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With the 2019 Maryland High School baseball season just underway and games right around the corner, we begin to close out our complete preseason coverage with a look at every conference throughout that state. We will break down each conference with a preview of teams expected to contend as well as key players from across the league that you won't want to miss play. 

Note: A preseason questionnaire was sent out to all Maryland high school baseball coaches in Mid-January to gain pertinent information for this piece but not all forms were completed and returned. Below is a compilation of information received as well as thoughts from our staff at PBR Maryland.

Players to Watch

Sangho Baek James M. Bennett
Khalik Beasley Cambridge SD
Lee Byrd North Caroline
Jamison Covey Colonel Richardson
Noah Iseman Kent County     
Remy Mangum Colonel Richardson
Will Manship North Caroline
Nick Newnam St. Michaels
Paul Oscar James M. Bennett
Hunter Selzer Stephen Decatur
Dylan Smith Mardela
Ryan Teaman Mardela
Charles Townsend Snow Hill
Will Trader Snow Hill
Evan Truitt Stephen Decatur
Jack Vener St. Michaels
Jackie Zebron Colonel Richardson

Bayside North

Teams
Cambridge S-Dorchester
*Colonel Richardson
Easton
Kent County
Kent Island
North Caroline
North Dorchester
Queen Anne's
St. Michaels
 

*Denotes 2018 Conference Champion

Bayside South

Teams 
Crisfield
James M. Bennett
Mardela
Parkside
Pokomoke
Stephen Decatur
*Snow Hill
Washington
Wicomico

*Denotes 2018 Conference Champion

2019 Season Outlook

One of the most consistent and dominant programs on the eastern shore year in and year out has been St. Michaels, and the Saints might have a bit of an underdog view this season having to replace some key cogs on their roster, but do not count them out one bit. The Saints have a strong team returning that will be led by the dynamic two way talent Nick Newnam (Harford CC), who will again be a top hitter on offense and give the Saints important innings as well on the mound. Pitching seems to be their strongest trait this year with Newnam, Jack Vener, and Grant Labelle all returning with plenty on innings under their belt once again this season. Offensively the Saints have returing back C Jock Luthy, Labell, OF Josh Risher, OF Ryan Smith and 3B Nolan Sawatski. Having had the pleasure of watching St. Michaels in years past, this is a team who is well coached and always seem to have a disciplined approach on the offensive end that will frustrate opposing pitchers. 

Colonel Richardson looks like they should again contend for a Bayside championship and potetially make a run in the 1A state tournament. Though they lost key players in PBR Maryland player of the year Jacob Zebron and C Garrett Nepert, the Colonels have a strong core of returners that will be led by their arms 2019 Jamison Covey (Harford CC) and 2019 Remy Mangum (Chesapeake CC). Mangum was the Bayside pitcher of the year with an impressive 7-1 record to go along with a minuscule 0.36 ERA while also hitting .362 last season. The Colonels have a nice core of seniors returning in Ty Scott (.311BA), Tyler Stanley (.304), Nathan Roth, Ryan Stanton (.319), and Covey (.310). Watch out for Jackie Zebron who had an impressive sophomore campaign and looks like he should have another solid junior season.

Keep an eye out for Kent Island, who also have a talented team this spring and look like they could also contend in the North this spring. Kent has a young contingent of talent that includes Hunter Griebel, Charles and Toby Skeans. They might be a year away with the young talent on board, but Kent Island should be another top challenger in the North.

North Caroline have some nice pieces back on the roster this year and could be another team that will surprise a few.  Back leading the way will be senior Will Manship (Salisbury) manning the shortstop position with 2020 JB Brown patrolling centerfield again and Lee Byrd and Matt Herring manning the corner infield positions. Keep an eye on some new faces Kyler Boyd, Chris Curler, Jayden Watkins, Mason Pate and Joel Cohee as well. This is a young team with nice talent that could be one to keep an eye on.

Mardela looks like they could be a surprise team and contend for a South title in 2019 with a strong rotation on the mound with the likes of 2019 LHP Dylan Smith (Salisbury), 2020 RHP Ethan Peterman, and 2019 LHP Nathan Harper. Offensively, they will be led by Smith, 2019 SS Ryan Teaman (Salisbury), and OF Troy Turner (UMES). Jacob Long, Harper and Peterman will also pace the offense which should make for a solid lineup.

James M. Bennett traditionally possesses some high end talent in the Bayside conference and 2019 looks to be no different. They look like they should have a very solid pitching rotation with the likes of Sang Ho Baek leading the staff along with Max Taylor, Ryan Mitchell (Delaware State), and Blake Corbin (UMES). Offensively Brett Swift will be a big stick in the middle of the lineup. Keep an eye on 2020 C Paul Oscar, who shows nice athleticism and could be a key contributor this season. Consistency will be the biggest factor for their success and if they can play a consistent brand of baseball day in, day out, Bennett should contend once again and be in the mix.

Stephen Decatur looks like they should also contend for a Bayside South title once again and it looks like they have a strong core that should lead them as well on the mound. Hayden Snelsire (Randolph-Macon), looks like he will head up the staff along with talented youngsters Hunter Selzer and Evan Truitt. Offensively, keep an eye out for 2019 2B Dawson Delaney (Wilson College) and 2020 SS/RHP Noah Ager. The need for offense should be a key to how far Decatur can go in 2019.

The defending Bayside South Champions Snow Hill will have a tough time replacing their top player from 2019 Zach Adams, who is now a freshmen at Campbell U, but do have a nice core in place in Wil Trader, Cole Gursky, and Charles Townsend. HC Todd Lampman always his guys ready to compete year in and year out as one of the top coaches in the conference.

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