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MD Scouting Director, Jamie Naill, was on site to see two games at Joe Cannon Stadium. The first game featured a highly intriguing matchup between Arundel and Patuxent, followed by Broadneck and Chesapeake-AA. Below, Naill takes a look at a plethora of uncommitted talent on hand, as well as highlights a few committed players who made a big impact in the games. Click the link below and head to the "2024 High School" tab to view our full MD/DE 2024 High School Headquarters which includes HS Rankings, Heat Sheet, Scout Blogs, Season Previews, and Preseason All-State Teams.

MD/DE 2024 HS Headquarters

 

 

Arundel

 

Luke Gamble OF / Arundel, MD / 2027 A player quickly on the rise, and one to certainly keep eyes on in a LOADED MD/DE 2027 class, Luke Gamble has followed a breakout off-season with a strong start to the spring. Batting out of the leadoff spot, Gamble utilizes his high contact rate and above-average speed to be a force at the top of the Arundel order. It's a simple, yet effective operation at the dish, showcasing the ability to spray consistent line drives to all fields with some untapped power to the pull side gap. The hands are fluid, creating some whip in the barrel with a more level path and some natural backspin to the gaps and alleys. As strength is added, and the frame fills out, look for the speedy outfielder to showcase his ability to impact the baseball with even more authority in the near future.

Rowland Thursby SS / Arundel, MD / 2025 A talent-filled night at Joe Cannon Stadium saw a plethora of uncommitted talent still on the board across the Old Line State, and Thursby may have been the most impressive on the night. The hit tool continues to stand out and the feel for the barrel has increased with each look. It's a taller, balanced setup with a smooth backload and plenty of torque in the lower half, creating extension with present strength to both gaps and alleys. The barrel is heavy and shows length through the zone with a quick first step out of the box that points to his athleticism. As the frame continues to fill out, this is a can't-miss middle infield prospect with versatility at the next level.

Broadneck

Calvin Cook SS / Broadneck, MD / 2024 The Middle Tennesse State commit produces each time I get eyes on him, and nothing changed in last night's game, going 1-3 with a bullet single up the middle. On barrel consistently, the smooth swinging lefty stays true to a middle-of-the-field approach with the ability to create some backspin and showcase power to the alleys. The hands show rhythm with fluid actions, creating some hand speed through and one of the more accurate barrels across the state. It's a high contact profile at the dish with power upside as the frame continues to fill. Defensively, the hands are smooth with quick footwork and arm strength that looks to keep Cook on the left side at the next level.

Avik Cherry SS / Broadneck High, MD / 2027 I have seen Cherry ever since he was in middle school, and the growth, maturity, and strength continue to be added in every facet of the game. Although the power is starting to come to the forefront, the approach and ability to spray to the opposite field has not been forgotten, going 2-4 in last night's game with an inside-the-park homerun to dead center field and a standup triple to right field. A smooth, controlled backload allows the lower half to be engaged with controlled hand speed through contact and extension created. The body continues to fill out and power numbers will certainly continue to rise.

Nicholas Cicale C / Broadneck , MD / 2025 One of the quickest risers across the state, Cicale has made an impression early on this spring and the hit tool continues to impress in multiple facets. The power is rising and the ability to impact the baseball consistently is intriguing. A slightly crouched setup, the hands work quick with some barrel speed created, showcasing strength to the pull side with plenty more to come as the frame fills. The work ethic is top-notch, and the actions behind the plate continue to evolve. Receiving skills are some of the best I've seen this spring and the arm strength is quickly increasing. As the barrel feel increases, this is a big-time uncommitted backstop that college coaches should jump on right away.

Cooper Mengel 2B / Broadneck High, MD / 2027 As stated before, this 2027 class across MD and DE is deep and rich in talent. Cooper Mengel certainly is in that conversation and the at-bats I witnessed certainly backed that statement. It's an aggressive, yet controlled operation at the dish with line drive tendencies to all fields and present strength the the pull side. Showcasing an accurate barrel with hand speed through, the power upside is through the roof and should only increase as the already advanced frame fills out.

Peyton Cassidy SS / Broadneck, MD / 2024 Positionally, Broadneck is loaded with talent, and the Chatham commit is certainly a big part of that. The hands at the dish caught my eye right away, and the approach is something to pay attention to. Staying consistent with a middle approach, the barrel shows some whip through the zone with hand rhythm and balance throughout the operation. Defensively, the versatility is present with the ability to play any infield position at a high level, as arm strength, soft hands, and clean footwork were all showcased on the night.