FL Hitter/Pitcher of the Week: Week 5
March 17, 2026
The 2026 high school baseball season has officially kicked off, bringing with it a wave of standout performances across the state. Each week, coaches will nominate exceptional athletes for Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, from which we’ll select the top four candidates in each category for a public vote via a Twitter (X) poll. Fans will have the power to crown the weekly winners, while those nominees who don’t make the final cut will still receive recognition in our Weekly Diamond Notes article, published every Wednesday.
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Hitter of the Week: Week 5
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Orisjoe Valdes OF / 1B / Southwest Miami Senior High, FL / 2026Valdes was an unstoppable force at the plate last week, putting up eye-popping numbers to take home Hitter of the Week honors. The senior anchored the offense by going a scorching 6-for-11 on the week, generating 10 RBIs while also crossing the plate for four runs scored. His ability to drive the baseball with authority was on full display, as he hammered one double and launched two home runs. Week 5 Stats: 6-11, 10 RBI, 2 HR, 1 2B, 4 R |
Runners Up:
- Alex Rodriguez (Plant City) - 7-10, 4 RBI, 3 HR, 3 2B, 7 R
- Caden Coleman (North Broward Prep) - 5-11, 8 RBI, 3 HR, 4 R
- Tavis Honeycutt (Newberry) - 3-4, 5 RBI, 3 HR, 7 R, 7 BB
Pitcher of the Week: Week 5
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Clayton MacConnell RHP / 1B / Melbourne Senior High School, FL / 2027Melbourne junior Cayton MacConnell was a shutdown arm last week, earning Pitcher of the Week honors for his brilliant work on the mound. The 2027 right-hander served as a highly reliable and dominant force for the Bulldogs, proving he has the stamina and stuff to control games across multiple appearances. MacConnell took the ball for two outings during the week and delivered 8.2 shutout innings of relief and starter work. He stifled opposing offenses, scattering just four hits with issuing zero walks. MacConnell racked up an impressive 12 strikeouts over his combined appearances. Week 5 Stats: 8.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 K |
Runners Up:
- Camden Boehm (East Lake) - 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 14 K
- Reed Thomas (Buchholz) - 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K
- Ryan Harless (Mosley) - 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 16 K
Upcoming Events
| Showcase | State | Date | Location |
| Florida Rising Stars Games (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 04/04 | Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL |
| Tallahassee Summer ID | FL | 05/26 | Tallahassee State College - Tallahassee, FL |
| Tallahassee Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 05/26 | Tallahassee State College - Tallahassee, FL |
| East Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 06/02 | Cacti Park - West Palm Beach, FL |
| Tampa Summer ID | FL | 06/03 | Saint Leo University - Saint Leo, FL |
| Tampa Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/03 | Saint Leo University - Saint Leo, FL |
| Bradenton Summer ID | FL | 06/10 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Bradenton Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/10 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Fort Myers Summer ID | FL | 06/16 | Bishop Verot - Fort Myers, FL |
| Fort Myers Rising Stars ID (2030-2031Grads) | FL | 06/16 | Bishop Verot - Fort Myers, FL |
| West Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 06/23 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Gulf Coast Summer ID | FL | 06/23 | Orange Beach Sportsplex - Orange Beach, AL |
| Gulf Coast Rising Stars ID | FL | 06/23 | Orange Beach Sportsplex - Orange Beach, AL |
| Miami Summer ID | FL | 06/24 | Doral Academy - Doral, FL |
| Miami Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/24 | Doral Academy - Doral, FL |
| Jacksonville Summer ID | FL | 06/30 | Jacksonville University - Jacksonville, FL |
| Jacksonville Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/30 | Jacksonville University - Jacksonville, FL |
| Orlando Summer ID | FL | 07/07 | The First Academy - Orlando, FL |
| Orlando Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 07/07 | The First Academy - Orlando, FL |
| Savannah Summer ID | FL | 07/07 | Benedictine Military School - Savannah, GA |
| Savannah Rising Stars ID (2030 & 2031 Grads) | FL | 07/07 | Benedictine Military School |
| Clearwater Summer ID | FL | 07/14 | Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL |
| Clearwater Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 07/14 | Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL |
| Senior Future Games (Class of 2027) | NATIONAL | 07/21 | LakePoint Sports |
| Future Games (Class of 2028) | NATIONAL | 07/22 | LakePoint Sports |
| Junior Future Games (Class of 2030/31) | NATIONAL | 07/23 | LakePoint Sports |
| 2026 Southeast Super Sophomore Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 08/01 | LakePoint Sports - Cartersville, GA |