National Player of the Week: 4/8 to 4/14

April 17, 2024
By Andy Sroka
Managing Editor, Scouting

Today, we’re announcing our seventh National Player of the Week of the 2024 campaign. This was a particularly competitive week for the POTW honor. Ultimately, we chose a southpaw from Tennessee who walked a tightrope in a scoreless ballgame, pummeling the strike zone en route to 21 Ks in 9.1 innings on 113 pitches, no walks, and just two weak singles allowed. And the performance allowed his team to prevail in the end, 1-0.

PAST WINNERS

The players listed below were submitted by their coaches to their states through an official ‘Player of the Week’ form, and they were awarded the Player or Pitcher of the week awards in their respective states. If you’re a coach interested in submitting a nomination this season but have not yet received that form so far this spring, visit our staff directory to find the contact information for the state director overseeing your state’s season coverage.

Our staff took player stat lines from the week of April 8-14 into account when determining these awards.

🏆 NATIONAL POTW

Matthew Shorey LHP / Father Ryan, TN / 2024

“Shorey, a Vanderbilt recruit, has been about as consistent of an arm as there in Tennessee throughout the season thus far, and it all culminated into an unreal outing that he'll think about the rest of his career playing this game – regardless of the level he is at. Against a strong conference opponent, Shorey would keep his pitch count low enough to go 9.1 innings, collecting 21 Ks without issuing a walk, allowing only two weak singles on the night that helped earn Father Ryan a 1-0 win in 10 innings. Shorey threw 116 pitches on the night with 88 strikes to just 18 balls, while facing 30 hitters, and he K'd 21 of them.”

– Hunter Martin, Tennessee State Director

(3/15/24)

STATE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Alabama

+ Caiden Combs, 3B/1B (Gardendale HS, 2025) | Auburn:
“The Auburn recruit was 13-for-14 (.929) last week for the 6A No. 6 Rockets as they gear up for the AHSAA state playoffs. Combs had a home run and six doubles while driving in 10 runs. He also tossed three scoreless innings on the mound and did not allow a hit and he struck out six batters.”

+ Brayley Smith, RHP (Pell City HS, 2024) | Central Alabama CC:
“Smith was magnificent when the Panthers needed him the most, as he tossed a perfect game (7 IP) on only 77 pitches in a 1-0 win to clinch a state playoff spot. He did not allow a baserunner and struck out 10 while pounding the zone with a 72% strike percentage (56 out of 77 pitches).”

– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor

Arizona

+ Mason Russell, LHP (Casteel HS, 2024) | Arizona:
“Russell threw the second no-hitter in history at this year's NHSI tournament in Cary, N.C. Russell had 10 strikeouts on the day but only through 6 innings as Casteel beat the No. 13 team in the country, Wesleyan Christian HS (NC).”

– Shea Sbranti, Arizona Scouting Director

California

+ Cade Townsend, RHP (Santa Margarita HS, 2024) | Ole Miss:
“Townsend, from Santa Margarita Catholic, faced down the talented lineup of the JSerra Catholic Lions and spun an absolute gem with a complete game shutout. In the shutout Townsend allowed only three baserunners for the Lions, two coming from hits and one by the way of a walk. For the exclamation mark on a standout performance, Townsend punched out 14 hitters to ear the SoCal Pitcher of the Week honor.”

+ Josh Springer, C (Corona HS, 2024) | Oregon:
“Springer, the senior catcher of Corona, helped the Panthers win the NHSI National Championship by way of his stellar defense work, but even more importantly with his offensive performance. Another Oregon Duck commit, Springer was 5-for-13 going up against some the best teams from around the country. In addition to those five hits Springer drew a walk, while scoring two runs and his two RBIs were massive in helping the Panthers go undefeated and come home with the trophy to earn himself SoCal Player of the Week.”

+ Andrew Nichols, RHP (Soledad HS, 2024) | Uncommitted :
“Nichols toed the rubber for Soledad and by the end of his start had made history by throwing the first ever perfect game in the Soledad program baseball history. Over the course of his masterpiece Nichols would punch out 14 of the 18 hitters he faced in the game. His week was not only magnificent on the mound, but he added two hits and four walks with an RBI over that span.”

+ Jax Gimenez, SS (Whitney HS, 2024) | Oregon:
“Gimenez had a standout week for Whitney where the Oregon Duck commit went 5-for-9 with three of those hits being doubles and, for good measure, he added a homer to the mix. On top of the impact his bat made, Gimenez drew three walks was hit by two pitches, stole four bases, and scored three runs.”

– Les Lukach, California State Director

Colorado

+ Connor Larkin, 1B/OF (Cherry Creek HS, 2025) | Oklahoma:
“The former Future Games standout had a strong week thanks to going 8-for-10 with a home run, two stolen bases, a triple, a double, a hit by pitch, and he racked up six RBIs. Larkin is one of the top left-handed bats in the state and he is already committed to playing college baseball at Oklahoma in the fall of 2025. Cherry Creek will need all of the production they can get from Larkin moving forward as they fight to be one of the top teams in the state by the end of the season.”

+ Pedro Carrillo, RHP/INF (Bruce Randolph HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Carrillo is a name you may want to write down to monitor this spring as the uncommitted senior just tossed seven innings with 19 strikeouts against Middle Park last Monday. Carrillo comes with a fastball in the upper-80s along with an athletic frame (also plays basketball). The senior has now pitched nine innings with 22 strikeouts, just three hits allowed, and two walks to begin the season. Carrillo could be a late bloomer who picks up plenty of attention as we continue to monitor him this spring. ”

– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Staff

Florida

+ Nicholas Rovitti, RHP (Dwyer HS, 2024) | The Citadel:
“Rovitti threw a no-hitter in a win over Boca Raton last week. He went all seven innings allowing no runs and no hits. He struck out twelve and only walked two.”

- Final line: 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 12 K

+ Rene Ramirez, C (Columbus HS, 2025) | South Alabama:
“Ramirez had a big week for Columbus including some big hits to defeat Stoneman Douglas. He homered twice and drove in five runs.”

- Final line: 6-for-9; 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R

– Rocco Iervasi, Florida Managing Director

Idaho

+ Dillon Fine, RHP (Homedale HS, 2024) | Utah:
“Fine has continued to show dominance on the mound through the season. In seven innings for the Trojans, Fine struck out the first nine Parma batters. Fine continued his performance with striking out 18 total which sets a new school record for the Homedale Trojans. This season Fine has tossed for 23.1 innings with 51 strikeouts, four hits, eight walks, two runs, holding a 1.60 era for the Trojans. Fine and the Trojans will be back to work this week against Fruitland and McCall-Donnelly.”

+ Taylor Stringfellow, 3B/RHP (Highland HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Stringfellow was the core of the Rams offense this past week as he had two home runs in their game against Blackfoot. The uncommitted senior's offensive production led to a 14-6 win over Blackfoot. Stringfellow's present power and consistency in the box has him hitting .500 this season, with 16 hits total and 12 RBIs. The Highland product looks to have plenty of confidence at the plate as 5A High Country Conference play continues this week with the Rams taking on Thunder Ridge and Madison this week.”

– Gareth Dahlgren, Idaho Associate Director

Illinois

+ Jayden Patel, INF (Lake Park HS, 2024) | Parkland JC:
“Lake Park is off to a hot 12-1 start and they currently sit at No. 9 in our recently updated Power 25 rankings. We made mention of Patel in the Lancers' preview story as the team’s 'X Factor,' and he looks to have taken that prediction and ran with it. He helped the Lancers to a perfect 6-0 record this past week, finishing at an 11-for-20 clip with one home run, one triple, four doubles, 13 RBIs, eight runs scored, four walks and six stolen bases.”

+ Jackson Heidemann, RHP (Harlem HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Sophomore right-hander Heidemann had himself a week, helping the Huskies to a 3-1 clip with a couple strong performances on the mound. In total on the week, Heidemann went a perfect 2-0 with 10.1 innings, just two hits allowed, 17 strikeouts and two walks.”

– Pete Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Asst. Director

Indiana

+ Brandt Kendall, OF (Scottsburg HS, 2025) | Ball State:
“The Ball State recruit receives our player of the week honors for Week #3 after going 8-for-10 (.800) with three doubles, two triples, two home runs, six RBIs, and six runs scored. Kendall was 1-for-3 with a home run in his first game of the week, hit for the cycle in a 5-for-5 performance against Clarksville, and added a 2-for-2 day with two doubles against Jasper to finish the week.”

– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Lead Scout

Kansas

+ Victor Christal, RHP/INF (Bishop Miege HS, 2024) | Mizzou:
“Known more for his work on the mound, Christal went 10-for-12 on a three-game stint in Oklahoma with three home runs, eight RBIs, and two walks. ”

+ Sam Spiegel, RHP (Manhattan HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Sam moved to 3-0 on the season with two 6A wins this week. The projectable right-hander tossed 12.1 innings, giving up no runs, three hits, and two walks while striking out 10.”

– Andy Urban, Central Region Director

Kentucky

+ Dane Morrow, 3B (Trinity HS, 2024) | Tennessee:
“In three games last week, the offense of senior Tennessee recruit Morrow helped lead the Rocks to a 2-1 record for the event. Morrow went 5-for-9 with a triple, two walks, two RBIs, and scored two runs as Trinity posted wins against Massillon Jackson (No. 3 in Ohio) and St. Xavier (No. 9 in Kentucky). In Trinity’s other game, they dropped an 8-6 decision to Badin (No. 18 in Ohio).”

+ Gunner Massey, RHP (Paducah Tilghman HS, 2024) | Rend Lake JC:
“Massey was virtually unhittable in two starts last week. Facing Marshall County on Monday, Massey worked five innings while allowing just one hit and no earned runs with five strikeouts in a 7-2 win. Then on Saturday, Massey pitched Tilghman to the 2A state tourney in Owensboro next weekend by firing a seven-inning, no-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts.”

- Final line on the week: 12 IP (2-0), 0 ER, 1 H, 4 BB, 15 K.

– Chris Fuller, Kentucky Executive Director

Louisiana

+ William Schmidt, RHP (Catholic B.R. HS, 2024) | LSU:
“Catholic B.R. currently holds the No. 2 spot on our National High School Team Rankings, and Schmidt has been a big reason for the Bears success this season. Last Thursday, a plethora of MLB scouts, including a couple of general managers showed up to see the state's No. 1-ranked player against Zachary, and he delivered arguably his best outing of the season. The LSU recruit was dominant from his first pitch to his last, as he tossed a no-hitter (84 pitches; 59 strikes) with only one walk against 14 Ks as the Bears beat the Broncos by a score of 10-0 in six innings to move to 30-2 on the season. Schmidt now owns a 7-0 record and 0.49 ERA with 69 Ks to 14 walks across 42.2 innings in 2024.”

+ Rowen Bergeron, INF (Opelousas Catholic HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“We were definitely bullish on Bergeron heading into the spring, after seeing him at our State Games this past fall, and he was impressive last week at the plate for the Vikings. The uncommitted junior infielder went 6-for-12 (.500) with two homers, a double, 10 RBIs, and he scored seven runs in Opelousas Catholic's four wins last week over Westminster Academy, St. Edmund's, Tioga, and Ponchatoula. His two biggest performances came against Westminster Academy last Monday, where he went 2-for-3 with a homer, three RBIs, and three runs. Against Tioga on Friday, he went 3-for-5 with another home run, five RBIs, and three more runs.”

– Alex Armand, Louisiana Scouting Director

Minnesota

+ Joe Baldus, RHP (Farmington HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Throwing a no-hitter is a very good way to start your varsity career and that's just what Farmington's Baldus did. The right-hander rendered the previously unbeaten Burnsville hitless over seven innings, striking out 11, walking two, and using just 89 pitches.”

+ Dylan Alexander, C/OF (Minnewaska HS, 2024) | Minnesota-Crookston:
“Alexander has had an outstanding start to the season for the Minnewaska Lakers. In the first three games where the team went 3-0, the Minnesota-Crookston commit went 8-for-12 with an OPS of 1.417, adding three RBIs, scoring three runs, and a stolen base. Ranked No. 160 in Minnesota's 2024 class, Alexander shows athleticism on the field and will look to continue his hot start in the early part of the season.”

– Andy Judkins, Minnesota Scouting Director

Mississippi

+ Deuce Jenkins, OF (Northwest Rankin HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“The freshman and former Junior Future Games participant had a bi-time week for the No. 8-ranked Cougars, as he picked up six hits in nine at-bats including three home runs, a double, a triple, and eight RBIs. Jenkins is now hitting .457 in limited at-bats in his first year at the high school varsity level.”

+ Houston Green, RHP/INF (Center Hill HS, 2024) | Itawamba CC:
“The Itawamba CC recruit had a spectacular outing versus Saltillo, going seven innings, allowing just two hits, while striking out 14 against zero walks. Green is 5-2 with a 3.03 ERA on the season with 55 strikeouts.”

– Matt Miller, Mississippi State Director

Nebraska

+ Colin Nowaczyk, LHP (Elkhorn North HS, 2024) | Nebraska:
“The 2022 Future Game participant has been his usual dominant self on the mound this season. This past week, Nowaczyk led the Wolves to a 3-0 win over Waverly thanks to a complete game shutout with 13 strikeouts. He's now 6-0 with a minuscule 0.38 ERA and a 59:5 K:BB ratio in 37 innings.

Oh, and this week, the Nebraska commit also broke a Class B state record with 19 consecutive varsity wins without a loss.”

+ Gil Schroeder, SS (Elkhorn HS, 2024) | Southeast CC (NE):
“The No. 49 player in Nebraska's class of 2024 was a menace at the plate this past week, going 8-for-10 with two doubles, a triple, and a stolen base. Schroeder went 4-for-4 in back-to-back games against Elkhorn North and Hastings in the EMC tournament.

The Southeast CC (NE) commit is slashing .368/.429/.508 in 64 plate appearances for the Antlers this year.”

– Pascal Paul, Nebraska Scouting Director

Nevada

+ Bryce McKnight, RHP (Foothill HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“McKnight put together his best performance of the season on the mound as he went the distance for Foothill on Monday, working six scoreless innings allowing just four hits and three walks while striking out six. The Falcons would go on to win 5-0 before and closed out their week with a split against Shadow Ridge, going 2-1 on the week while improving their record to 16-6-1 (4-3). McKnight, a West Coast Games alum, is one of the top uncommitted arms in the state and shouldn't be on the board for much longer.”

+ Tyson Leone, 1B (Reed HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“The uncommitted first baseman out of Reed provided a massive offensive boost this week for the Raiders as he picked up four extra-base hits in two games, including a pair of home runs. Leone put together one of the more impressive single-game performances our staff has seen this spring as he went 4-for-5 against Douglas with a pair of home runs, a double, three runs scored and eight RBIs. The Raiders would go on to win that one 20-10 before dropping a tight matchup against McQueen as they were walked off 9-8. It was a breakout week for Leone, who was a standout at the Reno Preseason ID, as Reed is now 13-8 (6-3) on the season.”

– Cam Black-Arajuo, West Coast Content Manager

North Carolina

+ Bryant Kimbrell, INF/RHP (Pinecrest HS, 2024) | Western Carolina:
“Good teams have good players and there are times in the season where good players can put their team on their back and carry them to victory. This week's North Carolina Player of the Week had one of those games. No. 17 Pinecrest played a three-game week with two conference games vs. Scotland and a third game vs. Northwood.

Kimbrell got one at-bat against Northwood, in game two of the week, but he walked twice and scored twice. In game three of the week, vs. Scotland, Kimbrell settled into his clean-up slot in the lineup and went to work.

His first at-bat of the night, Kimbrell hit a one-out, three-run homer to center field. His second at-bat would come in the second inning, again with two runners on, and Kimbrell again homered to center. In that same frame, Kimbrell would get his third chance of the night, this time with the bases loaded, and yet again, Kimbrell homered to deep to center field.

In that one game, Kimbrell would go 3-for-3 with three homers and 10 RBIs. He hit .750 on the week and scored five times himself. This is Kimbrell's second state Player of the Week honor in 2024. He was also honored for his performance the week of March 4-10.”

+ Andrew Corter, RHP (Chase HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“In a week that saw our closest online voting to date for North Carolina Pitcher of the Week, it took perfection to bring the award home. Corter worked a five-inning perfect game on just 57 pitches to help Chase split a week series with Hendersonville.

Coming off a Tuesday loss of 9-6, Corter got a strike out and two pop-ups in the first, and on 16 pitches. His offense then staked him to a 6-0 lead as he went back out for the second inning. From that point forward, Corter worked four innings, averaging just over 10 pitches an inning. In total, Corter threw 37 of his 57 pitches for strikes (65% strikes). He did not allow any base runners and recorded five strikeouts.”

– Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director

Ohio

+ Gavin Lawler, CF/RHP (Grove City HS, 2025) | Uncommitted :
“The toolsy two-way went 9-for-12 at the plate this week, and is now hitting over .550 on the season and he had 11 stolen bases this week (19 on the season). Defensively, the athletic outfielder had a handful of diving catches so far this season while manning centerfield for one of the top teams in the state. On the mound, the righty had 11 strikeouts and zero walks in a six-inning win. On the season: 16 IP (3-0), 0.87 ERA, 23 K, 2 BB.”

– Dylan Hefflinger, Ohio Editor-in-Chief & Scout

South Carolina

+ Collin Anderson, LHP (James Island Charter HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“This left-handed arm got the ball this past week and threw a gem on the night, throwing seven innings without allowing a hit, walked four, and K'd 11.”

+ Stow Rogers, C (James Island Charter HS, 2025) | College of Charleston:
“This player shined on the baseball field last week – Rogers was unbelievable this week as he went 8-for-11 with two doubles, three RBIs, and he stole three bases. He also drove in the game-winning run against Ashley Ridge, breaking a 4-4 tie at the time.”

– Sammy Esposito, South Carolina Scouting Director

Texas

+ Cort Lowry, RHP (Franklin HS, 2024) | Tarleton State:
“The Tarleton signee had a big week at the plate for the Lions. In eight at-bats, he had six hits, including three home runs and a triple. He ended the week with eight RBIs for Franklin as they finished the week 3-0. The senior is ranked No. 184 in the state and continues to have a solid season at the plate.”

+ Dillon Brandt, RHP (Dallas Jesuit HS, 2025) | Penn:
“Brandt struck out 17 of the 26 batters he faced during a complete game shutout where he only allowed three hits and a walk. The Penn commit led the Rangers to an 8-0 win as they try to stay hot as the playoffs approach.”

– Tyler Defibaugh, Texas Content Manager

Utah

+ Austin Park, SS/RHP (Juab HS, 2025) | BYU:
“Park is putting up big-time numbers right now at the plate and on the mound. The two-time Future Games participant is also headed back to the West Coast ProCase again this June. He was named a Player of the Week for the third time this season in Utah. For the year on the mound, he has just three walks and 47 strikeouts in 23.1 innings, and a 1.05 ERA. He hasn’t allowed an unearned run all year. He's touching 90 mph right now as a junior and threw his second straight no-hitter this past week. He went the five-inning run-rule with a walks and 11 punch-outs. The week prior he missed the perfect game by an error. Went five innings with 12 Ks. He has now thrown 10 consecutive no-hit innings with just one ewalks against 23 strikeouts. He's also hitting .589 in 18 games with 11 extra-base hits and 33 RBIs to go along with 13 steals.”

– Jeff Scholzen, Utah State Director

Virginia/DC

+ Cayman Goode, RHP (Douglas Freeman HS, 2024) | VCU:
“Cayman threw a complete-game shutout and struck out 16, and he was 94 mph. This was versus a top-20 team in the state with a handful of college commits on roster. Cayman recorded 22 swings and misses on the night and the curveball/slider grades out at as an above-average major league pitch. He was named the Player of the Week in VA/DC.”

– Jason Burton, Virginia/DC Scouting Director

Wisconsin

+ Kasey Helgeson, RHP (Barneveld HS, 2024) | Uncommitted:
“Helgeson was lights out across a couple of appearances this past week, failing to allow a run in seven innings pitched, and he also totaled 19 strikeouts. Due to his efforts over week Three of WIAA action, he has earned our ‘Prep Baseball Wisconsin Pitcher of the Week’ honors.

On Tuesday, Barneveld kicked off their season with a 14-2 win over Argyle-Black Hawk. In that one, he struck out seven in two innings, which yes, may not add up initially but one of them reached base after a dropped third strike in the first. In that one he also allowed just one hit and one walk in his short stint on the bump.

His second appearance of the week came a couple of days later on Friday. In that one, Helgeson was more than dominant, as he failed to allow a hit in his run-rule shortened complete game and he also tallied a whopping 12 punch outs. A dropped third strike was the only runner that would see time on the bases against Helgeson, but it was short lived as he was picked off before the next pitch was even thrown.

It seems that Helgeson is a multi-sport standout at Barneveld. On the gridiron, he threw for 29 touchdowns as Barneveld/Mount Horeb’s QB1 and he is fresh off averaging 18 points per game on the basketball court, too. His talents are certainly transferring over to the baseball diamond during the start of his senior season, and he earns our second ‘Pitcher of the Week’ award of the spring.”

+ Logan Dunn, OF/LHP (Wautoma HS, 2024) | Missouri State:
“Before the spring, Prep Baseball’s Managing Editor, Scouting Andy Sroka picked OF/LHP Logan Dunn (Wautoma, 2024; Missouri State) as a dark horse candidate for our ‘Player of the Year’ honors in a ‘Hotlist’ piece and after the first few weeks of action he has asserted himself into the conversation even more so. Last week in the WIAA, he was dominant at the plate, tallying a plethora of extra-base hits and he broke a school record along the way, earning Wisconsin's POTW honors as a result.

He and his Hornet squad kicked off the week with a dominant 13-3 win over Baraboo. In that one, Dunn was just one of the top producers, as he tripled and singled in his two at-bats, finishing with two RBIs in the win. Game two was a similar storyline for Dunn and Wautoma, as they grabbed their second lopsided win of the week, this time over Adams-Friendship. Dunn once again was a difference maker, tallying a pair of doubles and one more triple from the lead-off spot to drive in three runs.

Dunn also earned the win on the mound in their second game of the week. He cruised in his six-innings complete game effort, striking out nine and allowing just two hits while not allowing a walk. While Wautoma came out on the losing end in a close battle with Oshkosh West to end their week, Dunn still put together a standout performance. In his three at-bats, he doubled and singled, while walking once.

It was yet another dominant week from Dunn, something our staff has come to expect from the state’s No. 8 prospect and No. 338 nationally. He amassed five extra-base hits, finishing with a 7-for-8 week and he also broke the school record for stolen bases at 101, currently at 105 while being a perfect 15-for-15 on stolen base attempts.”

– Isaiah Glidden, Wisconsin Area Scout, Content Manager