Prep Baseball Report

2023 MPSSAA 3A Season Preview


PBR Staff
MD/DE Coverage

ewfefe

Follow @PBRMaryland
Facebook & Instagram

Our 2023 Season Previews continues today with our preview of the MPSSAA 3A in Maryland. We will dive into key players and players to watch, as well as make our predictions on who we believe will win each region. 

MPSSAA 4A Season Preview
MIAA "A" Preseason All-Conference Team
MIAA "A" Conference Preview Part 1
MIAA "A" Conference Preview Part 2
WCAC Preview
IAC Preview

 

Lets take a look into the 3A…

2022 Recap


The 3A State Championship saw a matchup between a storied program in Chesapeake-AA facing off against a Towson Generals team who was extremely fun to watch all season long. The Cougars gave the ball to Senior leader and Morehead State commit Nicholas Karls who was just about as dominant as you can get. Karls worked 6.2 IP, giving up just four hits and 0 earned runs, leading to a 5-1 victory for Chesapeake-AA, securing the 3A State Title.  

The 3A Classification continues to produce deep and rich talent spread across the state, and nothing is different in 2023. There are favorites to come out of each region (which we will dive into below), however the parity and pure competitiveness that churns out of the 3A is exciting year after year. Can Chesapeake-AA repeat as State Champs? Will Stephen Decatur out of the Bayside Conference finally get over the hump and make a deep run in 2023? Will a "darkhorse" make an intriguing run towards the State Championship this year? Only time will tell, however we make our preseason picks below. 

2022 Preview

Players to Watch

Player High School Year Commitment
Kody Adkins Chopticon 2025
Cadeyrn Ahearn Centennial 2024 Lehigh
Quinn Ahearn Centennial 2023 Pennsylvania
Aziz Bishop Towson 2024  
Noah Bowerman Chesapeake-AA 2023  
Joshua Boyd Chesapeake-AA 2023 Chesapeake College
Michael Brogno Jr Mount Hebron 2024  
Ryan Brown Great Mills 2024  
Ryan Buecker Atholton 2023 McDaniel
Alex Craig Crofton 2023 Salisbury
Gus Croll Stephen Decatur 2023 Christopher Newport
Zach Davidson Crofton 2025
Tristan Davis Chopticon 2023  
Quinn Dean Reservoir 2023 McDaniel
Clayton Dorsey Westminster 2024
Colton Eyster Chopticon 2024  
Austin Ferreira Huntingtown 2023 St. Mary's College of Maryland
Riley Finkelston River Hill 2023 Cedarville
Cory Fisher James M. Bennett 2025  
Asher Friedman Rockville 2024  
Craig Gantt Great Mills 2023  
Adam Gardner Stephen Decatur 2023 Randolph-Macon
Zach Gaynor Reservoir 2023 Chestnut Hill
Avery Grain Magruder 2025  
Hudson Green Magruder 2024  
Alexander Halbert Atholton 2023 Lycoming
Aiden Hankins Bel Air 2023 Salisbury
Jeremiah Harrington Northern 2023
Marquise Harris Towson 2025  
Logan Hastings Huntingtown 2024
Jacob Hnath Thomas Johnson 2024  
Jackson Huck Towson 2024  
Chase Kamerman Marriotts Ridge 2024  
Peter Keating Wilde Lake 2023 Anne Arundel CC
Alexander Kidd James M. Bennett 2023
Ethan King Northern 2024  
Owen Knerr Stephen Decatur 2023 Goldey-Beacom
AJ Kolb Stephen Decatur 2024  
Demetre Koutras River Hill 2023 Penn State-Harrisburg
Darin Kuskie Damascus 2023 USC Upstate
Isaiah Licorish South Hagerstown 2024 Coppin State
Jack Lloyd Reservoir 2023 Wilson
Harry MacGillis City 2023
Kurtis Mackenzie Atholton 2023 McDaniel
Brady McGonigal Wilde Lake 2023
Ryan McLaughlin Stephen Decatur 2023 Delaware
Nick Miller Oakdale 2024  
Bryce Mitchell Damascus 2024  
Will Mollman Westminster 2025
Ryan Niedzialkowski CM Wright 2023 York
Eje Okojie River Hill 2023  
Daniel Orr Thomas Johnson 2024 UMBC
Henry Ortiz North Hagerstown 2024  
Cole Parsons Chesapeake-AA 2024
Terrion Pettus Magruder 2025
Brandon Poole Northern 2023 UMES
Kydese Queen St. Charles 2023 Norfolk State
Davey Reynolds Chopticon 2023  
Griffin Roussell Marriotts Ridge 2023 Allegany College
Cole Saxon Bel Air 2023  
Dylan Shoemaker North Hagerstown 2023  
Hunter St Denis Magruder 2024  
Mac Stiffler North Hagerstown 2024 West Virginia
JP Tennant Long Reach 2023 CCBC Catonsville
Nicholas Torres Damascus 2024  
Carter Watson Centennial 2023 Randolph-Macon
Aidan West Long Reach 2025 North Carolina State
Britton Wildasin Oakdale 2024  
Connor Wilkerson Huntingtown 2023 Stevenson
Cole Williams CM Wright 2023  
Henry Zatkowski River Hill 2024 Duke


Region Breakdown

3A West

Region I Region II
Frederick Damascus
Linganore Kennedy
Oakdale Magruder
Thomas Johnson Rockville
Tuscarora Springbrook
North Hagerstown Watkins Mill
South Hagerstown  

Notes

We believe Thomas Johnson is the team to beat in this region, as a deep run into the State Semi's a year ago bodes well for another year under the belt of a still fairly young roster. Junior standouts Jacob Hnath and Danny Orr (UMBC) look to lead the Patriots this year, with Senior Luke Chappell and an abundance of Sophomore talent ready to make an impact. North Hagerstown is extremely intriguing and may give Thomas Johnson the biggest test, with a front end rotation in Mac Stiffler (West Virginia) and Henry Ortiz leading the charge. South Hagerstown also has an ace in Isaiah Licorish (Coppin State) who will compete and matchup with any lineup in this region. Look for Oakdale to stay competitive throughout the region, led by Junior righty Britton Wildasin and catcher Nick Miller. Although North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown and Oakdale has pitching to matchup with Thomas Johnson, look for the Patriots to make it out simply due to their extended depth on both sides of the ball. 

Rockville made a statement last year, pulling off what most would say was an upset over Damascus in the Regional final last season, eventually losing a heartbreaker to eventual 3A State finalist Towson in the State Quarterfinals. Damascus enters 2023 with a huge chip on their shoulder, and we see them as the team to beat throughout this region. Possessing a strong one-two punch on the bump in Darin Kuskie (USC Upstate) and Bryce Mitchell, the Swarmin' Hornets have depth on both sides that bodes well for a deep run in '23. One of the more intriguing teams to watch in this region, and a team that may give Damascus the toughest battle is Magruder. The Colonels are extremely young, with Sophomore standouts Terrion Pettus and Avery Grain as two players vying to make a huge impact in 2023. Look for Juniors Hudson Green and Hunter St. Denis to provide some leadership on both sides of the ball, with the expectation that the younger underclassmen provide depth throughout. 

Top 4
1. Thomas Johnson
2. Damascus
3. North Hagerstown
4. Magruder

3A North

Region I Region II
City Aberdeen
Digital Harbor Bel Air
Franklin C. Milton Wright
Poly Edgewood
Towson Kenwood
Woodlawn Patapsco

Notes

The Towson Generals, led by 7th year head coach Shawn Tormey made an impeccable run in 2022, eventually falling short to Chesapeake-AA in the State Championship game. Coach Tormey will have a slightly different feel to his roster this season, as his ace Chase Supensky and phenom shortstop Tariq Talley have both graduated. This undoubtedly opens up opportunities for others to take the lead in 2023. Look for Junior Jackson Huck to take that next step and lead the pitching staff, with Junior Aziz Bishop and an intriguing Sophomore in Marquise Harris as guys to circle offensively. The Poly Engineers look to be the biggest test for Towson once again this season, as their roster features a really nice mix of experience and intriguing underclassmen ready to compete for a regional title. 

Coach Andrews has his ace back this Spring for Bel Air, as Senior righty Aiden Hankins (Salisbury) will look to lead a Bobcats pitching staff deep and rich in talented arms. Look for fellow Seniors Cole Saxon and Jonathan Willhide to provide well added depth behind Hankins, with a slew of Junior arms on the cusp of taking that next step. The Bobcats will look slightly different at the plate however, as they graduate three of their top bats from a year ago. CM Wright looks to be the biggest threat to Bel Air with the likes of Seniors Cole Williams and Ryan Niedzialkowski (York) leading the charge, however the lack of depth on both sides may handcuff the Mustangs. 


Top 4
1. Bel Air
2. Towson
3. CM Wright
4. Poly

4A South

Region I Region II
Chopticon Chesapeake-AA
Great Mills Crofton
Huntingtown James M. Bennett
Northern (Cal) Northeast-AA
St. Charles Oxon Hill
  Stephen Decatur

Notes

The 4A South Region I looks to be extremely competitive once again in 2023, led by in our eyes two front runners in Huntingtown and Northern (Cal). Huntingtown returns a slew of starters on both sides of the ball, led by Senior catcher Conner Wilkerson (Stevenson) on the offensive side, and one of the top uncommitted Junior arms in Logan Hastings. The depth and shear experience should bode well for a deep fun for the Hurricanes. Northern returns their own ace in Senior Brandon Poole (UMES), while also returning key pieces on both sides of the ball. Great Mills returns their physical Junior two-way in Ryan Brown, while St. Charles has the luxury of handing the ball to standout Senior Kydese Queen (Norfolk State). Chopticon lost their ace in Howard (Allen) Miller to graduation and Dillon Adkins (Tennessee) to transfer, so it will be interesting to see where the Braves lie by season's end. Huntingtown has the depth that can match up with Northern, and we look for a huge year for Hastings, so we'll take the Hurricanes to come out of this region. 

Stephen Decatur on paper (as has been true for the past few years) is the top team in this region. Last year was a disappointing finish, losing in the Regional Semifinals and should set a chip on their shoulder moving forward in 2023. A pitching staff loaded with talent led by Seniors Ryan McLaughlin (Delaware), Adam Gardner (Randolph-Macon), Gus Croll (Christopher Newport) and Brooks Kendall (Delaware State) bodes well for a deep run this Spring, with an improved offensive prowess with names such as AJ Kolb, Owen Knerr (Goldey-Beacom), Lucas Loring, Caden Shockley, McLaughlin and Croll. Chesapeake-AA, coming off a 3A State Championship lose their ace in Nick Karls to graduation and figure to take a step back this year. Crofton is a team to keep eyes on this year, as the Cardinals have a slew of depth on both sides of the ball, led by their two-way standout Alex Craig (Salisbury) and should be competitive all Spring. Keep eyes on Alexander Kidd and Cory Fisher for the Clippers of James M. Bennett, however we believe they are a piece or two away from solidifying themselves as a top contender. 

Top 4
1. Stephen Decatur
2. Huntingtown
3. Northern
4. Crofton

4A East


Region I Region II
Centennial Atholton
Howard Long Reach
Manchester Valley
Reservoir
Marriotts Ridge River Hill
Mount Hebron Wilde Lake
Westminster

Notes

Centennial looks to be the team to beat in this region once again in 2023, vying for their third consecutive Region title. Coach Ahearn returns a slew of starters from last year's squad including Junior two-way Cadeyrn Ahearn (Lehigh), Senior two-way Carter Watson (Randolph-Macon) and Senior backstop Qwynn Ahearn (Pennsylvania). The Howard Lions are rich in upperclassmen depth and look to make a run at Centennial's reign, while Marriotts Ridge has intriguing impact players on both sides of the ball led by Senior Griffin Roussell (Allegany College). Westminster has Junior standout Clayton Dorsey and Sophomore slugger Will Mollman to keep eyes on, however lack extensive depth on both sides. We look for Centennial to stay more consistent in 2023 compared to last year and come out of this region. 

The 3A East Region II looks to be extremely competitive this Spring with all five teams possessing intriguing talent on both sides of the ball. River Hill on paper looks to be the most balanced, led by Junior ace Henry Zatkowski (Duke) and Senior outfielder Demetre Koutras (Penn State-Harrisburg). The offense should put up plenty of runs for coach Craig Estrin with depth provided by the likes of Riley Finkelston and Eje Okojie, however the question mark for the Hawks is the pitching after Zatkowski. Atholton has plenty of pieces led by arms such as McDaniel commits Ryan Buecker and Kurtis MacKenzie with Senior leadership on the offensive side. Long Reach will rely on their standout Sophomore Aidan West (NC State) once again in 2023, with an intriguing ace in JP Tennant (CCBC Catonsville) leading the staff. Look for big production out of Sophomore Seth Rosenfeld as well. Reservoir lost a few pieces from last year's regional Championship team, however do return key Seniors in Quinn Dean (McDaniel), Zach Gaynor (Chestnut Hill) and Jack Lloyd (Wilson) to provide a spark. Wilde Lake has two premier arms in Derek Fermaint and Peter Keating (Anne Arundel CC) to lead the pitching staff, with Senior leader Brady McGonigal providing some thump throughout the order. With such parity and competitiveness throughout this East Region II, it will come down to River Hill's ability to find players who will step up behind Zatkowski on the mound; and if they can do that consistently, look for the Hawks to win the region. 

Top 4
1. River Hill
2. Centennial
3. Marriotts Ridge
4. Wilde Lake