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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 in Baltimore County

Jonah Baney (Lansdowne)
Michael Birchfield (Eastern Tech)
Devin Braun (Parkville)
Cody Brick (Catonsville)
Nick Eiswert (Catonsville)
Dallas Evans (Catonsville)
Bryce Frederick (Dulaney)
Drew Gorsuch (Sparrows Point)
Ben Hester (Sparrows Point)
Jimmy Kells (Hereford)
Roman March (Franklin)
Dustin Morris (Sparrows Point)
Todd Mozoki (Dulaney)
Reggie Shaw (Randallstown)
Camden Sklar (Eastern Tech)
Mekhi Stevens (Randallstown)
Aaron Winsker (Hereford)

 

Baltimore County Division "A"

Teams
*Dulaney Lions
Eastern Tech Mavericks
Catonsville Comets
Towson Generals
Sparrows Point Pointers
Hereford Bulls
Lansdowne Vikings
Perry Hall Gators

*Denotes 2018 Division Champion

2019 Season Outlook

Dulaney rolled through the "A" Division last year with ease and will look to defend that title with All-Baltimore County 1st Team shortstop and Radford commit Bryce Frederick back leading the way. Fellow senior Tyler Tufano, junior Finn Drew, and sophomores Todd Mozoki and Reid Bark also figure to play key roles in this year's offensive attack for the Lions with Mozoki also expected to anchor the staff. Look for juniors Gabe Piche', Cole McGee, and Ryan Conroy to see increased roles on the mound for the defending champs. 

Eastern Tech, Catonsville, Sparrows Point, and Hereford look to be Dulaney's top competition in the "A" Division this year. Eastern Tech returns seniors Michael Birchfield, Mitch Shanklin, Ryan Wagener, and junior Camden Sklar. The loss of Jeff Young on the mound may hurt a bit but look for Birchfield and Sklar to see increased roles on the mound for the Mavericks. Catonsville returns Cody Brick, Dallas Evans, and All-Baltimore County 1st Team outfielder as a freshman Nick Eiswert. 6th year head coach Marc Kline has quietly been building something special down at the Point and 2019 may just be their year with seven seniors returning. Drew Gorsuch (5-2 W-L, .455 AVG), Dustin Morris (.584 AVG), and Ben Hester (5-1 W-L, .470 AVG) look to lead the way with Matt Paul, Robbie Clark, transfer Kyle Hansel, ready to make this their year. Sparrows Point won the 1A North Region last season before falling to the eventual 1A State Champion Boonsboro Warriors in the State Semi-Finals. The 2A North regional champ Hereford Bulls should also contend for the the "A" Division title with senior SS/RHP Aaron Winsker (Stockton University) back to lead the way. 

Towson loses just about their entire starting nine from last season so they will be young under 1st year head coach Shawn Tormey. Seniors Max Gadsden, Ian O'Malley, Carl Paredes, and sophomore Noah Perkinson figure to lead the way for the Generals in a rebuilding year. 

Baltimore County Division "B"

Teams
*Parkville Knights
Randallstown Rams
Dundalk Owls
Patapsco Patriots
Loch Raven Raiders
Carver A&T Wildcats
Chesapeake-BC Bayhawks
Overlea Falcons

*Denotes 2018 Division Champion

2019 Season Outlook

Parkville (13-1) edged out Randallstown (10-2) by one game last season to win the Baltimore County "B" Division Championship. The two teams split the regular season series with both winning on the road. With both teams tied for first place in late April, it was Dundalk (9-5) that played spoiler defeating the Rams 6-1 at home to separate the two in the final standings. 

The Knights lose All-Division P/OF James Hobson, P/UTL Sebastian Cardano, and OF/P Joey Madore but return All-Division senior OF/C Devin Braun and five others. Adam Bigelow, Jayme Troy, and Andrew Williams return in the lineup while junior RHP Nat Scholze, and sophomore RHP Owen Stettes look to anchor a young staff in 2019.

Meanwhile, Randallstown loses Baltimore County Player of the Year C/INF Amani Stevens, 1B/P Jaylen Lawson, and OF Zack Burke. Senior Reggie Shaw returns to lead the offense coming off a stellar season in which he batted .583 and slugged 1.062. Sylvester Graham (4-1 W-L, 1.99 ERA, 38 K's in 2018) will lead the pitching staff with junior Mekhi Stevens (.463 AVG, 37 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases / 2-3 W-L, 1.34 ERA, 37 K's) figuring to play a key role on both offense and on the mound. While it looks to be a two team race for the top spot once again in the "B" Division, keep an eye out for Dundalk, Loch Raven, and Patapsco to possibly make some noise and shake things up. 

 

Baltimore County Division "C"

Teams
*Franklin Indians
Pikesville Panthers
Kenwood Bluebirds
New Town Titans
Owings Mills Eagles
Western Tech Wolverines
Milford Mill Millers
Woodlawn Warriors

*Denotes 2018 Division Champion

2019 Season Outlook

Franklin (12-0) went undefeated in the "C" Division on the way to claiming the title in 2018. The Indians lose C Lucas Carr who is now playing at CCBC Catonsville, P Matt Bark (5-1 W-L) and OF Reid Bark (transferred) but return the talented left -handed hitting junior OF Roman March. March hit .444 and slugged .759 with 11 extra base hits, 18 RBI's and scored 24 runs. Senior Evan Schwartz (4-0 W-L, 2.37 ERA, and 24 K's in 17.2 innings of work ) and junior Eric Herbert (3-0 W-L record and 3 saves) return to anchor the staff. Pikesville and Kenwood look to be Indians biggest challenges in the "C" Division again in 2019. 

 

 

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