Ground Forces Scout Blog: Version I
May 1, 2026
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It has been a busy spring so far for our ground forces staff, as they combined to cover double-digit games across the month of March, focusing primarily on the Bayside Conference and the CMC. Listed below is a compilation of nearly fifteen player standouts from the month of March, separated by staff member and listed alphabetically. Take a look below to see representatives from high schools across the state.
*Summer Showcase Schedule*
Koeneke's Standouts
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Jackson Branch OF / Col. Zadok Magruder High, MD / 2026Commitment: Wilson College (DIII) A nice addition to the middle of the Magruder order this spring, the recent Wilson College commit impressed from the jump with a barrel into right-center field for a line drive RBI double. Middle approach with an above feel for the zone, spraying bullets gap-to-gap as he has been a catalyst contributing to Magruder's long win streak this season. 
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Roman Cobb OF / Annapolis Area Christian, MD / 2027One of the more athletic outfielders in the private school sector, Roman Cobb made an immediate impression with a three-hit performance in an early spring scrimmage against a 1A powerhouse in Saint Michaels. Started his afternoon with a backside single to the right, before finishing with a pair of RBI knocks: a single into left and a double into the gap. Athleticism translates well in-game, especially the run tool. As strength continues to be added, the strong outfield arm (91 OF Velo) makes him a prime follow this summer for college coaches. 
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Landon Daniel C / Stephen Decatur, MD / 2026Commitment: Chipola College What may be the best pure hitter in the entire state, regardless of classification, Landon Daniel put the exclamation point on a massive rivalry game, eliminating a big seventh-inning deficit with a massive walk-off three-run homer out of right-center field. Even to this date, this may be the loudest and farthest homer our staff has witnessed all spring, as the power upside continues to show itself in-game, especially in situations where a swing such as his is needed. The Chipola commit has multiple clutch-time home runs this year, which include two on the road at Sussex Central and Indian River, respectively. 
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Caleb Loring RHP / Stephen Decatur, MD / 2026Commitment: Hagerstown Community College Our staff has had the opportunity to see Loring in two different matchups within a week, and both resulted in wins for his team. A bulldog on the mound, the ability to work deep into outings while getting better as the game progresses is one of many things that stand out, which includes a complete-game affair against Parkside, striking out ten. Fills up the zone and attacks hitters, working the fastball up to 87 this spring, but has been as high as 89 in previous looks. Extremely loose, long arm action allows for a tougher look, limiting hard contact. It should be a big-time piece for Decatur's pitching staff come the playoffs. 
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Tristan Merritt RHP / Parkside High, MD / 2026Commitment: Frostburg State Crossbody delivery stands out, making him a tough look for hitters. Confidence radiates, throwing the ability to pound the zone with all four pitches, especially the slider, in any count to induce whiffs in the zone. Merritt did not allow an earned run on the season until April 23rd and is currently sporting two no-hitters on the season. The fastball consistently sits mid to upper-80s, and there's more velocity in the tank to still be unlocked. Certainly one of the favorites to win conference pitcher of the year, putting his name into conversations for State Pitcher of the Year. Merritt vs Stephen Decatur: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 12 K 
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Bohrer's Standouts
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Cole Bratburd RHP / North Hagerstown, MD / 2026Commitment: Bethany College Made an immediate impact in a conference matchup against Smithsburg, showing off the explosive hit tool with a 3-for-3 start to the afternoon, launching two homers (including a grand slam) and a double while notching six RBIs in only three at-bats. Evident juice is shown to all fields with a middle approach, sporting a level swing through the zone. Reliable actions behind the dish make him an intriguing incoming freshman for a Bethany squad that is near the top of their conference. 
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Ryan Coulby 2B / Middletown, MD / 2027Our first look at Coulby came in an early spring scrimmage against Catoctin, and he showed that he plans to be an extremely impactful bat in the heart of the Knights' order, launching a two-run homer out of left-center to highlight a strong afternoon. It's a lean 6'1" frame with room to fill, making this one to follow as strength is added. Middletown is off to a scorching 13-3 start to the season, and Coulby's offensive profile is a big reason why, as he currently sits with the 4th-most homers in the conference (4) and impacts on the bump, running the fastball up to 81 in our look while sporting a 3.26 ERA over nearly 20 innings this spring. 
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Chase Cregger OF / Catoctin High, MD / 2028Catoctin sports a young roster in 2026, and one of their biggest surprises this spring has been left-handed swinging outfielder Chase Cregger, whom we had the opportunity to see early this spring. His lone hit in the scrimmage came with a line drive single over the second baseman's head into right-center. Compact 5'11" frame with a high-contact hit tool that has allowed him to sport the third-highest average on the team, currently hitting .378 through eleven games. 
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Hayden Hose SS / Clear Spring, MD / 2027Compact swing that shows power upside, spraying line drives to all fields, which included a first-pitch double that one hopped the fence in right-center. Gets the barrel through the zone quickly and has developed into one of the top hitters in the bottom half of the lineup, also adding a reliable factor on the defensive side of the ball up the middle. Also contributes with low-80s velocity on the bump. 
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Cole Jesson C / Clear Spring High, MD / 2027Catcher profile with physicality, translating to a couple of loud barrels in an early spring matchup against Williamsport. The loudest swing of the day came in the third inning with some bat speed, a rocket into the left-center gap for a 2 RBI double. The pullside juice has been on display all year, sporting a couple of homers and an RBI double off the fence in a late-season look on the road at Allegany. Every time we see Jesson, he produces consistent barrels with a left-to-center approach. 
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Eli Livingston OF / St. Paul's School, MD / 2026Commitment: Maryland Eli Livingston has been an impressive staple in front of our staff ever since he was in middle school, and the University of Maryland continues to do so with the hit tool on a common occurrence. Below was a backside bullet he lined into left field as he got the barrel down. The barrel feel has always stood out, and he continues to get better each and every year from an in-game perspective. 
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Matthew Rosner RHP / Landon School, MD / 2027Although known more for his abilities on the bump, he continues to get it done offensively as he leads top-25-ranked Landon in nearly every offensive category, making him one of the top two-way threats across the IAC. No stride approach, showing barrel feel with potential for increased bat speed, lining a single through the 6 hole in our look against St. Paul's back on March 13th. It's a durable 6'0" frame with more to dream on as the production is at an all-time high. Offensive Categories: .357 AVG (1st), 25 H (1st), 6 2B (T-1st), 2 HR (1st), 22 R (1st), 24 SB (1st) 
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Jaxon Teson OF / Smithsburg, MD / 2027One of our staff's biggest standouts so far this spring, Jaxon Teson has impressed in nearly all facets across multiple games and in front of multiple staff members. Turned in 3 RBIs on a double to left-center and a single back up the middle in their matchup against North Hagerstown, showing off a consistent hit tool with feel for in-game situations. It's a level swing that showcased some pullside juice with a two-homer game later in the spring, making him a red-hot name headed into a big-time summer mixed with above-average speed and defense out in centerfield. 
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