Follow @PBRMaryland
Facebook & Instagram

With the 2019 Maryland High School baseball season just underway and games right around the corner, we begin to close out our complete preseason coverage with a look at every conference throughout that state. We will break down each conference with a preview of teams expected to contend as well as key players from across the league that you won't want to miss play. 

Note: A preseason questionnaire was sent out to all Maryland high school baseball coaches in Mid-January to gain pertinent information for this piece but not all forms were completed and returned. Below is a compilation of information received as well as thoughts from our staff at PBR Maryland.

 

Players to Watch

Kevin Allison (Gaithersburg)
Jed Alterman (Bethesda-CC)
Sam Batis (Clarksburg)
Jake Becker (Sherwood)
Michael Bouma (Sherwood)
Harrison Cance (Wootton)
Justin Carboni (Whitman)
Noah Cerrud Osmer (Walter Johnson)
Luke Cheng (Sherwood)
Bryan DeCarlo (Gaithersburg)
Tyler DeMartino (Whitman) 
Brendan Hughes (Bethesda-CC) 
Mark Kline (Damascus)
Anthony Lacola (Walter Johnson)
Mason Levin (Whitman)
Ryan Mariani (Wootton)
Nick Marley (Damascus)
Matt McTighe (Rockville)f
Ben Nardi (Churchill)  
Stevie Orsini (Poolesville)
Lucas Ribaudo (Rockville)
Jack Ryan (Whitman)
James Springer (Bethesda-CC)
Luke Trythall (Poolesville)
Ben Vok (Sherwood)
JP Yore (Sherwood)
Dev Zoks (Wootton)

Montgomery Co. 4A West

Teams
Clarksburg
Gaithersburg
Northwest
Quince Orchard
Richard Montgomery
Wootton  

Montgomery Co. 4A South

Teams
Bethesda-CC
Churchill
Einstein
Kennedy
Walter Johnson
Wheaton
Whitman

Montgomery Co. 4A North  

Teams
Blair
Northwood
Paint Branch
Sherwood
Springbrook

Montgomery Co. 3A/2A

Teams
Blake
Damascus
Magruder
Poolesville
Rockville
Seneca Valley
Watkins Mill

2019 Season Outlook

Damascus has traditionally contended for a county title in the 3A/2A division and though they have some key pieces that they are going to have to replace, the Hornets look like they could again challenge. Offensively they will be led by returners SS Nick Marley and C Mark Kline, who will be the staples in the offense yet again this season. On the mound they bring back juniors Aidan Rannals and Daniel Nasoff. Keep an eye on new faces Isiah Bell, and Cole Leslie to be new faces that could make a big impact in their first year on varsity as well as freshman Bryce Curry and sophomore Maverick Durant, if they end up on varsity.

Gaithersburg has a nice crew of young talent this year that should build off a solid 12-9 season in '18. Although it will be tough to replace the loss of C Tyler Woodward, the Trojans return almost half of their starting lineup in 2021's Doug Marsoe and Noah Tabaie, along with Bryan DeCarlo, Kevin Allison and Danny Feliciano.  DeCarlo, Marsoe, and Allison all hit over .300 last spring. On the mound, Justin McDermott, Ryan Kelly, and Allison return with experience to the pitching staff and keep an eye out for new face Wil Wikner who could make an impact for the Trojans. Look for the Trojans to compete in the top half of the 4A West.

Whitman have an interesting combination of talent, youth, and experience back this spring and look like they should contend for a title in the 4A South Division. Leading the offensive attack will be their two talented seniors Tyler DeMartino (West Virginia), Jack Ryan (UMBC) and Justin Carboni (Penn). They will form one of the toughest lineups in the state that will also include Howie Fishman, Bennett Solomon, Zack Werkman, Sam Mermelstein, and Matt Ryan. On the mound the Vikings should be led by 2020 RHP Mason Levin and show depth with Solomon, Werkman, and Austen Fourkas who all should get significant innings. Keep an eye out for transfer Harry Kaplan who has transferred to Whitman for his senior season. The Vikings should contend for a 4A South Title and potentially one of the top teams in Montgomery County.

Kennedy will be looking to build off their 2018 season after going 3-14. They do have a nice core of returners coming back in seniors Nick DeGirolamo and Astrumsg Pena along with junior Danny Villalobos and 2021 Andy Santana. Kennedy also have some new faces including senior transfer Aivis Natividad. 2022's Brain Eiskant and Jerome Carey both should contribute as freshmen as well this season.  Look for the Cavaliers to improve in 2019.

Rockville should again contend in the 3A/2A division as well as one of the top in the county. Though they did have some key losses, they do return OF Matt McTighe (Mount St. Mary's) coming off an impressive .431 season with 13 extra base hits. Manoli Athanasakis also returns and will be a key piece as the catcher for the Rams. Lucas Ribaudo and Colin Gabele also add strong depth to the offense. Ribaudo should build off an solid freshmen season for the Rams in the middle infield. One the mound look for McTighe to anchor the pitching staff this season. Rockville have some nice young arms in 2021 Donovan Shekhdar, 2021 Lucas Ribaudo, and 2020 Zach Crim who will also play a nce role on the team. Keep an eye on new faces Dylan Cossette, Sammy Hung, and Joey Leon.

Clarksburg look like they should build off a promising 2018 campaign. Consistency will be key and also the ability improve when on the road. They have a lot of players returning, 8 of 9 starters from last year including Connor Devine, Hunter Powell, and Andrew Abrams , and also have some quality arms on the pitching staff. 2021 RHP Sam Batis will be a player to watch this spring. If they can improve on their road record from last year, this could be a 15 win team challenging in the 4A West.

Poolesville had a tougher 2018 season after taking home the state championship in 2017. It will be tough to replace their two headed monster of Brady Pearre and Ryan Haddaway, who were large contributors on the team. They do have some real nice pieces on the team returning who could play a big role in 2019. Keep an eye on 2020 Luke Trythall who will be a big piece to the team this spring as a two way talent. Stevie Orsini is a very interesting outfield prospect and offensive talent as well who should play a big roll again this spring as well as Max Fisher and Josh Widenhofer. All four are two way talents and will play big roles as Poolesville challenges to take the 3A/2A division.

Wootton looks like they should again be the top team in the 4A West Division, and hope that this year will lead to a longer run in the state tournament. Leading the return will be their talented SS/RHP Ryan Mariani who hit .407 last season and was limited on the mound due to injury and will be a big contributor this season and help the staff. Harrison Cance played a big role last season and it looks like he should build off his very solid season in 2018 after hitting .340 and posting a 2.5 ERA in 42 innings last season. Dev Zoks is also a year older and should also build off a solid season in 2018 to be another key arm that makes for a very interesting pitching staff this season for the Patriots.

Another year, another boatload of talent in Olney at Sherwood where the Warriors should take the North division again and contend for a county title. Back and leading the way offensively is their dangerous bat, 2019 Michael Bouma (Maryland) who will anchor the heart of the lineup. Also returning is one of the top middle infield combos in the state in 2020 Luke Cheng (Illinois State) and 2021 Jake Becker, who is coming off a very impressive season as a freshmen and should do it again in 2019. JP Yore (Susquhanna) and Ben Vok (Frostburg St.) are also key returners back to lead the offense. On the mound Vok will anchor the staff, with a whole slew of seniors who will also be key arms again in Trevor McCormick, Bradshaw Steeley, Riley McMenamin, and Sam Ewing. Brady Andrew and Cheng are the juniors on the staff which makes for a very deep pitching staff in general for the Warriors.

Walter Johnson are looking to build off a .500 season in 2018. Offensively they will be paced by one of the more dangerous hitters in the conference in 2019 Noah Cerrud-Osmer (Arcadia) as well as fellow senior Anthony Lacola. On the mound, they have a young staff who all saw time last seaosn and will see their role expand in 2019. 2021 Dean Wandell, 2020 Will Cohen, and 2021 Patrick Kemp all look to see plenty of innings on the bump this spring. The Wildcats look like they should be in the top half of the North division.

Bethesda-Chevy Chase look like they will again compete for the North Championship again this season, even with the loss of some key pieces from 2018. Back again and will be key cogs to the offense will be Joe Eisenberg, Nils Townsend, and Jed Alterman. Alterman should be an anchor in the middle of the lineup. On the mound, the Barons will have one of the better 1-2 combos around in seniors James Springer and Brendan Hughes so every game they start will give them a chance to win. Keep an eye on Charlie Braverman and Beck Urofsky to see significant time this season.

 

MORE MARYLAND HIGH SCHOOL CONFERENCE PREVIEWS