Prep Baseball Report

PBR Washington Diamond Notes - Weeks 6 & 7


Diego Solares

Each week, the Prep Baseball Report Washington staff will highlight some of the top performers across the WIAA landscape in this ‘Diamond Notes’ article. Players mentioned below had impressive performances across the board in the last 2 weeks leading up to playoffs

You can find previous editions by clicking HERE.

If interested in submitting a player to be mentioned in next week’s edition of ‘Diamond Notes’, shoot a direct message on Twitter to @PBR_Washington or via email to [email protected]

For now, here are the players that impressed in WIAA action. 

diamond notes

+ In one of the more ridiculous outings you’ll probably ever see, 3B/RHP Castle Keaton (Joel E. Ferris, 2023) punched out 21 batters in a seven-inning complete game. He struck out 21 of the 22 batters he faced, allowing one base hit with no walks in a 9-0 win. 

+ 1B/OF Ethan Bushman (Emerald Ridge, 2024) had a productive offensive showing, slashing .333/.636/.833. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound sophomore helped lead his team to an extra-innings victory, homering and scoring three times, including a walk. He walked twice and stole home in another victory, and walked twice again in a loss to Puyallup. 

+ MIF Hayden Dearie (Lakeside, 2022; New York University) picked up six total hits across two games for the Lions, including a double. Dearie drove three runs in and drew a walk, too. 

+ RHP Staely Moore (Anacortes, 2023) put his team in a strong position to take home a key conference game win over Lynden with a stellar outing on the mound. Moore threw 105 pitches in 6 ⅔ innings, scattering four hits and allowing only an earned run. He struck out six batters and elevated his season mark to 48 punchouts on the season to go along with a 5-1 record and 0.86 ERA. 

+ RHP Payton Graham (Kamiakin, 2022; Gonzaga) looked every bit the part of a high-end prospect to our scouts when we saw him on April 22nd. Graham bumped his best bults up into the 92-93 mph range, mostly pitching at 87-90 mph with his fastball. He mixed in a low-80s changeup and 76-79 mph slider as well, as Kamiakin won 14-8. Also helped out on offense, going 2-3 at the plate with a 3B and 4 RBI. 

+ Another high-follow prospect to pop on the 22nd to our scouts was RHP Spencer Green (Richland, 2023; Oregon State). The 6-foot-3, 185-pound junior came out hot in the first inning, bumping his heater up to 91 mph, pitching at 89-91 mph. Green also featured an above-average curveball in the high-70s, flashing enticing upside on the mound throughout his start. 

+ OF/RHP Leyton Lind (Kennewick, 2024) twirled five scoreless innings in an eventual extra-innings victory. Lind filled up the zone with a steady three-pitch mix, keeping his squad in a tight-knit contest and matching a high-powered arm inning-for-inning in the process. 

+ RHP Austin Egan (Rogers, 2023) went the distance in front of our scouts last week, scattering five hits across seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over Curtis. Egan worked in a quick, controlled tempo throughout his start, occasionally adjusting his arm slot to give a different look from time-to-time. 

+ RHP Matthew Britton (North Creek, 2023) had a historic performance in late April as he tossed the 1st no hitter in school history. Finished with with a final line of 7 IP, 0 H and 1 BB, 6 K. Then followed that up with 4.2 IP in relief and only 1 H allowed while punching out 4. Giving him 11.2 consecutive innings of 1 hit ball. Uncommitted. 

+ RHP Colton Kennedy (Lake Washington, 2022; Utah Valley) only allowed an earned run through six innings in an integral win for the Kangs. Kennedy worked up to 90 mph in the first inning, pitching at 87-89 mph with his fastball and integrating a curveball/changeup combo as his outing went on. Kennedy finished the day with 12 punchouts in his start, walking one and scattering six hits. Opposing Kennedy was RHP Kaden Alberghini (Liberty, 2022; Seattle), who provided intrigue on the mound in this quick look. Despite his team’s eventual loss, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Alberghini pumped his fastball at 85-87 mph early and featured a sharp slider in the mid-70s. 

+ ‘22 Maddox Lee (Liberty) was a one man wrecking crew on offense in their match-up against Lake Washington. Although Liberty was on the losing end up this one, Lee did everything he could to keep the Patriots in the game. Going 4-4 with 2 2B, R and 2 RBI. He was responsible for half of the teams hits in the contest. 

+ RHP Jacob Peterson (Skyline, 2023) played a key role in Skyline’s 2-0 victory over Lake Stevens earlier this week. Peterson held 83-85 mph with his fastball through five scoreless innings and landed his curveball for strikes when needed. He handed the ball off to LHP Madox Nicola (2023), who recorded the game’s final six outs en route to victory. 

+ An uncommitted name-to-know in the state’s junior class is RHP Wyatt Queen (Lake Stevens, 2023), who opposed Peterson in this hard-fought pitcher’s duel. Queen fired multiple 87 mph bullets in the first inning, pitching at 85-86 mph with downhill action. He also spun a 74-77 mph curveball to play off his fastball. 

+ Uncommitted '23 RHP Taylor Franklin (Bellevue Christian) continues to have an impressive season, especially on the bump. The big righty was sharp in the last 2 outings. Tossing 3 innings on Friday 4/29 with 0 hits, 1 BB and 7 K. He followed up that outing with 5 dominant innings last Tuesday, allowing only 1 hit and punching out 8. Bringing his season numbers to a 6-0 record with 38 IP, 3 ER, 4 BB and 63 K.