MD/DE Scout Blog: #1 Conrad at #4 Caravel
April 23, 2026
Follow @PrepBaseballMD
Facebook & Instagram
On another beautiful afternoon across the First State, I made the trip up to Bear to see a sunset matchup as #4 Caravel, at 7-0 on the season, took on top-ranked Conrad, also at 7-0. This game would showcase one of the most electric atmospheres I've seen since I started scouting high school baseball, as hundreds of fans packed the stands and the fence for a night showdown under the lights. This game would last nearly 3 and a half hours in length, and Caravel would take an early lead. However, top-ranked Conrad would prevail on the road, giving Caravel their first loss of the season and defending their undefeated campaign with a 12-8 win.
It was a battle of two of the top seniors north of the capital, as Caravel's Garrett Bohn (East Stroudsburg) locked horns with Conrad's Nicky Dello Buono (Bloomsburg). Each team would get on the board first, as Conrad struck first with a double and a wild pitch from Sawyer DeLuca, before Caravel responded with an RBI single from Garrett Bohn. The Bucs added another in the second on an RBI single from Jayden Brown, before scoring a pair in the third and fourth, notching together singles and clutch hitting to give Caravel a 6-2 lead headed into the fifth. Conrad would put their foot down in the fifth, though, as a leadoff single from Justin O'Connor followed by a pair of walks would put them in prime position. The Redwolves exploded for eight runs in the inning, led by an RBI single from Dello Buono, followed by four straight RBI walks, and then RBI base hits from Mark Spoor and Sawyer DeLuca, giving the Redwolves a 10-6 lead. Each team would add a couple of runs apiece in the final innings, but 0 ER over 3.1 innings of relief from Sawyer DeLuca would secure the win, moving Conrad to 8-0 on the season, defending their top spot in the state.
#1 Conrad
 |
Nicky Dello Buono RHP / Conrad, DE / 2026I've had the opportunity to see all three of Dello Buono's starts to kick off the spring, all against top-15-ranked teams in Saint Mark's, DMA, and now Caravel. They are 3-0 in those games and he is a big reason why. The velo uptick has obviously been good to see, now consistently sitting in the upper-80s with the ability to grab 90-92 whenever he wants. He holds velocity well, and the development of a reliable second pitch to the arsenal, a mid-70s CH, has worked wonders to start the year, especially when late in counts for strikeouts. It's more of a contact pitcher over a strikeout pitcher, but he does a strong job at limiting hard contact while adding in a developing low-70s curveball. Bloomsburg is getting a good one next year on campus. 
|
 |
Justin O'Connor 3B / Conrad, DE / 2027One of our top offensive performers down at the 2025 Future Games, I've always been in love with the hit tool, especially the ability to work backside and gap-to-gap. O'Connor has put the hit tool on display across two different matchups, as he's collected four hits and five barrels in those games (video from both games below). It's an extremely physical frame with sub-7.00 speed to complement, making him a threat on the basepaths with the ability to stretch singles into hustle XBHs. The barrel feel through the zone is unlike that of anyone else in the state, and the high average speaks for itself. Consistent high-90s EVs into the low-hundreds, and unlike most, it's more of a middle-to-backside approach. As he starts to use his strength to pull the ball more consistently, I think we'll start to see the power showcase itself more in a game setting. One of the top uncommitted bats in the class. Video #1: vs DMA (4/10) // Video #2: vs Caravel (4/16) 
|
 |
Mark Spoor 2B / Conrad, DE / 2027One of my favorite hit tools in the class and across the state, Mark Spoor is an intriguing watch for any college coach looking for a left-handed stick to complement their incoming class. The junior is hitting a mind-boggling .615/.762/1.762, making him no easy out, and sitting right behind O'Connor in the lineup makes teams feel they have no good option to address that part of the order with runners in scoring position. There's some sneaky strength in the 5'9", 180-lb frame as he has launched two homers thus far in 2026, putting him in early contention for Delaware Player of the Year. The situation came up in the fifth inning of the Caravel game as Justin O'Connor was intentionally walked to bring up Spoor, who made them pay with a 2-2 fastball which he rifled into right-center field for a 2 RBI single to give Conrad an extended lead, making his swing the most pivotal of the night. Although he may not be a household name across the state, it's one to learn now and keep in mind as we head into a big summer campaign with DCP 2027. 
|
#4 Caravel
 |
Jakob Goldstein 3B / Caravel Academy, DE / 2027This was one of the best offensive showings we've seen from Goldstein so far in his high school career, as he collected three barrels in Thursday night's showing. Nearly left the yard in his first AB, flying out to deep right field before adding two barrels back up the middle, a sacrifice fly, and a single. This uncommitted junior continues to make strides on both sides of the ball as the hit tool continues to come into fruition, as it's an uphill bat path with a middle approach that can work across all fields. Goldstein also provides stability on the bump, working into the mid-80s with the fastball, and has been a reliable bullpen piece for the 8-1 Buccaneers. As we transition into the summer, this is a name to watch in Delaware's private school sector. 
|
 |
Jayden Brown 3B / Caravel Academy, DE / 2027This was my second look at the uncommitted junior this season, as the hit tool has certainly opened my eyes over the last few weeks. This is a name that I was not familar of heading into the spring, and his ability out of the leadoff spot has certainly impressed. Two barrels on Thursday night off low-90s velocity, fighting off an elevated fastball and dropping a shallow single into right field early in the game, adding a line drive single up the middle late. Patient at the dish with an above-average feel for the zone, he got ahead 2-0 in both counts before showcasing the hit tool. More of a compact frame, but definitely an intriguing leadoff stick for one of the top teams in the state. 
|
 |
Matthew Rice SS / Caravel Academy, DE / 2027Matthew Rice has always been a standout across the preseason circuit, but the in-game production is what I was excited to see heading into the spring. Across 3 games I've witnessed of Caravel, Rice has produced at least one hit and a couple of barrels in each showing, which included fighting off a first-pitch fastball for a single into right field, adding a fifth-inning sacrifice fly to left. It's the definition of a high-contact singles hitter, occasionally showing the gap-to-gap strength to pick up an extra-base hit. He continues to be a catalyst at the top of the order, adding reliable speed and arm strength at shortstop, continuously making the routine plays when called upon. 
|