National Player of the Week: 3/3 to 3/9
March 13, 2025
Today, we’re announcing our second 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.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Our staff took player stat lines from the week of March 3 to 9 into account when determining these awards.
🏆 NATIONAL POTW
 |
Cameron Stutes OF / Barbe, LA / 2025“The Bucs got back on track last week with a perfect 5-0 record to move their overall record to 14-5, and Stutes was a big reason for their success. The Bossier Parish JC recruit, Stutes got hot after an 0-for-4 showing last Monday against Westlake. Last Wednesday, against St. Louis Catholic, he led the Bucs offense with a 3-for-4 effort with one double, three runs batted in, and three runs scored. Barbe then met up with Kelly Catholic (TX) for a three-game series that started last Friday with game one and was then followed by a double-header on Saturday. In the first game against the Bulldogs, he went 4-for-4 and hit for the cycle. He then finished his week off by going a combined 3-for-6 with a home run and a double with four RBIs, four runs scored, and two stolen bases. Stutes finished the week with a .556 batting average (10-for-18), two home runs, one double, two triple, 12 RBIs, 10 runs scored, and he also stole three bases.” – Alex Armand, Louisiana State Director |
STATE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Alabama
+ Brady Richardson, SS/RHP (Enterprise HS, 2025) | Troy:
“Enterprise's Richardson has been named Alabama's Mizuno Pitcher of the Week after a dominant complete-game performance in a win over Homewood. Richardson struck out 16 while allowing just two hits and no walks, holding opposing hitters to a .087 batting average in the shutout victory. A Troy recruit and a top-20 prospect in Alabama’s 2025 class, Richardson has been a key factor in Enterprise’s perfect 12-0 start to the season. His elite command and overpowering stuff continue to solidify his status as one of the state’s premier two-way talents.”
+ Jordon Lankford, 3B/SS (Geraldine HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“The Geraldine shortstop, Lankford, has been named the Mizuno Player of the Week after an outstanding performance at the plate, going 9-for-13 (.692) with two triples, a double, seven RBIs, nine runs scored, four walks, and a hit-by-pitch, resulting in an impressive .737 on-base percentage. Lankford, the No. 21 prospect in Alabama’s 2028 class, played a pivotal role in leading Geraldine to a perfect 4-0 record for the week. His ability to consistently get on base and drive in runs underscores his status as one of the top young talents in the state.”
– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor
California
+ Jackson Norum, OF (La Jolla Country Day HS, 2025) | Cal:
“Norum, a Cal signee, had a huge offensive week for the Torreys as they opened their season last week. Norum opened the season going 6-for-9 with a walk and an HBP in three games. Norum blasted two home runs and tallied seven RBIs as the Torreys finished the week 2-1 with their only loss being of the one-run variety in which he was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Throughout the week, Norum reached base safely eight times in nine official at-bats. One of the premier power hitters in SoCal, Norum has elevated himself into a must see player for MLB scouts.”
– Les Lukach, California State Director
Georgia
+ AJ Rice, RHP (Pickens HS, 2026) | Auburn:
“Rice has already been Georgia's Pitcher of the Week in 2025, and he nearly earned his second POTW honor last week too, after tossing his second no-hitter of the spring already. The Pickens junior righty struck out 16 batters in seven near-perfect innings, and he walked just one.”
+ Ethan Garrett, RHP (Pope HS, 2025) | Georgia Southern:
“Garrett threw a near perfect game against Sequoyah last week, locking down the win for Pope securing the no-hitter with just one walk, and he K'd six on 65 pitches.”
+ Cam Cooper, OF (Banks County HS, 2025) | Young Harris:
“Cooper had a huge week for Banks last week in which he went 6-for-11 – and five of those six hits traveled over the fence – and those five homers helped him drive in nine runs total on the week, and he still managed to steal seven bases when he wasn't already jogging around them.”
– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director
Louisiana
+ Bryce Wilson, LHP (Chalmette HS, 2025) | Louisiana-Lafayette:
“The former Future Gamer has been one of the most dominant arms in the entire state over the last couple of years, as evidenced by his 10 wins and 122 strikeouts a season ago. Wilson took a couple of tough losses in his first two starts this season against Holy Cross and Pope John Paul II, but he's really turned things on ever since then and has won his last three consecutive starts. His most recent start last Friday night against Newman, however, was undoubtedly his best start this season. The Louisiana-Lafayette recruit tossed a complete game no-hitter with only one walk and 17 strikeouts to lead the Owls to the 9-0 victory, and he did it on 97 total pitches with 73 strikes and only 24 balls. Wilson now has a combined 55 strikeouts across his 27.2 innings pitched and he is well on his way to matching or possibly even exceeding his strikeout total of last year.”
– Alex Armand, Louisiana State Director
Mississippi
+ Parker Helton, OF (Picayune HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“The uncommitted senior had an outstanding week collecting nine hits in 11 at-bats which included two triples, a double, and seven runs scored out of the two-hole for the Maroon Tide. Helton is currently hitting .528 through Picayune's first 11 games.”
+ Jarvis Woody, RHP (Ridgeland HS, 2025) | Pearl River JC:
“The former Future Gamer and Pearl River CC signee threw a gem over the Brandon Bulldogs, finishing with no hits allowed, no runs, and nine strikeouts. Woody has worked 17 innings on the season, allowing just four runs with 23 strikeouts.”
– Matt Miller, Mississippi State Director
Nevada
+ Tanner Johns, 1B/LHP (Palo Verde HS, 2025) | Grand Canyon:
“The future Lope was swinging the bat at a high level this past week in Palo Verde's three games against Clark and top ranked Basic Academy (twice) as he racked up five hits over his eight at-bats including a home run, a triple and a double. His offensive leadership helped lead the Panthers to a 2-1 week and Johns seems to just be settling into what is to come this spring, as he hit .625 on the week, raising his season average to .455 and things have yet to warm up. Keep an eye on Johns this season as a player who could potentially rack up multiple Player of the Week awards.”
+ James Whitaker, RHP (Bishop Gorman HS, 2025) | Northwestern:
“In an interstate battle against Southern California power St. John Bosco, Whitaker already looked to be in midseason form with a complete-game effort, allowing no runs with his mix proving effective throughout. The Northwestern signee struck out nine during his outing, proving himself as one of the top arms not only in the state, but in the West region, as he led the Gaels to an impressive 1-0 win. His final line that start: 7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 9 K.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager
North Carolina
+ Briggs McKenzie, LHP (Corinth Holders HS, 2025) | LSU:
“McKenzie, a 2024 Prep Baseball All-American, fired a no-hitter in a five-inning run-rule win for Corinth Holders. He earned the win working a complete game, striking out 10 batters on just 66 pitches.”
– Brandon Hall, Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director
Oklahoma
+ Rhett Winchester, OF (Edmond Memorial HS, 2025) | Barton JC:
“While there were multiple prospects from across the state that have gotten off to big starts, Rhett Winchester from Edmond Memorial is no different. The Barton commit has hit safely in every game so far this season out of the leadoff spot setting the table for a talented lineup and scoring nine runs en route. Winchester went a combined 11-for-14 on the week, including two doubles, a triple, and a home run, and he added five stolen bases on top of that. Winchester flashes the opportunity for both thunder and lightning out of the leadoff spot that can strike in a variety of ways.”
– Bret Schwartz, Oklahoma Scouting Director
Tennessee
+ Chase Gockenbach, 3B/RHP (Lakeway Christian HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“Gockenbach, a freshman from Lakeway Christian School, had a stellar performance at the plate throughout the week. With a .389 average at the plate in the opening week of the spring, Gockenbach added seven hits, four of those going for extra bases (3 2B, HR). On the mound, he pitched five innings for Lakeway Christian in a complete-game effort. Gockenbach picked up five punchouts, allowed just two hits, no runs and no walks, and 77 percent of his pitches landed for strikes as well. With four homers at the plate headed in the start of this week, Chase leads the nation as a freshman and leads Tennessee for all classes.”
+ Will Harmon, LHP (Greenville HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Harmon, an uncommitted junior, had an eye-opening performance on the mound to start his 2025 campaign. He got the nod and went six innings for Greeneville, allowing just two hits, no walks, no earned runs and tallied a total of 17 punchouts in their win.”
– Hunter Martin, Tennessee State Director
Texas
+ Cole Koeninger, SS/RHP (Keller HS, 2026) | Tennessee:
“Koeninger had an outstanding performance in Week Three, showcasing his offensive firepower at the plate. Across 21 at-bats, he posted an impressive .476 batting average and an eye-popping 1.665 OPS. Koeninger collected 10 hits, including five doubles and three home runs, driving in nine runs to fuel Keller's offense.”
+ Hunter Ortiz, RHP (Byron Nelson HS, 2025) | Weatherford JC:
“Ortiz delivered a dominant performance on the mound in Week Three, overpowering hitters with precision and poise. Across 6.1 innings, he allowed just one hit while keeping the scoreboard clean with no runs or walks surrendered. His command was on full display as he racked up 12 strikeouts, completely shutting down the opposing lineup. Ortiz’s dominant outing, led to a Byron Nelson 2-0 victory.”
– Brandon Gowins, Texas Scouting Director