National Player of the Week: 5/11 to 5/17
May 22, 2026
Today, we’re announcing our 12th National Player of the Week of the 2026 campaign as the spring season starts to conclude across the country.
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 May 11 to 17 into account when determining these awards.
🏆 NATIONAL POTW
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Jacob Seamon OF / Metrolina Christian, NC / 2027“The NCISAA 4A State Tournament was loaded with talent, featuring deep lineups and high-level arms across the final four teams. During the final week of play, Jacob Seamon propelled Metrolina Christian Academy into the State Championship Series with a historic performance. Facing NC’s No. 4-ranked team, Wesleyan Christian Academy, in the semifinals, Seamon delivered one of the top performances of the postseason. As the Warriors exploded offensively to secure their spot in the finals, Seamon went 5-for-5 and hit for the cycle. His stat line included two doubles, a triple, and a home run, while driving in nine runs and scoring four times. – Brandon Hall, Mid-Atlantic Supervisor |
Illinois
+ Ethan Bass, SS (Glenbrook North HS, 2026) | Wake Forest:
“Bass is our latest player of the week after finishing the week 7-for-14 with a double, four home runs, 10 RBIs, nine runs scored and four stolen bases. It was also a historic week for Bass, as he tied the single season home run record at Glenbrook North with eleven home runs so far in his senior season, tying former Major Leaguer Jason Kipnis from the 2005 season. His efforts at the plate helped Glenbrook North to a perfect 5-0 record on the week. Bass started off the week with two games against Deerfield. He started off the week on Monday with an 0-for-2 day with two walks and a run scored. It was a cold start to the week, but he would answer back the next day with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate. On the day, he hit a double, a home run, drove in five runs and scored three times, while also drawing a pair of walks as well. His two-run home run was a walk-off home run that secured a 13-3 win in the sixth inning.
"Glenbrook North would see St. Viator on Wednesday, where they would take them down by the score of 8-7. Bass would finish the day 1-for-4 with a run scored. They would again see Deerfield where Bass would continue his strong week with another home run in a 1-for-3 day, logging a walk, three RBIs and a run scored in a 7-3 win. The Wake Forest commit continued his home run crusade on Saturday, finishing his week with a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate. He clubbed two home runs, walked once, drove in two and came across to score three times in a 6-3 win over Mundelein.
"Bass is one of the top players in the nation, currently ranked at No. 31 nationally in the 2026 class and sits at No. 2 in the Illinois rankings. Standing in at 6-foot-1, 185-pounds with plenty of athleticism, Bass has advanced tools on both sides of the ball that put him in a position to find himself selected in the 2026 MLB draft in July.”
– Peter Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Asst. Director
Indiana
+ Cutler Chastain, LHP (Bedford-North Lawrence HS, 2027) | Indiana State:
“The Indiana State recruit helped BNL to their first Hoosier Hills Conference Championship in school history during Week Seven to earn him Indiana's latest Player of the Week honors. Across two dominant performances on the mound, Chastain struck out 26 batters across 13 innings pitched, allowing zero runs. He also collected four hits throughout the week, three of which went for extra-bases.”
– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana State Director
Kansas
+ Max Evans, SS (Russell HS, 2026) | Butler CC:
“Evans continued his historic spring for Russell, entering regional play as the state leader in hits with a batting average well north of .600, while also eclipsing 150 career strikeouts on the mound. The dynamic two-way standout delivered a masterclass in the Broncos' regional opener last Wednesday, firing a five-inning no-hitter with 13 strikeouts, while simultaneously going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, an RBI, and three runs scored to capture this week's award.”
– Eliott Wilk, Central Region Ops., Area Scout
Kentucky
+ Carson Mills, OF (Taylor County HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“The junior outfielder was a machine at the plate all week, helping power the Cardinals through a perfect 4-0 stretch that included three run-rule victories and a huge win over Marion County to clinch a regional tournament spot. Mills turned in a dominant week offensively, going 8-for-11 (.727) with seven runs scored and four RBIs. The athletic outfielder put his speed on full display, swiping three bases while legging out a pair of triples and adding a double to finish with three extra-base hits. Taylor County erupted for 49 runs across four games, and Mills was right in the middle of the offensive explosion despite missing Thursday’s run-rule win over North Hardin. The 5-foot-9, 197-pound uncommitted junior pairs strength with athleticism, posting a 6.97 time in the 60-yard dash, 96 mph exit velocity and 87 mph outfield velocity. The recent transfer from Campbellsville has made an immediate impact in his first season with the Cardinals. On the season, Mills is now hitting .411 with 37 hits, 27 runs scored and 19 RBI, while adding 16 extra-base hits, 10 stolen bases, and seven walks. After suffering back-to-back losses to rival Campbellsville the week prior, Taylor County responded in a major way at exactly the right time.
"With Campbellsville now eliminated from postseason play, the Cardinals suddenly find themselves as the highest ranked team remaining in the 5th Region and firmly in the mix for another trip to Lexington. If Mills and the Cardinals can continue to ride this momentum into the postseason, another deep run could very well be in store for Taylor County.”
+ Andrew Holder, RHP (Boyle County HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“The sophomore righty closed out the regular season in dominant fashion, tossing a complete game no-hitter in a 12-0 victory over Washington County to help propel the Rebels into postseason play. Holder was incredibly efficient throughout the outing, averaging just over 10 pitches per inning while throwing 68 percent strikes en route to a 76-pitch complete game. The 6-foot-1, 155-pound two-way standout was in complete control from the first pitch, going through the opening five innings without reaching a single three-ball count and finishing the game facing just two batters over the minimum. The young right-hander consistently attacked the zone and missed barrels all afternoon, recording 11 strikeouts with seven coming off swing-and-miss. Holder’s command and tempo allowed Boyle County to cruise behind one of the more impressive pitching performances of the week across the state. Holder has been a major piece of an incredibly deep Rebel pitching staff this spring, now totaling 43.1 innings with a 3.23 ERA, striking out 54 and posting a 6-2 record through 10 starts.
His emergence gives Boyle County yet another reliable arm as the postseason ramps up. The Rebels secured their spot in the 12th Region Tournament last night with a district win over Garrard County and now set their sights on a return trip to the state tournament.”
– Jamie Tessoff, Kentucky State Director
Minnesota
+ Brandon Stafford, LHP (Rogers HS, 2026) | Western Kentucky:
“Stafford turned in a masterpiece on Tuesday, throwing a dominant complete game no-hitter to lead the Rogers Royals to a 7-0 victory over the Coon Rapids Cardinals. The stellar performance was punctuated in the final frame when Stafford struck out Brady Leckner to secure the final out and lock down the hitless gem.”
– Andy Judkins, Minnesota State Director
North Dakota
+ Gus Pankratz, OF (Fargo Davies HS, 2026) | Alexandria CC:
“Pankratz pumped five extra-base hits last week, 11 hits in total, including three home runs that helped him drive in 12 RBIs as part of a massive week for the Eagles.”
+ Alex Seaver, RHP (Red River HS, 2026) | Iowa Central CC:
“Seaver tossed a no-hitter in North Dakota last week for the Riders, punching out 17 batters in seven frames with just three walks – and he also threw an immaculate inning in the outing. He's the No. 4-ranked player in the Dakotas.”
– Dayne McNaughton, Upper Midwest Staff
Oregon
+ Zack Hankins, LHP (Taft HS, 2026) | Oregon:
“The Taft High arm was exceptional last week, throwing a no-hitter to win Oregon's Pitcher of the Week honors. The lefty allowed no runs, striking out 17 with just two walks allowed. The top-10 ranked senior in the state was seen at PNW Preseason All-State last winter before securing his commitment.”
+ Jacob Rolling, SS (Jesuit HS, 2026) | Gonzaga:
“The Jesuit High senior had a huge set of games, finishing the week 7-for-8 to win Oregon's Player of the Week honors for Week Nine. The righty slugged two home runs, plating two runs with 10 RBIs. The Future Games alum is committed to play college ball at Gonzaga next year.”
– Dylan Grenz, Pacific Northwest Asst. Scouting Director
South Dakota
+ Bryton Stroh, OF (Brandon Valley HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Stroh had seven hits last week as he helped push the Lynx to make the state tourney. Three of his seven hits went for extra bases, including a homer in the first game of their super regional. Stroh also drove in five runs en route to the Dakotas' Player of the Week award.”
+ Kade Wede, RHP (Harrisburg HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“In the first game of regional action, Wede threw a one-hitter against Tea in which he K'd 17 batters in seven innings and allowed just the one knock and one walk in a dominant outing for one of the top uncommitted players in the Dakotas.”
– Dayne McNaughton, Upper Midwest Staff
Virginia
+ Ryan Steeper, INF (St. Anne's-Belfield HS, 2026) | Washington & Lee:
“While the Saints came up a little short in the VISAA DI State Championship game, it was not because of a lack of production from Ryan Steeper. The do-it-all senior capped off his career with a 4-for-4 performance on Saturday, including three home runs and a hard-hit single. In addition to his epic performance in Saturday's finale, the Washington & Lee commit also threw three solid innings on the mound and had a another home run in the semifinals on Friday. Steeper has been a huge bright spot for STAB all season and his four homerun performance in the final two games of the season was just a small glimpse into the type of season he had.”
– Jason Burton, Virginia/DC State Director
Washington
+ Neal Burtis, LHP (Tahoma HS, 2026) | Oregon State:
“The senior from Tahoma has been electric all spring and carried it over to the district playoffs, throwing a seven-inning no-hitter to win the state's Pitcher of the Week. The lefty allowed no runs, walking just one walk while striking out 10 in a 2-0 victory to send his team to state. The Oregon State commit has been trending upward all spring and has some MLB Draft buzz heading into the summer."
+ Jake Miller, SS (Sumner HS, 2027) | Washington:
“The Sumner junior and Washington commit was hot across three playoff games last week, going 5-for-9 with four extra-base hits to win the state's POTW award in Week 10. The lefty bat slugged two home runs and two doubles, adding four runs, five RBIs and two walks on the whole. The talented infielder has been a huge force for Sumner this spring after a strong look at PNW State Games last summer.”
– Dylan Grenz, Pacific Northwest Asst. Scouting Director
Wisconsin
+ Brady Berg, C (Stratford HS, 2026) | UW-Stevens Point:
“Berg was unstoppable at the plate this week for Straford. The left-handed bat helped lead the Tigers to a 3-0 week with dominant wins over Auburndale twice and Chequamegon. Berg would end his week 7-for-9 with 11 RBIs, two home runs, three doubles, six runs, and three walks. In his senior year, he is now batting .361 with 33 RBIs and 10 extra base hits, closing in on 100 career RBIs.
"In Straford's first game against Auburndale, Berg would go 1-for-3 with five RBIs, one run, and two walks. The left-handed bat broke open the game at the top of the second with a grand slam to put the Tigers up 5-1. They wouldn’t look back, finishing in run-rule style by a score of 16-2 in five. In their next game against Auburndale, Berg would one-up himself, going a perfect 4-for-4, with four RBIs, two runs, two doubles, and a solo shot. An explosive performance at the plate led the charge to another five-inning run-rule, 11-0. In his final game of the week, the Tigers would face off against Cheqamegon, where they would collect their third run-rule victory in a five-inning, 11-0 victory. Berg would again go a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBIs, three runs, a walk, and a double.
"Currently ranked No. 217 overall in the Wisconsin '26 class, the 6-foot-1, 188-pound senior has always been a producer throughout his years at Straford. One of the top D3 schools within the state, Berg looks to lead the charge as we enter crucial weeks, inching closer to playoff baseball.”
+ Ethan Jeffers, RHP (River Falls HS, 2026) | Gustavus Adolphus:
“Jeffers was dominant in River Falls 2-0 victory over No. 2-ranked Hudson this past Tuesday. The righty led the way, providing a two-hit shutout on the mound while also providing some insurance at the plate. Jeffers would reach base safely twice, with a stolen base and scoring a pivotal run to get the Wildcats on the board. Jeffers tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk, while striking out eight. The righty gave a star-filled Hudson lineup fits all night long en route to a dominate performace on the mound. On the season, Jeffers has posted a 1.40 ERA, with a 4-2 record, four complete games, .857 WHIP, and .190 BAA.”
– Kyle Rodriguez, Midwest Analyst
