National Player of the Week: 2/24 to 3/2
March 6, 2025
Today, we’re announcing our first National Player of the Week of the 2025 campaign, now that a larger portion of the country is playing high school baseball – and with each passing week, the number of states playing grows. With the powerhouse, warm-weather states in action, there’s been some huge performances from across the country this spring.
The following players were submitted by their coaches to our state directors and they went on to earn the Player or Pitcher of the Week award in those states. From there, we sifted through the country’s POTWs and selected the top performer among them, singling them out as the sole National Player of the Week. If you’re a coach interested in submitting a nomination this season but have not yet received that form so far this spring, visit our staff directory to find the contact information for the state director overseeing your state’s season coverage.
Our staff took player stat lines from the week of Feb. 24 through March 2 into account when determining these awards.
🏆 NATIONAL POTW
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Bryce Krenek LHP / Katy Taylor, TX / 2026“Krenek, one of the top junior southpaws in Texas, delivered an unforgettable performance last week, tossing a seven-inning perfect game with 18 strikeouts. The Houston native and Texas commit was untouchable on the mound, allowing zero hits, zero walks, and zero runs, dominating the entire game. We have already seen Krenek up to 92 mph this season, and his fastball-curveball combo continues to give hitters fits. His ability to command both pitches and generate swings and misses at an high rate makes him one of the top arms in the 2026 class. This latest outing only solidifies his status as a premier left-handed prospect in the state.” – Brandon Gowins, Texas Scouting Director |
STATE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Alabama
+ Alex Phillips, OF (Smiths Station HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Phillips, one of Alabama’s top uncommitted prospects in the 2025 class, put on a show at the plate during Week Two, proving why he's a highly sought-after talent. The right-handed hitter went 7-for-15 (.467) with two doubles, four home runs, and seven RBI while crossing the plate six times. Phillips' power surge was especially impressive as he homered in four consecutive games, solidifying himself as a real source for run-production in the heart of the Panthers' order. With his elite combination of power and consistency, he continues to raise his stock as a premier prospect in the 2025 class.”
+ Bryant Diddell, RHP (Mountain Brook HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Diddell, one of the top uncommitted right-handed pitchers in Alabama’s 2026 class, delivered a statement performance in Week Two, dominating on the mound against Wesleyan Academy (NC), the No. 48-ranked team in Prep Baseball's National Top-50 Rankings. The right-hander tossed a complete-game gem, going seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits, striking out 11, and issuing only one walk. His overpowering stuff and command were on full display as he silenced one of the top lineups in the country. With this dominant outing, Diddell continues to establish himself as a premier arm in the 2026 class.”
– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor
California
+ Rashad Hayes, SS (Bishop O'Dowd HS, 2025) | Stanford:
“Hayes, a junior from Bishop O’Dowd, has been named the California Player of the Week for Week Two of the high school baseball season. The Stanford commit had a big offensive week for the Dragons going 5-for-11 with a double, triple, and a home run. Hayes drove in two runs and scored four times in leading the Dragons offense for the week. Through three games of the early season, Hayes is hitting .455 with no strikeouts. He is slashing .500/1.000/1.500 in the early goings of his senior campaign. He also has added a pair of stolen bases with a perfect fielding percentage.”
– Les Lukach, California State Director
Florida
+ Joshua Jackson Valverde, LHP (Largo HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Joshua Jackson Valverde has been named Florida’s High School Pitcher of the Week for Week Three of the 2025 season, a recognition earned through his exemplary performance on the mound. Over the course of two outings, Valverde pitched seven flawless innings, allowing no hits, no runs, and no walks while amassing an outstanding 15 strikeouts.”
+ Jake Hooten, OF (Gulf Breeze HS, 2025) | Navy:
“Hooten, a '25 grad from Gulf Breeze, delivered an outstanding performance last week, earning him the title of Hitter of the Week in the state. Over the course of the week, Hooten went 6-for-14 at the plate, showcasing his power and consistency with four home runs, a double, nine RBIs, and five runs scored. His remarkable stat line highlights his ability to drive in runs and contribute significantly to his team’s success.”
– Rocco Iervasi, Florida Managing Director
Georgia
+ Braegan Cravey, BHP (Bleckley County HS, 2025) | Georgia Highlands JC:
“Cravey is certainly one of the most unique performers on this list for his ability to pitch both right- and left-handed. Well, that flummoxed his opposition last week, tossing a five-inning perfect game with 13 Ks, en route to being named Georgia's Pitcher of the Week.”
+ Robert Yagyu, 3B (Rockmart HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“This uncommitted senior was terrific last week for Rockmart, maintaining a very loud start to the season for the Yellow Jackets. Last week, Yagyu went 6-for-9 at the dish with four extra-base hits that helped him drive in eight runs, and he also earned two walks and swiped a bag. Half of his RBIs game on a game-tying grand slam which only helped his case to become Georgia's Player of the Week in Week 3 of the GHSA.”
– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director
Louisiana
+ Jairus Miller, LHP (Barbe HS, 2025) | Hill JC:
“Miller has been stellar through his first three starts this spring, compiling a 3-0 record with 41 strikeouts across 19 innings pitched, and he's yet to allow an earned run. Last week, in his start against Hardin-Jefferson (TX), the Hill JC recruit tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing only two hits with two walks and 18 strikeouts.”
+ Hudson Browning, C (East Ascension HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“The former Future Gamer has gotten off to a torrid start this spring, as he's currently hitting at a .550 clip with three home runs, eight doubles, a triple, and 17 RBIs. In five games last week, Browning went 12-for-16 (.750) with two home runs, four doubles, a triple, and drove in 13 runs.”
– Alex Armand, Louisiana State Director
Mississippi
+ Wyatt Pyron, RHP (Biloxi HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Pyron, an uncommitted senior at Biloxi, was dominant in his outing this past week against a very talented Petal squad. Pyron logged six innings of work on the mound, allowed just one hit, zero runs and tallied a total of 16 punchouts, earning Pitcher of the Week honors for Week Three.”
+ Adam Smith, OF (Houston HS, 2025) | Holmes JC:
“The Holmes JC recruit had a strong week at the plate for Houston. Smith was 12-for-16 (.750 avg) with six doubles, six runs batted in and also swiped six bags on the week out of the leadoff spot for the Hilltoppers offense earning Player of the Week for Week Three of this spring season.”
– Matt Miller, Mississippi State Director
Nevada
+ Brody Griffith, RHP/UTL (Desert Oasis HS, 2026) | Air Force:
“The junior committed to Air Force went 5-for-15 last week, and four of those five hits left the yard for Desert Oasis. He also recorded a win on the mound with a couple punch-outs in a clean five frames in which he was 88-90 mph.”
– Brett Harrison, West Coast Supervisor
North Carolina
+ Luke Roupe, RHP (Grace Christian Academy HS, 2025) | South Carolina:
“Amidst the pregame festivities of opening night, while new teammates received championship rings, Roupe seized the spotlight and dominated on the mound, throwing a no-hitter in his season debut. The imposing right-hander pitched a complete-game shutout, leading his team to a 10-0 victory in six innings. Roupe was nearly untouchable, striking out 15 batters on just 81 pitches, with 56 of them for strikes. The only baserunner he allowed came via a hit-by-pitch.”
– Brandon Hall, North Carolina & Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director
Texas
+ Lubin Rincon, SS (Shadow Creek HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“One of the premier sophomore shortstops in Texas, Rincon put together an impressive performance at the plate this past week, solidifying his reputation as a standout prospect from Houston. Rincon showcased his advanced hit tool and approach, going 11-for-16 (.688) with a home run, three doubles, six RBIs, and nine runs scored. His plate discipline was equally impressive, drawing five walks, further proving his ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities for his team.
Rincon’s ability to consistently barrel the baseball while also controlling the strike zone makes him a must-watch player in the 2027 class. His bat-to-ball skills and power potential continue to trend in the right direction, making him a key name for college recruiters and scouts to follow closely.”
– Brandon Gowins, Texas Scouting Director
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