National Player of the Week: 3/23 to 3/30

April 3, 2025
By Andy Sroka
Managing Editor, Scouting

Today, we’re announcing our fifth National Player of the Week of the 2025 campaign, and we’re now into the thick of the high school baseball season, as each state has celebrated their opening day.

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.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Our staff took player stat lines from the week of March 24 to 30 into account when determining these awards.

🏆 NATIONAL POTW

Cole McLean LHP / OF / Taylor County, KY / 2026

“The future Vol made two starts last week and he was absolutely dominant in both wins, and he was named the Prep Baseball Kentucky HS Invitational MV-Pitcher after his second start of the week for the Cards, in which he K'd 11 in six shutout innings. Somehow, his first start of the week was even better, he punched out 19 batters – which was a Taylor County record – against Boyle County in the 2A state tourney. Here's his full line on the week: 13 IP, 0 R, 8 H, 2 BB, 30 K. He also tallied four hits over the weekend at the Invitational, including a home run.”

– Jamie Tessoff, Kentucky State Director

(2/8/25)

STATE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Alabama

+ Jace Duckett, OF/LHP (Madison County HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Duckett has been named Alabama's Mizuno Player of the Week after an outstanding performance at the plate, going 7-for-9 (.778) with two home runs, a triple, a double, nine RBIs, six runs scored, four walks, and two stolen bases. A top-15 prospect in Alabama’s 2027 class, Duckett played a pivotal role in leading Madison County to a perfect 3-0 week, improving their record to 14-4 in Class 4A. Also known for his low-80s fastball as a left-hander, Duckett continues to show one of the higher two-way upsides in the sophomore class in Alabama.”

(8/7/24)

+ Braylon Morris, RHP (Cottonwood HS, 2025) | Wallace-Dothan CC:
“Morris has been named Alabama's Mizuno Pitcher of the Week after delivering a dominant performance on the mound. The Wallace-Dothan CC recruit went 1-0 with seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out 13. Morris’ stellar outing helped lead Cottonwood to a perfect 3-0 week, improving their record to 15-4 and earning them a spot in the Class 2A top-10 rankings for the first time this season.”

– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor

California

+ Gary Morse, RHP (Orange Lutheran HS, 2026) | Tennessee:
“Morse, of Orange Lutheran High, has been named the California Pitcher of the Week after his record setting performance in his Week Six start of the high school season.

The 2024 Prep Baseball All-American was absolutely dominant in his outing last week against Granada Hills Charter, picking up where he left off from his previous start. Morse allowed a hit in the second inning and one in the third as the only two hits allowed in his complete game shutout. Morse finished with a school record 16 strikeouts in the game while touching 94 mph with the fastball. The 6-foot-8 righty has begun to find his groove in time for Orange Lutheran’s march through the gauntlet that is Trinity League play.
For the season, Morse is 3-1 with a 0.73 ERA having allowed just six hits with two earned runs and 28 strikeouts in 19 innings while opponents are hitting just 0.98 against him. Morse has played a major role in Orange Lutheran’s ascent up the Power 25 rankings to their current No. 2 position.”

– Les Lukach, California State Director

(All-American Game; 9/12/24)

Florida

+ Bryan Alonso, RHP (Alonso HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Alonso, a 2025 right-handed pitcher, was named Florida's Pitcher of the Week after delivering an outstanding performance, throwing a perfect game over seven innings with no hits, no runs, no walks, and 11 strikeouts. His final line on the week: 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K.”

+ Jayden Wise, C (Mount Dora Christian HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Wise, a '26 catcher from Mount Dora Christian, earned Florida's Hitter of the Week honors with an impressive 6-for-10 showing at the plate, driving in nine runs, hitting five home runs, and scoring five runs.”

– Rocco Iervasi, Florida Managing Director

Georgia

+ Cooper Underwood, LHP (Allatoona HS, 2025) | Georgia Tech:
“Underwood, who really stood out at February's Super 60 in Chicago, has just gotten better and better this spring, and he's Georgia's latest Pitcher of the Week after setting his school's record for strikeouts when he punched out 16 batters in a seven-inning one-hitter.”

– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director

(3/26/25)

+ Gaven Sears, C (Banks County HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Sears had a huge week for Banks, tallying five total extra-base hits, including a pair of homers, that helped him drive in nine runs on the week. He also earned three walks to reach safely in nine of his 11 plate appearances, and he swiped four bags on top of it all.”

– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director

(2/28/25)

Idaho

+ Beau Ramsey, RHP (Middleton HS, 2025) | Umpqua CC:
“Ramsey showed his dominance early this year, earning his second straight Pitcher of the Week award. He commanded the zone efficiently against Meridan, striking out 14 out of 17 batters faced. He gave up just one hit, a walk, on 71 pitches with a 69 percent strike rate. Ramsey has emerged as a standout player in the SIC and it is to be assumed that there will be a lot more action for the 6-foot-6 righty this spring.”

+ Jackson Gardner, SS/RHP (Sugar Salem HS, 2025) | Southern Idaho JC:
“Gardner had a huge week at the plate for Sugar Salem. Known more for how he spins the ball on the mound, he showed versatility and power at the plate this week, blasting two home runs, two doubles, and contributing 12 RBIs. He is a competitor on the mound, with a 2,500-plus spin on his slider, but his work in the offseason has shown with his ability to collect extra base hits early in the year for the Diggers.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager

(6/4/24)

Illinois

+ Landon Thome, SS (Nazareth Academy HS, 2026) | Tennessee:
“Thome had a strong week at the plate, going 7-for-9 with two home runs, two triples, two doubles, five RBIs, seven runs scored and four stolen bases. On top of that, one of the biggest storylines of Landon's week was heading down to Limestone High, the alma mater of his father and Hall of Famer, Jim. In that game, Landon went 3-for-3 with two home runs, two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk to help lead the Roadrunners to a 6-4 win.”

– Peter Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Asst. Scouting Director

(3/28/25)

+ Ryan Schaffnit, RHP (Morton HS, 2025) | Bradley:
“Schaffnit earned Prep Baseball Illinois Pitcher of the Week honors for the second straight week, the first time this has been done since the award has started. In the Potters' 2-0 win over Tremont, he tossed a complete game (7 IP) shutout with 14 strikeouts, one walk and only two hits allowed.”

– Gavin Smith, Manager, Content & Operations/Area Scout

(3/26/25)

Louisiana

+ Adam Guillet, LHP (Natchitoches Central HS, 2025) | Louisiana Tech:
“The Louisiana Tech recruit had a stellar week on the mound for the Chiefs, as they finished with a perfect 4-0 record last week to improve their season record to 19-6. Guillet earned his first win last Tuesday against Captain Shreve by throwing six shutout innings allowing only two hits with one walk and nine strikeouts on 83 total pitches. He then turned around and started again on Saturday against Byrd to earn his second win of the week after tossing five shutout innings allowing only two hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.”

+ William Nikolaus, INF (Dunham HS, 2025) | Nunez JC:
“The Nunez CC recruit had a stellar week at the plate for Dunham. Nikolaus got his week started off against Slaughter Community Charter by going 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored in the Tigers 15-0 victory. On Wednesday against Episcopal B.R., he collected four hits in five trips to the plate with a double, two RBIs, a run scored, and also stole a base. He then capped his week off against Class 5A Walker with another 4-for-5 outing with another double, two more RBIs, and three runs scored, and a steal. For the week, Nikolaus finished 10-for-13 (.769) with a home run, two doubles, eight RBIs, six runs scored, and he swiped a pair of bases.”

– Alex Armand, Louisiana State Director

Mississippi

+ Landon Stanley, SS (New Site HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“The senior went 7-for-10 on the week which included three doubles, a home run, and 12 runs batted in for the Royals. Stanley is hitting .407 on the season with two home runs, eight doubles, two triples, and 31 runs batted in. He is also 5-2 on the mound with a 1.30 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.”

+ Drew Davis, RHP (Sumrall HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Davis had an outstanding performance last week as he no-hit Columbia over seven innings with 14 punch-outs. On the season the sophomore is 4-0 with a 0.62 ERA and 44 strikeouts in just 22.2 innings.”

– Matt Miller, Mississippi State Director

(2/8/25)

Nebraska

+ Gage Gannon, C (Grand Island HS, 2025) | Cloud County CC:
“Grand Island went 3-0 during their first week of the season and Gannon, a senior Cloud County CC recruit, was a huge reason why. The senior catcher was 8-for-10 at the plate with two homers, two doubles, and he drove in nine runs total.”

+ Chase Neneman, RHP/SS (Gretna East HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Neneman, a sophomore, made two appearances during the opening week of action in Nebraska and he faced Elkhorn twice five days apart. Elkhorn must not have appreciated it, considering Neneman limited those bats to just a single run in each game, and he punched out nine batters in both outings. All in all, Neneman finished the week with 18 Ks in 12 innings, allowing just two earned runs on five hits, four walks.”

– Pascal Paul, Nebraska State Director

(3/2/25)

Nevada

+ Tanner Johns, 1B/OF (Palo Verde HS, 2025) | Grand Canyon:
“The GCU signee continues his massive year at the plate, earning him his second Player of the Week honors in Nevada of the season. His three-homer week shot him to the top of the state leaderboard in home runs.

This Palo Verde group has proven to be an offensive juggernaut and you always seem to find Johns somewhere in the middle of these offensive outpourings. His .423 batting average puts him among the top bats in the state with much more to come as he helps lead the Panthers to a deep playoff run. In total, Johns finished last week 6-for-9 with three homers, a double, and he drove in nine runs.”

(8/28/24)

+ Giovanni Guariglia Jr., RHP (Silverado HS, 2026) | TCU:
“The TCU commit continued his big year on the bump with an elite showing during his Week Four start, striking out 13 over his five innings pitched in a run-rule effort against Spring Valley. Guariglia has seen his game continue to trend each time out on this spring with much more projected to come as things begin to warm up.

We'll be updating our 'Heat Sheet' very soon here too, in order to include Guariglia's mid-90s fastball that we've become accustomed to seeing, which was also present at the Dodgers Elite Scout Day.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager

(8/28/24)

North Carolina

+ Josh Hammond, SS (Wesleyan Christian Academy HS, 2025) | Wake Forest:
“Hammond was a force at the plate, hitting .583 while collecting two home runs, two doubles, seven RBIs, and seven runs scored. His week was highlighted by a 2-for-3, two-homer, five-RBI performance, showcasing his ability to deliver in big moments.”

(3/8/25)

+ Brody Brannan, RHP/OF (South Central HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Brannon was nearly flawless on the mound, throwing seven no-hit innings while striking out 12 batters and allowing just one walk. He needed only 93 pitches, 61 of which were strikes, and faced the minimum 21 hitters, showcasing outstanding command and efficiency in a masterful performance.”

– Brandon Hall, North Carolina & Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director

(2/1/25)

Oklahoma

+ Kooper Ranallo, OF/LHP (Owasso HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“On the mound, Ranallo set the tone for his big week with his Tuesday night performance against Sapulpa. He was dominant, going the distance with seven innings of shutout baseball, giving up just two hits, and striking out 14 without walking a batter. At the plate, Ranallo was equally as impressive as he went 9-for-15 on the week with seven RBIs and he scored seven times, working out of the Rams' two-hole.”

– Bret Schwartz, Oklahoma Scouting Director

(3/6/25)

Oregon

+ Kaeden Cruse, INF (Grant HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“The righty earns Oregon's Hitter of the Week honors for Week Two after a superb offensive output, going 8-for-12 with three homers, four doubles and five RBIs. The senior also scored five runs and walked three times as a part of his massive week.”

+ Cole Crossley, LHP (Mountainside HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“The lefty wins Pitcher of the Week in Oregon after Week Two's action, in which he tossed a seven-inning no-hitter. Crossley walked just two batters and struck out 13, and he did not allow a run in this dominant outing. The senior was most recently seen at Prep Baseball's PNW State Games last summer.”

– Dylan Grenz, PNW Associate Scout

(7/30/24)

South Carolina

+ Bo Moody, RHP/INF (Georgetown HS, 2025) | Presbyterian:
“Bo Moody, delivered a dominant performance last week against Waccamaw, tossing a three-hitter in a seven-inning masterpiece. Moody was untouchable, striking out 11 batters, while allowing just three walks and just three hits over his outing. His ability to command the zone and overpower hitters played a key role in his team’s success.”

+ Miles Barbrey, INF (Fountain Inn HS, 2025) | The Citadel:
“Miles Barbrey, had huge performances last week. Barbrey was on fire, hitting .700 on the week, with two doubles, and .787 OBP. For his outstanding performance, Barbrey has been named the Prep Baseball SC Player of the Week.”

– Sammy Esposito, South Carolina Scouting Director

(10/27/24)

Tennessee

+ DJ Lowery, OF (Knoxville Catholic HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Lowery had a great week at the plate for the Irish going 9-for-16 with a triple, two homers, and 12 RBIs.”

+ Porter Murff, LHP (Clarksville HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Murff earned two wins this week vs. Kirkwood and Fairview (AL) without giving up zero hits in 8.2 innings. He was also part of a combined no-hitter vs. Fairview (AL) throwing five hitless innings. He would go on to collect 17 Ks in that span to just four walks. ”

– Hunter Martin, Tennessee State Director

(5/28/24)

Texas

+ Cooper Kent, OF/RHP (Bosqueville HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Cooper Kent was unstoppable at the plate in Week Six, earning Hitter of the Week honors with a scorching 11-for-13 performance. He showcased his power early, launching two home runs in the first inning against Rosebud Lott, setting the tone for an explosive week. Kent racked up eight RBIs, crossed the plate eights times, and added four stolen bases, proving to be a force on the basepaths. His all-around dominance made him an easy choice for this week's top hitter.”

+ Zeke Alexander, RHP (Wakeland HS, 2025) | UT Permian Basin:
“The UT Permian Basin commit delivered a dominant performance on the mound in Week Six, earning him Pitcher of the Week honors. Facing district opponent Creekview High, Alexander was nearly untouchable, throwing a complete-game shutout while racking up 16 strikeouts over seven innings. His overpowering stuff kept opposing hitters off balance all game, leading his team to victory.”

– Brandon Gowins, Texas Scouting Director

Virginia

+ Luke Smyers, LHP (Mills Godwin HS, 2025) | Alabama:
“The VA/DC Player of the Week returns for Week Two, and it goes to senior Luke Smyers from Mills Godwin. The Alabama commit had a standout night on the mound as well as at the plate. He worked into the sixth inning racking up 10 strikeouts and only giving up one earned run. He also delivered the walk-off hit and run to knock off the Atlee Raiders. It was a signature win for the Eagles early in the season.”

– Jason Burton, Virginia/DC Scouting Director

(3/27/25)

Washington

+ Orlando Young, RHP/INF (Federal Way HS, 2025) | Washington:
“This senior arm earned Washington's Pitcher of the Week honors for Week Thre after an outstanding outing, striking out 18 hitters in six innings pitched. The Washington commit allowed just one walk, while surrendering no runs or hits. Young is the No. 9-ranked senior in the state and a superb two-way talent.”