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Every week, coaches around the state submit their nominations for the Prep Baseball California Player of the Week for NorCal and SoCal. Week 3 Players of the Week honors went to Ezekiel Lara (Mater Dei, 2026) and Rallin Covey (Sacred Heart Prep, 2026). Lara had a monster week at the plate during Mater Dei's trip to Texas. The outfielder went 7-for-11 (.636) with three doubles, a triple, a home run, and 10 RBIs. Covey struck out eleven batters across six innings while allowing just one earned run. The USC commit now has 21 strikeouts and only two earned runs in 11 innings this year.

With several other impressive performances across the past week that were in the mix for both awards and deserve recognition, here is a rundown of some of the other standouts of the week. If you wish to nominate someone for Player or Pitcher of the Week, please be sure to fill out this form before noon on Mondays. 

WEEK 3 DIAMOND NOTES

+ Jake Ourique, RHP (Gahr, 2026) - Oregon commit

Ourique delivered a dominant outing against Bosco. The right-hander worked four scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out eight. Ourique controlled the tempo throughout the appearance and consistently generated whiffs.

+ Josh Priest, LF (Cathedral Catholic, 2027) — Arizona State commit

Priest delivered a perfect week at the plate in Cathedral Catholic’s two wins. The outfielder went 6-for-6 with two home runs, a double, five RBIs, a sacrifice fly, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch. Priest consistently barreled baseballs and was a major driving force behind the offense in both victories.

+ Garrett Gandolfo, 1B/RHP (San Juan Hills, 2026) — High Point commit

Gandolfo contributed on both sides of the ball during the week. At the plate he went 4-for-10 including a walk-off double against Brea. On the mound he earned the win against Cypress, throwing five innings while allowing three hits and striking out seven in an 11-0 victory.

+ Brady Abner, C (El Dorado, 2026)

Abner powered the Hawks’ offense during a 3-0 week. The catcher went 4-for-9 with a home run, a double, six RBIs, and three runs scored. Abner’s production in the middle of the lineup helped lead El Dorado to the undefeated week.

+ Jackson Whitesides, SS (Twelve Bridges, 2026) — William Jessup commit

Whitesides delivered a big performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two no-doubt home runs, four RBIs, and two walks. The shortstop continues to swing a hot bat, currently hitting .538 with a .625 OBP and 1.231 slugging percentage.

+ Rangel Alcala Garcia Jr., C/RHP (Rio Linda, 2028)

Garcia Jr. turned in one of the top pitching performances of the week, tossing a no-hitter. The young two-way player dominated hitters throughout the outing, showcasing his ability to command the strike zone and limit hard contact.

+ Ryan Wentworth, RHP (Damien, 2027)

Wentworth pitched well in his outing against Santa Margarita Catholic. The right-hander worked five innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out two. He limited baserunners throughout the outing and allowed only one runner to reach third base.

+ Johnny Coopman, P/INF (Pacifica Christian OC, 2026)

Coopman delivered a complete game shutout against Ocean View. The right-hander threw seven innings while striking out six and walking just one. Coopman needed only 80 pitches to finish the game and kept hitters off balance throughout.

+ Tate Belfanti, LHP (Cypress, 2027) — TCU commit

Belfanti dominated in his outing against Los Alamitos. The left-hander struck out 13 across six innings while allowing no runs. Belfanti continues to impress early in the season, holding a 2-0-1 record with 26 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA.

+ Will Stanley, RHP (Edison, 2026)

Stanley threw a complete game in Edison’s win over Canyon. The right-hander allowed four hits while striking out seven. Stanley has been consistent on the mound this season, currently holding a 1.53 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 13.2 innings.

+ Jacob Medina, RHP (Buhach Colony, 2026)

Medina delivered a complete game win, tossing seven innings while allowing just two hits and one run. The right-hander walked three and struck out four while needing only 83 pitches to complete the outing.

+ Ryan Lemaire, RHP (Monterey, 2028)

Lemaire turned in two dominant outings against strong competition. The right-hander first threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts against Wilcox before following with five shutout innings while allowing just one hit against Valley Christian. Lemaire kept one of the state’s top offenses quiet during the performance.

+ Hugo Marks, RHP/DH/3B (Washington–Fremont, 2026)

Marks continued his strong run on the mound with back-to-back complete games. In his latest outing he threw an 89-pitch performance with 11 strikeouts while allowing four hits. Marks also contributed offensively, delivering a go-ahead RBI double in the sixth inning.

+ Nolan Walker, SS/P (Pitman, 2026)

Walker led Pitman to a 3-0 week with a standout performance both offensively and on the mound. At the plate he went 5-for-10 with a home run, a triple, seven RBIs, and three walks. On the mound, Walker threw a complete game one-hit shutout against Buhach Colony.

+ Ricardo Hurtado, OF (Orange Lutheran, 2027)

Hurtado turned in a productive week at the plate, hitting .375 with an RBI and a stolen base. The outfielder is now hitting .364 on the season and continues to contribute to the Orange Lutheran offense.

+ Will Bandel, C (Temecula Valley, 2026) — UC Irvine commit

Bandel had an outstanding week both offensively and defensively. Behind the plate he controlled the running game with zero stolen base attempts against him while recording a back-pick. At the plate he went 6-for-7 with a triple, two doubles, five RBIs, and three runs scored.

+ Eli Palomino, RHP (El Diamante, 2027)

Palomino delivered a strong pitching performance, throwing a complete game shutout after initially entering the game in relief. The right-hander finished with eight innings pitched, allowing just three hits while striking out ten.

+ Will Chavez, RHP (Corona del Mar, 2026)

Chavez recorded the win against Pacifica Christian with a strong outing on the mound. The right-hander threw six innings while allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out three.

+ Caden Lauridsen, RHP (2027)

Lauridsen earned the win on the road at Servite with a strong outing despite challenging conditions. The right-hander threw five shutout innings while allowing three hits and striking out five without issuing a walk.

+ Dimitri Williams, OF/P (Bishop O’Dowd, 2026) — BYU commit

Williams continued his strong season with another big week at the plate. The two-way standout went 5-for-9 with two doubles, two home runs, four RBIs, four runs scored, two walks, and a stolen base. Williams is now hitting .600 through five games with nine hits and three home runs.

+ Charlie Sellman, P/CF (Bishop O’Dowd, 2027)

Sellman dominated on the mound in his outing, throwing four innings while allowing just one hit and striking out eleven. The right-hander showed impressive strikeout ability and topped out at 88 mph during the appearance.

+ Kalvin Okamura, RHP (Petaluma, 2027)

Okamura delivered two strong starts during the week. Across ten innings pitched, the right-hander allowed just five hits while striking out eleven and surrendering no earned runs.

+ Tyler Wertz, C/OF (Valencia, 2026)

Wertz had an excellent three-game stretch at the plate. The catcher/outfielder went 6-for-8 with two doubles, a triple, two walks, and two RBIs while scoring runs against Eastside College Prep, Cleveland, and Chatsworth.

+ Jacob Camas, RHP (Paraclete, 2026)

Camas turned in a dominant performance against Cantwell-Sacred Heart, tossing a seven-inning complete game no-hitter. The right-hander allowed just one walk while striking out five in the impressive outing.

+ Branson Wade, RHP (Laguna Beach, 2026) — LMU commit

Wade delivered a complete game performance in Laguna Beach’s 6-1 win over Dana Hills. The right-hander carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before finishing with three hits allowed and six strikeouts across seven innings.

+ Caden Lozano, SS (Patterson, 2027)

Lozano continues to lead Patterson High School's young team with consistent offensive production. Over three games he went 4-for-10 with a double, an RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base.

+ Parker Lipp, UTL/LHP (Jesuit, 2027)

Lipp contributed across multiple areas during a three-game stretch against St. Mary’s, Bellarmine, and Rio Americano. At the plate he went 4-for-8 with a double, a triple, three runs scored, and two RBIs. Lipp also threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

+ Ashton Hartman, C (Lower Lake, 2026)

Hartman turned in a strong offensive week, going 4-for-6 across two games. The catcher consistently put the ball in play and helped anchor the Lower Lake lineup.

+ Adrian Negrete, RHP (Lower Lake, 2027)

Negrete provided key innings out of the bullpen, throwing four innings of relief while allowing two runs against Maxwell.

+ Kai Watts, MI (California, 2027)

Watts delivered an outstanding week at the plate, going 5-for-9 with a home run, five RBIs, and four stolen bases. The middle infielder impacted the game both with his bat and his speed on the bases.

+ Mason Hawk, RHP (Santa Teresa, 2026) — Oregon Tech commit

Hawk delivered a dominant outing against Burlingame, throwing four no-hit innings while striking out seven. The right-hander walked three but kept hitters from making solid contact throughout the appearance.

+ Max Nylander, CF (Sacred Heart Cathedral, 2026) — Puget Sound commit

Nylander went 2-for-4 with a run scored in the matchup against Redwood. On the season he is now 6-for-12 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

+ Zach Stallworth, RHP (Sacred Heart Cathedral, 2026)

Stallworth turned in a solid outing against Redwood, throwing five innings while allowing two runs and striking out five. On the season the right-hander is 1-0 with eight strikeouts across eight innings.

+ Drew McClelland, SS (Bellarmine, 2026)

McClelland produced at the plate during the week, going 4-for-6 with a double, a home run, four RBIs, and four runs scored. He also provided strong defense at shortstop.

+ Anderson Vo, RHP (Cosumnes Oaks, 2026) — Concordia (NE) commit

Vo was outstanding on the mound in the win over Argonaut. The right-hander threw three scoreless innings, allowing no hits while striking out four to earn the victory. Vo has now thrown 8.2 innings on the season while allowing just one hit and striking out eleven, while also maintaining a perfect fielding percentage at second base.

+ Taytum Reeves, C (Vista Murrieta, 2026) — Texas Tech commit

Reeves had a standout offensive week, going 4-for-7 with a double, a home run, two RBIs, and six runs scored. The catcher also drew two walks, was hit by a pitch, and added a stolen base while posting a 1.843 OPS.

+ Drew Hamburger, SS (Homestead, 2026) — Washington University (St. Louis) commit

Hamburger continues to be a steady presence in the lineup, recording hits in each of the first four games of the season. The shortstop is currently hitting .462 with a 1.083 OPS and six hits.

Coaches, do you have a Player of the Week or top performer you'd like to nominate? You can bookmark this link and be sure to check your email inbox each Sunday night and Monday morning for our request. Simply send weekly details/stats to our scouting staff by Monday.

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
San Diego Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	03/21	Maranatha Christian - San Diego, CA
Inland Empire Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	03/29	Corona High School - Corona, CA
NorCal Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	03/29	Delta College - Stockton, CA
Central Coast Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	04/11	Buena High School - Ventura, CA
SoCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/03	Santa Ana, CA
NorCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/09	Islanders Field - Lathrop, CA
High Desert Summer ID	CA	06/17	Antelope Valley College - Lancaster, CA
Bay Area Summer ID	CA	06/30	Islanders Field - Lathrop, CA
San Diego Summer ID	CA	06/30	Maranatha Christian - San Diego, CA
Central Coast Summer ID	CA	07/08	Buena High School - Ventura, CA

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