MD/DE Scout Blog: Bethesda-Chevy Chase at Walt Whitman
April 17, 2023
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A huge 4A West Region I matchup was on tap Friday night, as Bethesda-Chevy Chase made the trip to Walt Whitman in a game that featured a Senior Holy Cross commit up to 93 mph on the bump and a slew of uncommitted talent on both sides.
Walt Whitman turned the ball to their Senior leader in Lion Gardiner (Holy Cross), while Bethesda-Chevy Chase went with their own Senior leader in Miles Kessler (New York University). The Barons threatened in the top of the first, as Sophomore Trent Lopez followed a one out walk with a double to right-center field to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with just one out. Gardiner ended up getting out unscathed however, inducing a weak ground out to first and a strikeout to end the inning. Walt Whitman would also threaten in their home half of the first, as Junior John Wayman led off with a double and Sophomore Sammy Berman followed with a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. After the runners would advance on an error, Kessler would find a way to get out unscathed, striking out two and inducing a pop out. Whitman would finally strike in the third, as Senior Ben Schlossman lined a one out single to center field scoring the first run of the ballgame. In the fourth, Berman and Senior Mitchell Hwang (Tufts) provided back-to-back RBI singles and Junior backstop Gideon Schwartz later added his own, giving Whitman a 4-0 lead. The Barons would finally strike in the fifth, as Junior two-way Bobby Burk laced an RBI single to right-field and back-to-back hit by pitches added another run to cut the lead to 4-2. Sophomore Wells Twining worked 2+ innings out of the 'pen to slam the door for Walt Whitman, as they took this one 4-2.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase
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Trent Lopez OF / Bethesda-CC, MD / 2025In my first live look in game at the uncommitted Sophomore outfielder, Lopez certainly stood out. Possessing an athletic, wiry 5-foot-11, 165 pound frame with proportional strength throughout, Lopez showcased the ability to handle velo very well at the dish and looked very comfortable facing low 90's fastballs. Hitting out of a crouched, even stance with a rhythmic toe-tap load and stride, the hands work quick with explosiveness through contact and the ability to create some lift to the middle of the field. It's a high contact bat with developing power and intriguing awareness for the barrel. Finished the game 2-for-3 with a double.
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Bobby Burk RHP / OF / Bethesda-CC, MD / 2024Usually known for his prowess on the bump, featuring a mid 80's fastball and an above average breaking ball, the two-way standout showcased the hit tool on Friday night. It's a tall, balanced setup at the dish with the hands rhythmically set high. Creates solid separation in the hands with a smooth middle of the field line drive approach and the occasional ability to lift to the gaps and alleys. Utilizing a more level path, Burk sat back really well on a tough slider in the fifth and laced an RBI single into right-center field. The arm is obviously intriguing and has the makeup to play at the college level, however the bat certainly opened my eyes and may bring additional opportunities throughout his recruitment journey.
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Walt Whitman
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Lion Gardiner RHP / SS / Walt Whitman, MD / 2023Holy Cross is without a doubt getting an ultra-competitor and what looks to be a front-end starter in Gardiner. Featuring one of the top sliders across Maryland, the 5-foot-11, 165 pound righty tunnels the low 80's slider really well off the fastball and induces consistent swing and miss on the pitch. Showcasing tight spin up to 2750 rpm on the night, Gardiner was able to manipulate the shape and throw it for strikes consistently, which allowed the fastball to miss bats throughout the zone. The fastball was thrown with confidence at 89-92 mph, getting up to 93 mph in the second inning and seemed to hold velo really well through his four plus innings of work. It's a quick arm through a power three-quarter slot with a ton of intent and drive down the bump. Clean arm action looks to hold true, and Gardiner's future is very bright at Holy Cross beginning next year. Worked four and 2/3 innings pitched, giving up two earned runs and punching out nine at a 62% strike percentage.
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Wells Twining RHP / Walt Whitman, MD / 2025Possessing a long 6-foot-6, 180 pound frame, Twining still has plenty of room to fill out and really bulk up the lower half. Working an effective three pitch arsenal, Twining fills up the zone with the full mix, showcasing the ability to get whiffs in the zone on a mid to high 80's fastball (up to 89). The slider/curveball combo play well off each other, with the curveball showing bigger, gradual 11/5 shape at 71-73 mph and the slider playing tight (2500 rpm) with late breaking 10/4 shape; both thrown for strikes and both inducing weak contact. The frame in itself should open a ton of college recruiters eyes, and the makeup on the three-pitch mix screams projection and intrigue.
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Sammy Berman SS / RHP / Walt Whitman , MD / 2025The uncommitted shortstop continues to climb throughout a loaded MD/DE Class of 2025, and Friday night was another example of how special this bat is. Consistently producing loud contact, Berman stays true to a gap-to-gap approach and rarely, if ever switches from it. The ability to pound the middle is special and as the strength continues to be added to the frame, the power numbers will climb. Consistent quick hand speed and and the awareness for the barrel bodes well for success at the next level.
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Mitchell Hwang RHP / 3B / Walt Whitman, MD / 2023I wrote about Hwang a week or so ago, and the bat impressed once again in this one. It's a simple, but explosive gap-to-gap approach, showcasing a keen ability to lace line drives to the opposite field gap. Creating occasional lift through, the hands work fluid and smooth with some hand speed created. A two-way talent that Tufts University should be very excited about.
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Gideon Schwartz C / 3B / Walt Whitman, MD / 2024One of the top uncommitted backstops across the MD/DE Class of 2024, Schwartz consistently showcases aggression at the dish with loud line drive tendencies to the middle of the field. There's rhythm present in the hands and body with strength evident in the swing. An above-average defender behind the dish, the arm strength is present with throws that show carry to the bag and athleticism that certainly plays at the next level.
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