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MD/DE Scout Blog: Oakdale at Middletown

March 24, 2023
Jamie Naill Jr
Maryland Scouting Director

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Oakdale locked horns with #10 Middletown on Thursday night, and we got the chance to get eyes on an abundance of uncommitted talent, as well as one of the top left-handed hitting catchers in the state in Junior George Mason commit Andrew Raymond (Middletown). 

Oakdale gave the ball to Junior righty Britton Wildasin, while Middletown went with Junior Hunter Barnes. Middletown wasted no time in the bottom of the first, putting up two runs led by a double off the bat of Junior outfielder Joey Nicholson that led to a two RBI double off the bat of Junior first baseman Brett Lucas. In the third, the Knights struck again, this time putting up a three spot led by an RBI single by Senior Camren Baker, an RBI double by Junior two-way Hunter Barnes, and an RBI single off the bat of Nicholson. That's all the run support the Knights would need, as Barnes and Junior righty Preston Yost slammed the door on the Oakdale offense, combining for the shutout and the 5-0 victory. 

 

 

Oakdale

 

Britton Wildasin RHP / OF / Oakdale , MD / 2024

Wildasin got the start for the Bears on the bump, and although he didn't have his best stuff on the night, you can tell why there is a ton of intrigue in the arm. It's a physical 6-foot-2, 195 pound frame that has some athletic components to it. Working out of a shorter side-step delivery and a slower, controlled build up, the slot has some deception to it out of a higher three-quarter look and has some cross-body through release. The fastball worked in the mid 80's, getting up to 86 mph in the 2nd inning with a 69-71 mph slider that played down in the zone. 

 

 

 

 

Middletown

 

Hunter Barnes C / 3B / Middletown , MD / 2024

An arm that really jumped out to me was uncommitted Junior and Middletown starter Hunter Barnes. The two-way potential is present, and the arm certainly opened my eyes. Works with plenty of intent out of a close to over the top slot, mixing the fastball, curveball for strike sin any count with confidence. The fastball worked both sides of the plate with some carry through the zone at 82-83, touching 84 mph. The breaking ball was thrown with confidence and showed bigger 12/6 shape that tended to back up for strikes at 68-71 mph. A confident arm that attacks hitters with intent. Worked 3.1 innings, giving up just two hits while striking out four.

Also impressed at the dish, notching two hits with a double and an RBI out of the two-hole. A quick, limited back load and a toe-tap strike, Barnes utilizes some torque in the hips and an uphill path that is aggressive and looking to do damage. A more pull-side approach, the barrel accuracy continues to make strikes and the ability to backspin to the pull side gap is something to keep an eye on. 

 

Andrew Raymond C / Middletown, MD / 2024

Coming off a stellar '22 Summer and Fall, Raymond committed to George Mason University and has put his name into conversation as one of the top left-handed sticks across Maryland. The hands show plenty of rhythm pre-pitch with some quick twitch actions as he unloads the hands through the zone. Synchs into the lower half well, utilizing his strong hips and legs to create torque and power. A slightly uphill path, the barrel is heavy and accurate with loud line drive tendencies to both gaps and alleys. Behind the dish, the actions are athletic with soft hands and a plus arm that can shut down a running game. Possessing a physical 6-foot-1, 190 pound frame, look for power numbers to continue to rise for the athletic backstop.  

 

Joey Nicholson OF / RHP / Middletown , MD / 2024

It was another opportunity to see one of the top uncommitted Juniors in the state, and Nicholson provided a spark yet again. A physical, uber-athletic 6-foot, 210 pound frame, Nicholson utilizes the whole field with the best of them and showcased the opposite field prowess in last nights contest. The hands are quick with whippy barrel action out of a quiet, balanced setup. It's a shorter back load that allows for simple, yet explosive actions through contact. A plus arm (92 mph) and run-tool (6.68 60-yard) hammers down the fact that Nicholson can impact the game in multiple facets. Finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. 

 

Fredy Diaz Jr. SS / 2B / Middletown, MD / 2024

A wiry uncommitted Junior that is on the cusp of taking that next step, Diaz is a special talent that has a fairly high contact rate at the dish and can really pick it up the middle. Hitting from a slightly crouched, balanced stance, it's a shorter toe-tap stride with minimal hand movement and a smooth back load. The hands work quick through contact with plenty of line drive tendencies to the middle. Stays inside the ball well with a shorter, compact stroke and feel for the barrel.