The Arizona Republic's Top 10 high school baseball Players of March 4-9; vote in poll
It was a big week for breakthrough performances across Arizona high school baseball last week (March 4-9). The Arizona Republic ranks the Top 10 players of the week with input from coaches.
Top 10 Baseball Players of the Week
1. Cam Caminiti, Scottsdale Saguaro, LHP/OF, Sr.
He struck out the first 16 batters in a 10-0 win over Glendale Deer Valley, giving up no hits and one run over five innings. Two runners reached base on strikeouts that went past the catcher. After walking the last batter he faced, the runner at third was thrown out to end the inning. At the plate, he went 4-for-6 on the week with a home run, a triple, a double, a single and four RBIs.
2. Noah Allison, San Tan Valley Poston Butte, SS, Sr.
In three wins, he was 8-for-11 with five doubles, a triple and two home runs. He scored eight runs, batting leadoff.
3. Drew Heinze, Gilbert, P/OF, Sr.
He pitched eight full innings, throwing a total of 89 pitches, for a win over Glendale Mountain Ridge. He gave up two earned runs and five hits with one walk and five strikeouts.
4. Trevor Carlson, Tucson Tanque Verde, RHP, Sr.
In a 1-0 win over Tucson Sahuaro, he pitched a complete game, striking out six.
5. Michael Nicolini, Surprise Paradise Honors, P, Jr.
In two games, he was 4-for-9 with a double, home run, five runs, three RBIs and two stolen bases. He picked up two pitching wins, striking out a total of 10 batters and not giving up a run.
6. Brett Crossland, Phoenix Mountain Pointe, P, Jr.
He pitched six innings, striking out 10, and giving up two hits in a win over Cave Creek Cactus Shadows.
7. Jet Gonzalez, Gilbert Higley, CF, Jr.
He hit .600 with a home run during a 2-1 week with the lone loss coming against No. 1 Queen Creek Casteel.
8. Landon Hairston, Casteel, OF, Sr.
He went 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs in a 15-1 win over Chandler, and 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI in a 7-0 win over Higley.
9. Easton Almeida, Gilbert Campo Verde, RHP, Sr.
In a win over Scottsdale Desert Mountain, he pitched seven innings, striking out six and giving up one earned run on 8 pitches. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and two RBIs.
10. Johnny Casale, Phoenix Brophy Prep, LHP, Sr.
In a 13-0 win over previously unbeaten Phoenix Sunnyslope, he worked six innings, giving up three hits and striking out five.
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Honorable mention
Gavin Smith, Basha, 3B, Sr.
The Harvard commit blasted two home runs last week, including one that sparked a 5-3 win over then-No. 1 Queen Creek Casteel.
Brayden Bullard, Phoenix Pinnacle, INF/OF, Jr.
He went 5-for-7 on the week with a double, four runs scored, and two RBIs in wins over Yuma Gila Ridge and Phoenix Desert Vista.
Payson Lee, Tanque Verde, OF, Sr.
He was a single away from hitting for the cycle in a 13-3 win over Tucson Empire. He had a double, a triple and a three-run home run.
Alec Schaeffer, Goodyear Estrella Foothills, OF, So.
He went 6-for-11 on the week and is hitting .600 on the season.
Juan Hernandez, Tucson, P, Jr.
In a 1-0 win over Nogales, he gave up just one hit, striking out eight and walking two in seven innings.
Kyle Pederson, Avondale West Point, P
He threw five innings in a 10-0 no-hitter and hit a three-run homer.
Jorge Cordero, Phoenix North Canyon, P, Jr.
He pitched a complete-game 6-3 win over Lee Williams, giving up two earned runs and striking out seven.
Hunter Dye, North Canyon, Jr.
He had a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to boost the team to a 6-3 win over Lee Williams.
Nate Carrillo, Scottsdale Horizon, RHP/C, Sr.
He went 6-for-9 with two doubles, a home run and three RBIs and got the pitching win against Peoria Centennial.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Arizona Republic's Top 10 high school baseball Players of the Week
