Follow @PrepBaseballCA Follow @LesLukach Follow @vinniealfino42 Follow @hardy03bsbl Follow @HankLoForte

At The Yard Podcast: New Episode LIVE now!

Every week, coaches around the state submit their nominations for the Prep Baseball California Player of the Week for NorCal and SoCal. Week 8 Players of the Week honors went to Maddox Merrill (Clovis, 2026) and Kyle Sweeney (Sacred Heart Prep, 2027). Merrill had a productive week, going 5-for-9 with three extra-base hits, including two doubles and a triple, while being intentionally walked twice. On the season, Merrill is hitting .436 with eight doubles, three triples, 16 RBIs, and 20 runs. Sweeney delivered a dominant outing, throwing six shutout innings with 12 strikeouts, allowing just two hits with no walks in a 7-0 win over Mills. On the season, Sweeney is 5-0 over 24 innings with 44 strikeouts, allowing just eight hits and two earned runs, posting a 0.58 ERA.

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 8 DIAMOND NOTES

+ Dylan Seward, SS (Norco, 2027) — Tennessee commit

Seward had a strong week, recording six hits with a home run, four runs, and three RBIs. On the season, he is hitting .500 with 28 hits, 23 runs, 17 RBIs, five home runs, 10 stolen bases, and plenty of extra-base hits.

+ Sammy Kane, P/DH (Jesuit, 2026) — Oregon commit

Kane tossed a complete-game shutout, throwing seven innings with three hits and 10 strikeouts. He also contributed offensively, going 5-for-13 with two doubles, four RBIs, and three runs during a three-game sweep. On the season, Kane is 4-1 with a 1.67 ERA over 29.1 innings with 30 strikeouts, while hitting .311 with six doubles, a home run, and 13 RBIs.

+ Jackson Campbell, RHP (Mater Dei, 2026) — Notre Dame commit

Campbell picked up a win in the Boras Classic, throwing six innings while allowing one earned run and striking out seven. On the season, he is 3-2 with a 1.93 ERA over 25.1 innings with 23 strikeouts and a 1.26 WHIP.

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

Ourique delivered a complete-game performance against Orange Lutheran, throwing seven innings while allowing just two hits, one earned run, and striking out six with one walk.

+ Adrian Torres, DH (Kerman, 2026) 

Torres had a strong week at the plate, going 5-for-8 with four RBIs, five runs, a home run, and a double, helping his team secure key wins over Immanuel. He consistently drove the offense. On the season, Torres is hitting .358 with 19 hits, five doubles, and two home runs.

+ Camden Salisbury, RHP (McClatchy, 2027)

Salisbury tossed a no-hitter against Oakmont, allowing no hits while striking out five and walking two in a shutout win. The outing came in just his second start back from injury.

+ Dalton Deadman, CF (Petaluma, 2027) — UCSB commit

Deadman had a strong week, going 4-for-8 with three RBIs and a double, while continuing to play strong defense. On the season, he is hitting .393 with 22 hits, 10 stolen bases, and a 1.000 fielding percentage.

+ Christian Louie, RHP (San Mateo, 2026)

Louie delivered a dominant performance, throwing six innings with 14 strikeouts while allowing just one hit in a 3-1 league win over Half Moon Bay. He also contributed offensively with a double and a single. On the season, Louie holds a 2.70 ERA.

+ Jordan Vogel, SS (Arcadia, 2027)

Vogel had a strong week at the Boras Classic, hitting .462 (6-for-13) with a double, a triple, three runs, and a stolen base across four games. He consistently produced offensively. On the season, Vogel is hitting .415 (27-for-65) with seven doubles, three triples, a home run, 20 runs, 13 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases.

+ Ryan May, CF (Upland, 2027)

May had a big week, going 6-for-11 (.545) with three home runs, four RBIs, four runs, and a stolen base, highlighted by a two-home run game. He consistently drove the ball. On the season, May is hitting .400 (18-for-45) with three home runs, eight RBIs, 14 runs, and a stolen base.

+ CJ Weinstein, INF (Orange Lutheran, 2026) — LSU commit

Weinstein had a solid showing at the Boras Classic, hitting .364 with four RBIs. He continued to provide steady offensive production. On the season, Weinstein is hitting .368 with nine RBIs and five doubles.

+ Ricardo Hurtado, OF (Orange Lutheran, 2027)

Hurtado hit .455 during the Boras Classic with a double and a home run, providing offensive production in a competitive setting. On the season, he is hitting .310 with two home runs and a double.

+ Blake Killinger, RHP (Orange Lutheran, 2026) — LMU commit

Killinger started the Boras Classic championship game, throwing 5.1 innings while allowing one earned run and striking out four before exiting due to injury. On the season, he has a 1.50 ERA over 9.1 innings.

+ Marcus Greis, INF/RHP (Orange Lutheran, 2026) — TCU commit

Greis contributed out of the bullpen during the Boras Classic, throwing four innings with one save, allowing two hits and striking out four. On the season, he has worked 12.2 innings with a 1.66 ERA and 14 strikeouts.

+ Braden Ford, P/DH (Livermore, 2026)

Ford had a strong two-way week, going 7-for-9 with a home run, two doubles, five RBIs, and six runs, while also throwing four innings with five strikeouts and allowing one earned run. On the season, he is hitting .382/.476/.559 with a home run and seven RBIs, while posting a 1.94 ERA with 30 strikeouts over 21.2 innings.

+ Aaron Jeremic, RHP (Cosumnes Oaks, 2026)

Jeremic delivered a strong outing, throwing five innings while striking out 10, allowing two walks and one earned run. He showed strong command and swing-and-miss ability.

+ JJ Haley, CF (Corona del Mar, 2028)

Haley had a productive week, going 5-for-7 with four singles, a double, three RBIs, two runs, a walk, and a stolen base. He consistently got on base and contributed offensively. On the season, Haley is hitting .345 with four doubles, one triple, seven RBIs, 11 runs, four walks, and six stolen bases.

+ Wes Gomes, 3B (Murrieta Valley, 2027)

Gomes had a strong week, going 6-for-11 with two doubles and two RBIs in a series against Vista Murrieta. He consistently produced at the plate. On the season, Gomes is hitting .364 with six doubles, one home run, 18 RBIs, and 20 hits.

+ Andrew Nicklaus, C (Simi Valley, 2027)

Nicklaus had a monster stretch, going 5-for-7 with three home runs, a double, and 10 RBIs across two games. He showed elite power production. On the season, he is hitting .443 with 27 hits, five home runs, and 25 RBIs.

+ Ethan Williams, RHP (Los Gatos, 2026)

Williams tossed a dominant complete-game win, throwing five innings while allowing just one hit with no runs, no walks, and striking out 11. He controlled the outing from start to finish. On the season, Williams is 6-0 over 30 innings with 49 strikeouts, allowing just three earned runs.

+ Mason Harris, SS (Whitney, 2028)

Harris had a strong week against Rocklin, going 5-for-9 with five RBIs, a double, a home run, and a stolen base. He consistently impacted the game offensively. On the season, Harris is hitting .393 with 24 hits, 23 RBIs, six doubles, two home runs, and five stolen bases.

+ Tanner Garnett, RHP (Exeter, 2026)

Garnett delivered a dominant outing in a championship game, throwing seven innings with two hits, one earned run, and 18 strikeouts in a 3-1 win. On the season, he has recorded 27 strikeouts over 14 innings with a 2-0 record and a 1.48 ERA.

+ Brody Kaylor, SS (Buena, 2026)

Kaylor had an outstanding week, going 9-for-11 with two doubles, 10 RBIs, and five runs while not striking out. He consistently barreled baseballs. On the season, he is hitting .522 with a .560 OBP and a .913 SLG.

+ Andrew Cooper, LHP (Arcadia, 2028)

Cooper made his first career start count, tossing a complete-game shutout at the Boras Classic, throwing seven innings while allowing three hits and two walks. He has now earned wins in back-to-back appearances. On the season, he has thrown 18.1 innings with a 1.15 ERA.

+ Ezekiel Lara, OF (Mater Dei, 2026) — Georgia Tech commit

Lara helped lead his team to a 3-1 record at the Boras Classic, going 4-for-11 with two home runs and five RBIs. On the season, he is hitting .302 with three home runs, four doubles, and 17 RBIs.

+ Kai Bratton, RHP (Mater Dei, 2026) — Tennessee commit

Bratton earned a win in the Boras Classic, throwing 6.2 innings while allowing one earned run and striking out eight. On the season, he is 2-1 with a 0.84 ERA over 25 innings with 29 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .133 average with a 0.96 WHIP.

+ Adam Vitela, P/OF (California, 2027)

Vitela contributed on both sides, going 3-for-6 with two RBIs and three stolen bases at the plate, while also earning two wins on the mound, throwing 8.2 innings with 12 strikeouts and no earned runs, including a complete game. On the season, Vitela is hitting .379 with 22 hits and 10 stolen bases, while posting three wins with 58 strikeouts and a 1.92 ERA.  

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

---

MORE PREP BASEBALL NEWS