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MD/DE Scout Blog: Boonsboro at Catoctin

April 4, 2023
Jamie Naill Jr
Maryland Scouting Director

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I made my way up the mountains to see a matchup between Boonsboro and Catoctin on Monday night, and I certainly got my money's worth as Senior ace Joey McMannis (Maryland) got the ball for Catoctin on the bump.  

The Cougars jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the 1st, courtesy of a two out two RBI single off the bat of Junior catcher DJ Shipton. After back-to-back singles off the bats of Senior Peyton Castellow and Sophomore Bryont Green in the bottom of the 2nd, Catoctin cashed in again, this time an RBI sac fly from Sophomore Jacob Bell, an error that scored another, and another two out RBI single by Junior DJ Shipton to push the score to 5-0. Catoctin would later score two more in the bottom of the 4th to extend the lead to 7-0. Senior Joey McMannis (Maryland) was masterful all night long, finishing his night working five innings, giving up just one hit, one walk and ten strikeouts. Boonsboro would scratch across three in the 6th, but would end up falling to Catoctin 7-3. 

 

 

Catoctin

 

Joseph McMannis RHP / 3B / Catoctin , MD / 2023

Dominance. That is one of many ways to describe what McMannis portrayed on the bump in Monday nights contest. Picking up the win, the University of Maryland commit worked five shutout innings, giving up just one hit, one walk with ten strikeouts en route to a 66% strike percentage. Standing at a physically imposing 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, McMannis dominated the zone on the night, mixing the fastball and breaking ball in for strikes in any count. Working out of the stretch, it's a higher leg kick with a kick out stride and full arm circle through a powerful, high intent release. Utilizing excellent balance, the athleticism is on full display with a confidence and moxie that is tough to match across the state. The fastball explodes out of the hand, with the four-seam showcasing some late sink action and the two-seam with hard run into right-handed hitters. The velo jumped in the 1st, sitting every bit of 91-93 mph before settling in the 88-91 mph range after that. McMannis did touch a few 91's and 92's in the later innings, as well as popping a 92 on his tenth strikeout of the night in his fifth and final inning. The breaking ball was sharp and showed tight 10/4 shape at 77-79 mph, inducing plenty of whiffs and some knee buckling action to it. Did show the ability to occasionally manipulate shapes, while holding the same velo and tunneling well off the fastball.  

 

Jacob Bell SS / RHP / Catoctin, MD / 2025

My favorite bat on the night was undoubtedly Bell, a physical, ultra-athletic middle infielder with plenty of evident strength in all facets of the game. Hitting out of a crouched, balanced stance, Bell works with a smooth back load and excellent separation in the hands with a rhythmic toe-tap load and stride. The hands work quick, creating some whip in the barrel with evident middle to pull side line drive tendencies, utilizing torque in the hips and strong lower half involvement. It's a level path through the zone with explosion. Finished the day 2-for-2 with two singles, two runs scored and an RBI sac fly. 

 

Bryont Green SS / OF / Catoctin, MD / 2025

Another Sophomore bat to like in this Catoctin program is Green. A prototypical leadoff hitter, Green shows solid feel for the barrel at a high contact rate, with the ability to lift and create backspin; in which bodes well for his future once the frame really starts to fill out. Hitting with a medium-sized leg kick load, the hands show some separation with weight transfer, showcasing pull side tendencies. The actions are clean and fluid on both sides of the ball, as the future looks to be bright for the left-handed hitting middle infielder. 

 

DJ Shipton C / 3B / Catoctin, MD / 2024

Worth a note, catching Joey McMannis is no easy feat, especially considering the movement and shear power that's generated on each pitch; however, Shipton did a phenomenal job and showed confidence and clean actions behind the dish all night. With that being said, the hit tool was certainly on display on Monday night, notching two hits and three RBI. The feel for the barrel jumped out to me in the first inning, as he went down and barreled a bullet into the left-center gap for a two RBI single. It's a smooth back load with simple, fluid actions and some strength that is evident in the hands through contact. a gap-to-gap approach, the tendencies are to the pull side and backspin will continue to be generated as the body fills. 

 

Peyton Castellow LHP / OF / Catoctin , MD / 2023

Two-way Peyton Castellow is a hard-nosed, gritty player who showcases the ability to impact the game time and time again. Not only is the prowess on the bump impressive, the hit tool is present as well with a true gap-to-gap line drive approach. Castellow controls the box and does so with no over-bearing physical presence, but the actions scream confidence and the barrel control and approach backs it up. The hands work in rhythm, creating some separation and slight twitch through contact with a more level path. A high contact bat with consistent barrel speed created.