Follow @PBRMaryland
Facebook & Instagram

MD Director of Operations Cole Ledger highlights the top players he's seen during the week of 4/22 and provides scout notes and video on over a dozen players. Ledger, during that period, was on site to see 8 different matchups in 6 days across Maryland and Delaware. Click the link below and head to the "2024 High School" tab to view our full MD/DE 2024 High School Headquarters, including HS Rankings, Heat Sheet, Scout Blogs, Season Previews, and Preseason All-State Teams.

MD/DE 2024 HS Headquarters

 

Aidan West SS / Long Reach, MD / 2025 We got our first look this spring at the top-ranked player in the junior class, and he certainly made noise early. Our staff attended both matchups between River Hill and Long Reach, and in the first game, West was tasked with one of the top prep arms in the state in a difficult left-on-left matchup. He got behind in the count in his first AB but stayed aggressive and hit a bullet backside into left field for a leadoff single. He was intentionally walked in extra-innings after a few more tough ABs later in the game. A week later, he collected two more base hits in the matchup we attended. A left-handed hitting middle infielder, West shows mature actions at the plate with an advanced feel for the barrel. Consistently makes hard contact and sprays to all fields. He continues to get better during every look, and he continues to lead the Lightning offense throughout the spring.

Henry Zatkowski LHP / River Hill, MD / 2024 We had the opportunity to see Zatkowski throw in both matchups against Long Reach on 4/22 and 4/29, and he absolutely dominated both outings. Combining both outings together, the Duke commit threw fourteen-plus shutout innings, walking only one batter and striking out twenty-nine. Tough lower 3/4 that confuses hitters, as he overpowered hitters with the fastball, which touched 90 in the second inning, sitting 87-89 throughout the game. As the game progressed, he would mix in the offspeed with a strong changeup, getting whiffs in the zone for Ks. Zatkowski continues his strong senior campaign as he looks to bring home back-to-back state titles to Clarksville after striking out 15 in last year’s 1-0 state championship win.

Osiah Kelley RHP / Sussex Central, DE / 2026 The top uncommitted player in the sophomore class took the hill under the lights on Tuesday, 4/23, against another top-tier lineup in then-ranked #2 Cape Henlopen. Outside of a solo HR allowed in the third, Kelley led the #1 ranked Golden Knights past the Vikings with another complete game. In two games against Cape Henlopen and Stephen Decatur, Kelley has thrown 12 innings, allowing only one run, striking out twenty, and allowing zero walks. He loved to throw the fastball early in the count to get ahead, as it touched 91 in the first inning, sitting 87-90. Features a plus secondary arsenal with a strong feel for the changeup in this outing at 79-81. Always one I walk away impressed watching, and this outing was no different.

Trevin Whitelock RHP / James M. Bennett, MD / 2025 I had the opportunity to watch Whitelock in a Wednesday afternoon tilt against Mardela, and I liked what I saw in my first-ever look. He worked out of a jam in the first inning, following up with a 1-2-3 second inning. Fastball worked both halves of the zone efficiently while mixing in a curveball down below the zone, collecting strikeouts left and right. Finished the game allowing two runs through five innings, while striking out nine batters. As he continues to add strength to the frame, expect the velo to continue to rise steadily.

Nathan Feather OF / Mardela, MD / 2026 One of our standouts at the East Coast Royals Scout Day back in February, Feather has shown strong actions at the plate over the course of this season. Collected two barrels in the game, the first to lead off the game as he hit a hard liner straight to second base. Later in the game, Feather would hit a hard line drive straight back up the middle for a base hit. Showed the ability to work all fields with line drive tendencies to the gaps. One to watch at Mardela as he continues to mature and build on strength.

Blake Bunting SS / James M Bennett, MD / 2026 Yet again another standout from our winter East Coast Royals Scout Day, Bunting showed ability at the plate in Wednesday’s game. His big hit came in the middle of the game as he tied the game up with a backside single into left field, driving in a pair of runs. 5-10, 170-LB frame with room to grow. Simple and fluid actions with an easy approach show line drive tendencies to all fields. A sweet left-handed hitter in the lower half of the Clippers lineup to keep eyes on as we gear toward playoffs.

Angel Santiago-Cruz SS / Severna Park, MD / 2024 We had our first opportunity to see Santiago-Cruz on the mound this season, and although it was a shorter look, it was an efficient inning from the University of Richmond commit. Only threw thirteen pitches in the inning, hurling nine strikes. Predominantly FB in the inning, working up in the zone getting heavy swing and miss at 88-90, grabbing a 91. Flashed two different breakers; a slider at 77-79 and a curveball at 77-78 that showed success below the zone. Although more known as a bat for Severna Park, Angel will get the occasional inning on the bump and he should be just as feared on both sides of the ball. Also seen below is 2 HRs that Santiago-Cruz hit on 4/15 in a 6 RBI effort vs Broadneck.

Arian Vargas RHP / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2026 After a lot of missed opportunities, I was finally able to catch Vargas in a Thursday afternoon contest against Severna Park, and it was definitely an electric outing in our first look ever at the uncommitted sophomore. Threw three innings in relief for the Cavs, as he induced weak contact with a three-pitch mix. It was not the most efficient outing for Vargas; however, the arsenal still looked as strong as ever. An overpowering fastball that explodes out of the hand, inducing whiffs at a strong 89-91, touching 92 in his first inning out of the bullpen. Paired the FB with a curveball that effectively worked away from righties at 77-79. Flashed a changeup at 83-85. One of the top sophomore arms in the entire state as he continues to explode onto the scene, quickly on the rise. CIRCLE this name.

Charlie Hartman OF / Severna Park, MD / 2025 Another uncommitted junior who has really impressed at the dish during multiple looks over the past two weeks. Against Broadneck on April 15th, he ambushed a high two-strike fastball and sent it over the tall fence in right field for a solo homerun. In another look a week later, he ripped a double into the right-center field gap. Strong left-handed stroke with line drive tendencies to the gaps with evident strength to the pull side. Covers a lot of ground in the outfield and made two fantastic grabs against the wall in both games I attended. A lot to like on both sides as we expect a big summer out of the Falcon product.

Anthony Badillo SS / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2027 This was our first look at one of the top players in the freshman class as he came into pinch hit late in Thursday’s contest. In that AB, he ripped a backside single into right field. It was not a super in-depth look, but it showed off the ultra-athleticism in his single AB, along with above-average actions on the basepaths.

Kaleb Kennedy 3B / Elkton, MD / 2026 Another standout from our winter events as we got eyes on him just before the season at the Delaware Preseason All-State. Absolutely physical corner infielder that continues to impress. Consistent hard-line drives off the bat with advanced power to the alleys. We got our first look at him in a game setting, a shorter swing at the plate as he finished 2-3 in Friday’s contest with 2 doubles. The first one was deep to the right-center field fence on the fly, along with another double into left field late in the game. It’s great to see the consistency at the dish translate in the game.

James LaManna C / Elkton, MD / 2025 LaManna is a really intriguing, uncommitted two-way for the Golden Elks. We had our first-ever look at the junior over the winter at our SC Bulldogs scout day, and there’s a ton to like in three different aspects. Starting at the plate, it’s a strong swing: ripped an extra-base hit early in the game against Harford Tech last Friday. Behind the plate, shows off a strong arm behind the plate with a sub-1.9 pop time. I had the opportunity to see him in action on the bump, and it was definitely fun to watch. High-spin on the fastball that works in the zone at 84-86, T87. Effective use of an occasional curveball that collects swords down below the zone. Changeup working away from hitters, inducing some swing and miss. A ton to like in all facets and another name to keep an eye on in the UCBAC going forward.

Drew Jourdan SS / John Carroll, MD / 2025 He is another winter standout here, as he really opened our eyes at our Maryland Preseason All-State Session II. The hit tool from this uncommitted junior continues to make noise day in and day out. Consistency to all fields with the ability to put the barrel to the ball and collect base hits left and right. Athletic 5-10 frame that still has room to grow. Heavy barrel through the zone that shows gap-to-gap tendencies. It’s a bat who continues to step up in big moments for the Patriots, and expect much of the same as we head to the private school playoffs. Love the actions here.

Sam Houchens LHP / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2025 I was able to see Houchens twice in a two-week span out of the Cavaliers’ bullpen, and in both outings, he was virtually lights out. He slammed the door shut against John Carroll to secure a series sweep last Friday. Houchens threw three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while striking out four. The fastball induced whiffs in the zone; been up to 85 this spring, consistently in the low-80s. Bigger-shaped breaking ball worked in the zone at 66-68, rounding out the arsenal with a changeup at 74-75. The southpaw has been one of the biggest bullpen arms for the Cavaliers this spring, and this game proved just that. Expect him to continue to throw big innings down the stretch as MIAA playoffs are just around the corner.