a complete-game shutout, allowing only two hits with 12 strikeouts against Upperman, handing the Bees their only district loss of the season. On Saturday, Parrott struck out 14 against Clinton County HS (KY) to pick up his second win of the week without allowing an earned run. For the week, he racked up an uber impressive line with 26 Ks and a 0.00 ERA on five hits, three walks, and that shutout.”

– Hunter Martin, Tennessee State Director

Texas

+ Cade Arrambide, C (Tomball HS, 2024) | LSU:
“Arrambide capped off his final week of his high school regular season career with a bang. He went yard twice in the same game, with one of the blasts being a grand slam. He ended up with seven RBIs in that game as the Cougars won 13-1. Arrambide has some serious pop at the plate and pairs it with a quality arm behind the dish.”

(4/23/24)

+ Cooper Harris, RHP (Flower Mound HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“The sophomore righty tossed a no-hitter for the Jags against Hebron. The fastball was 87-91 mph, with late sink, getting plenty of ground balls along the way. Harris struck out nine and walked two, ultimately leading Flower Mound to the win as they head into playoffs.”

(4/26/24)

– Brandon Gowins, Texas Scouting Director

Utah

+ Holden Potter, RHP/SS (Bear River HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“The uncommitted 2025 continues to impress on the mound as he turned in his second straight six innings one-hitter. On Wednesday, Potter worked six scoreless innings against Logan, allowing just one hit, no walks and struck out 12.

Potter now has 57 strikeouts to just 12 walks through 42 innings. Bear River picked up a pair of wins on the week against Logan and are now 18-6 on the season.”

+ Josh Mawhinney, RHP (Brighton HS, 2025) | Utah Valley:
“Mawhinney took the mound on Wednesday against West HS and turned in his best performance of the season. In the Bengals 10-0 win, the Utah Valley commit worked five innings allowing no runs, no hits and one walk while striking out nine.

In Mawhinney's last nine innings, he's allowed just one hit as he continues to dominate Region 6 play. Brighton is now 17-2 on the season with just six games remaining in the season.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager

Wisconsin

+ Robert Barrera, LHP (Union Grove HS, 2024) | Illinois-Chicago:
“Last Thursday, Barrera toed the rubber in a Southern Lakes Conference bout against Wilmot and he was spectacular. In his seven-inning complete game gem, every out that Barrera recorded was a strikeout, good for a whopping 21 Ks on the night. He only allowed two hits, no walks, en route to a quality 5-0 win for the Broncos.

It is easy to see why the UIC recruit has been so dominant this season as he features a fastball that we have seen up to 89 mph in our looks, with feel for a tight slider and a deceptive changeup, too. It seems like Barrera is doing all he can so far to help a talented Broncos squad that has been getting hot over the past couple weeks, and he is just one of the handful of front-line arms they currently possess.”

+ Owen Jenkins, OF/LHP (Kaukauna HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“This past week Kaukauna enjoyed a quality 3-1 week, only falling to a talented Kimberly squad, and they otherwise took down a couple of competitive teams along the way. Jenkins was a big reason for their success last week, highlighted by some late-game heroics and quality pitching, too.

Jenkins exploded in the Ghosts second game of the week against conference foe Appleton East. In that matchup, Jenkins blasted a grand slam that broke the scoreless tie and was ultimately enough to take down the Patriots. He also notched the win on the mound in the win, allowing just one run on two hits while also striking out 12 in his complete-game efforts. Friday, he helped Kaukauna take down a quality Bay Port team as he collected two more hits and also drove in a clutch run in the win. To cap off his stellar week, he smacked his second home run in that time against a hot West Bend East squad, while going 3-for-5 at the plate and he finished with three RBIs.

To summarize his week, Jenkins collected eight hits in 14 at-bats across three games this week for Kaukauna, two of those hits being home runs and he also earned a win on the mound.”

(3/16/24)

– Isaiah Glidden, Wisconsin Content Manager

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