Spring Forward: 2020's To Watch
January 9, 2018
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The spring cannot arrive fast enough. Now just under two months away from the start of practices, we decide to spring forward again. So far we have looked into the following categories:
Today we look at the sophomores to watch this spring. One of the biggest development periods for a player is after a freshmen (or first) season on the varsity squad in high school. That year has its ups and downs and is truly a growing period as a lot of these young talents fight with the transition of being a big fish on their 13u and 14u teams and then now all of a sudden are competing against 17 year old's that don't care how many middle schoolers' they dominated. Usually after the season is over is when you see these young men grow into their own after realizing that they do belong and can compete with older athletes. Sometimes it happens during the year and sometimes after the season. These are all players who could have a big impact with their teams this spring or play a bigger role.
Spring Forward: 2020's To Watch
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Alex Greene OF / RHP / DeMatha, MD / 2020The Top Player in the 2020 class has come into his own over 2017, beginning to hone in on the huge amount of talent that he showed heading into the year. A true two-way talent with pop at the plate and a power arm on the mound. Greene put together a solid freshmen campaign for DeMatha and look for this Virginia commit to take another big step this upcoming spring for the Stags.
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Jack Bulger C / 3B / DeMatha, MD / 2020Greene's teammate at DeMatha had a great offensive season for DeMatha, hitting over .300 on the season as a freshmen and emerging as a middle of the order type bat early on with pop. Bulger continued to develop over the summer of 2017 with his big bat and made large jumps behind the plate as well. Bulger, a Vanderbilt commit, has the potential to transform into a dynamic offensive threat over this spring.
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Sangho Baek RHP / James M. Bennett, MD / 2020Baek emerged for Bennett in 2017 as a key arm in the rotation with his excellent command of the strike zone with a fastball that has been as high as 84 mph. Baek has an advanced maturity on the mound in his ability to control the running game and his command of the strike zone, showing confidence in his big breaking ball. Look for more of the same in 2018.
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Matthew Bobrowski SS / OF / Leonardtown, MD / 2020Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 5
You could easily make a case for Bobrowski putting together the top freshmen season in the state, hitting over .500 for Leonardtown in 2017. This talented middle infield prospect quickly emerged as name that is sure to drive coaches in Southern Maryland mad for the next few years. Although it may be tough to hit over .500 every year, expect another solid season for Bobrowski.
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Bobby Duffy 3B / RHP / North Harford, MD / 2020Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 1
Duffy was a big contributor for North Harford in his freshmen season, showing his two way ability and garnering 2nd team All UCBAC in 2017. Duffy has some pop at the plate with a strong arm and room for growth who should take another step forward heading into his sophomore campaign.
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John Carter RHP / Smithsburg, MD / 2020Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 2
This tall and projectable righty came into his own as the year progressed for a young Smithsburg squad that made a nice late run in the MPSSAA playoffs in 2017. Carter should continued to develop with his lanky projectable frame and potential for more.
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Nick Marley SS / RHP / Damascus, MD / 2020Rankings StateRank: 38 / POS: 11
Marley transferred to Damascus this year after spending his freshmen year at Good Counsel. Although it will be hard to break into a roster from a talented 2017 team with majority of the squad returning, Marley is another weapon for the Swarmin Hornets who will add depth to this 2A West contender.
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Ethan McCormick SS / RHP / Archbishop Spalding , MD / 2020Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 3
McCormick has turned himself into a nice prospect over the summer as he has begun to fill out his projectable frame and shown off his athleticism. McCormick brings two way potential and his development this season could pay nice dividends for Spalding this 2018.
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Joshua Moylan 1B / 3B / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2020Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 1
Speaking of Spalding, Moylan should add another big bat for this young and talented roster heading into the 2018 spring. Moylan is a middle of the order type bat with power potential and could also grow into a big role for Spalding as a sophomore.
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Jordan Peyton SS / RHP / Riverdale Baptist, MD / 2020Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 2
This slick fielding middle infield talent is one of the more steady gloves in the state and also brings a strong arm from a youthful frame that he is still growing into. Peyton, a Radford commit, will be an interesting prospect to keep an eye on at the traditional independent powerhouse that is Riverdale Baptist.
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Daniel Walter LHP / 1B / Smithsburg, MD / 2020Yes, Smithsburg does has two arms in this section. Walter is a low 80's arm right now with quick arm speed and potential to add more velo as he grows. His breaking ball has swing and miss potential and should only get better with more innings on the mound. This lefty should add some depth to an already pretty deep pitching staff with Noah Allen and Cam Kutchey.
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