Here are 10 high school baseball players who should have an impact this season
Cumberland brought an end to a 30-year title wait, East Providence pitched its way to glory and a gifted pair of brothers helped power Mount Pleasant back to the top spot.
Last year’s state baseball playoffs brought with them different storylines. The Clippers reigned in Division I, the Townies conquered Division II and the Kilties gained momentum while taking out Division III.
Bishop Hendricken and La Salle both fell to Cumberland, with the Hawks dropping a pair of elimination games and the Rams coming up just shy in the best-of-three championship series. Michael Bradshaw and Luke Plumer topped the list of heroes for the Clippers, with the ace pitcher and clutch hitter doing the majority of the heavy lifting.
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East Greenwich couldn’t plate a run after winning the best-of-three opener against East Providence, stymied by a pair of fantastic mound performances. Dylan Annicelli and Tim Robitaille both threw shutouts in 1-0 triumphs, two sophomores coming of age well ahead of their time.
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Edward Roquez and Carlos Roquez were brilliant for Mount Pleasant, pitching and hitting their team to a five-game winning streak when it mattered most. The Kilties won three straight elimination games and controlled Exeter/West Greenwich by a combined 14-0 while sweeping the best-of-three championship meeting.
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Who will emerge in 2024? There isn’t a prodigy equal to former Bishop Hendricken left-hander Alex Clemmey, who was drafted in the second round and signed by the Cleveland Guardians. That’s rare in the state as a host of quality players remain entering the start of the regular season next week. Here are 10 of them to consider, and there will certainly be more heard from by the time any celebrating is done at Rhode Island College in June.
Griffin Crain
Senior, Bishop Hendricken
The Hawks likely need Crain to be a two-way factor if they hope to capture a state championship. He’s superb in the outfield and at the plate — his speed and bat-to-ball skills from the left side led to a spot atop the lineup and just one strikeout as a junior. How the Louisville commit performs as a left-handed pitcher could help determine Hendricken’s ceiling in 2024.
Patrick Jones
Senior, La Salle
Jones started a pair of games in the Division I title series last season and should be among the state’s top pitchers again. He’s just scratching the surface with a lean 6-foot-2 frame and the ability to throw three pitches for strikes from the left side. Jones is a Maine commit who could still add velocity and some bite on his off-speed stuff.
Jack LaRose
Senior, Bishop Hendricken
LaRose was an early commit to Connecticut and has spent the better part of the last two seasons proving why. He’s a dangerous left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup, a solid shortstop and a gutsy all-around competitor. The Hawks will likely go as he goes.
John Mass
Senior, Portsmouth
The state’s premier two-way player is looking for a third straight standout season with the Patriots. Mass touches 90 mph on the mound as a right-handed pitcher, is strong at shortstop thanks to his overall athleticism and tops the lineup with a smooth left-handed stroke. He’s committed to Boston College.
Adonis Medina
Senior, Central
A star for the Knights since he was a freshman, Medina has reached the final step in his four years on campus. He’s a natural defensive outfielder with a football player’s strength and speed. Medina is committed to the University of Rhode Island and will bring considerable upside with him to Kingston.
Carlos Merejo
Senior, Cranston East
There is no better power bat in the state. Merejo put together a three-homer game for the Thunderbolts last season, and the right-handed thumper isn’t exactly scraping the tops of fences when he goes deep. The catcher is committed to Central Connecticut State and should be offered an appropriate amount of respect by opposing pitchers in 2024.
Luke Plumer
Senior, Cumberland
It seemed like Plumer came up with every clutch hit for the Clippers last spring. His timely swings at the plate helped eliminate Hendricken and make the difference in three tense games with La Salle. Plumer also features a glove in the outfield you would expect from a multi-sport athlete.
Nick Spaner
Senior, Portsmouth
Spaner will be among the state’s best catchers this season. He’s a Holy Cross commit with future power-hitting potential in his wiry, strong 6-foot-3 frame. Spaner’s production in the middle of the Patriots lineup should help complement some of their table setters atop the order.
Gabe Tanous
Senior, Barrington
The returning Division II Player of the Year helped the Eagles to a strong regular season in 2023. Barrington would like to pay it off this time with some success in June, and the Central Connecticut State commit is an ideal leader. Tanous is an athletic shortstop who carries a solid bat and good speed atop the lineup.
Ryan Thompson
Senior, Bishop Hendricken
Thompson features a power bat at a premium offensive position. The University of Rhode Island commit is an extra-base threat every time he steps in from the right side thanks to his strong 6-foot-4 frame. Thompson was the everyday first baseman for the Hawks as a junior and could see the mound a bit as a right-handed pitcher this season.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 10 baseball players with potential star resumes
