Welcome to Diamond Notes: Weekly Top Performers. Each week, we shine a spotlight on exceptional high school baseball performances across the state, nominated by their coaches. From standout position players to dominant pitchers and versatile two-way players, we celebrate the best performances of the week. A heartfelt thank you to the many high school coaches who submitted nominations this week—your contributions make this feature possible. Let’s dive into the highlights and honor the talent on display!

Week 6 Hitters

Ben Bates C / Pensacola Catholic, FL / 2026 Bates, a 2026 outfielder/catcher, went 7 for 11 with 9 RBIs, 2 home runs, and 6 runs scored.

Preston Cole SS / 2B / St Johns Country Day, FL / 2027 Cole, a 2027 shortstop, had 3 hits in 5 at-bats with 3 RBIs, 2 home runs, and 3 runs scored.

Nate Downey SS / RHP / Master's Academy Vero Beach , FL / 2026 Downey went 6 for 8 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 6 RBI, and 3 stolen bases.

Max Helbling RHP / 3B / John Paul Catholic High School, FL / 2026 Helbling, a junior third baseman, went 5 for 11 with 7 RBIs and 1 double.

Jake Hooten OF / 3B / GULF BREEZE HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2025 Hooten went 10 for 17 with 10 RBIs, 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 10 runs, and 4 stolen bases.

Saul melendez SS / 2B / WEEKI WACHEE HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2026 Melendez, a 2026 shortstop, went 5 for 11 with 4 RBIs.

Cannon Murtagh OF / OF / Jesuit, FL / 2026 Murtagh went 4 for 10 with 3 RBIs, 1 home run, 1 double, and 4 runs scored.

Dylan Prince SS / 3B / DORAL ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2025 Prince went 6 for 7 with 5 RBIs, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, and 6 runs scored.

Week 6 Pitchers

Jayden Allen 1B / RHP / WEEKI WACHEE HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2028 Allen, a 2028 pitcher, went 1-0, pitching 4 innings with 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 5 strikeouts, throwing a perfect game in a 15-0 win against Tarpon Springs.

Wyatt Cantella OF / LHP / JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2028 Cantella, a freshman pitcher, went 1-0, pitching 5.2 innings with 2 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts.

Chase Carney OF / RHP / Winter Park , FL / 2025 Carney pitched 8 innings, allowing 1 run in a win against St. Johns Country Day.

Nate Downey SS / RHP / Master's Academy Vero Beach , FL / 2026 Downey pitched 5 innings with 8 strikeouts and 0 runs allowed in a 1-0 win.

Brayden Harris RHP / OF / St Johns Country Day , FL / 2026 Harris, a junior right-handed pitcher, went 1-0, pitching 6.1 innings with 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned run, 3 walks, and 14 strikeouts.

Drew Kunz RHP / Bishop Moore Catholic, FL / 2026 Kunz, a 2026 right-handed pitcher, earned a win, pitching 7 innings with 4 hits, 1 run allowed, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts.

Ethan Trivison LHP / 1B / JUPITER HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2026 Trivison went 1-0, allowing no hits, no walks, and striking out 8, one hit-by-pitch away from a perfect game.

Kline Cummings LHP / OF / Bolles, FL / 2028 Cummings, a 2028 left-handed pitcher, went 2-0 over 4 innings pitched, allowing 1 hit, 0 earned runs, 0 walks, and 3 strikeouts, while also recording 1 save.

Marcelo Rodriguez RHP / RHP / DORAL ACADEMY, FL / 2025 Rodriguez had 2 outings: in the first, he pitched 4 innings with 6 strikeouts, no hits, and picked up a win; in the second, he pitched an inning in relief with 3 strikeouts, no hits, and no runs.

Dion Wilburn RHP / F. W. BUCHHOLZ HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2026 Wilburn, a 2026 RHP, went 1-0, pitching 6 innings with 4 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 13 strikeouts.