Play Ball: 15 Greater Taunton area baseball players to watch this spring

Across the Greater Taunton area, the unmistakable sounds of pinging metallic bats and snapping leather gloves across local diamonds can only mean one thing: high school baseball is back.

The 2023 season was another fruitful one for local teams, capped off by Taunton (21-4, 12-4 Hockomock League) taking home its second straight Division 1 title against rivals Franklin. Bridgewater-Raynham (18-5, 6-2 Southeast Conference) captured the SEC title and made it all the way to the Division 1 Elite Eight before falling to Franklin, whose bid for an undefeated season was ended by the Trojans a few weeks earlier.

Bristol-Plymouth (11-8, 8-2 Mayflower Athletic Conference) claimed a share of the MAC Large title and qualified for the Division 3 tournament, falling to No. 28 Dover-Sherborn in the Round of 32. Last, but certainly not least, Dighton-Rehoboth (9-12, 6-9 South Coast Conference) started 1-10, but won eight of its last 10 games to qualify for the Division 3 tournament, with the Falcons falling to Greater Lowell Tech in the Preliminary Round.

While seven of the 12 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Baseball All-Scholastics have graduated, there's still plenty of returning talent and eager underclassmen looking to make a name for themselves this spring. Here are the 15 Greater Taunton area baseball players to keep your eyes on this season:

Zach Branco, Bristol-Plymouth

The senior first baseman/pitcher returns as one of the top bats in the Craftsmen order who can be counted on to drive in runs when he steps up to the sleep. He'll also look to expand his prowess on the mound in his final high school campaign.

Dwayne Burgo, Taunton

The senior outfielder and Wheaton College commit had a breakout campaign for the state champions last spring, batting .380 with 19 hits, 18 runs and 22 RBIs while recording 17 putouts without committing a single error. A clutch hitter with good speed and a strong glove, Burgo is one of the most well-rounded players at the Tigers' disposal who should once again be a key part of their success.

Andrew Cali, Taunton

The senior outfielder and Assumption University commit is another fast outfielder with a great glove and a strong bat, one which he put on display last spring going three-for-three with a run and three RBIs against Milford. Always a base stealing threat, expect Cali to continue to keep the opposition at bay.

Brayden Cali, Taunton

The senior second baseman and UMass Lowell commit is another strong all-around player for the Tigers. Last year, he batted 435 from the leadoff spot with 37 hits, 30 runs, 16 RBIs and a team-high 22 stolen bases while recording 34 putouts and taking part in nine double plays in the field. Look for him to once again get things started for the back-to-back defending state champions all season long.

Tyler Cattoggio, Bridgewater-Raynham

The junior first baseman/outfielder emerged as a presence at the plate for the Trojans last spring, showing his talents when he went two-for-three with his first career home run, a double and three RBIs against Dartmouth. Expect him to take on a even larger role for B-R this spring and expand upon his offensive abilities.

Johnny Escobalez, Taunton

The junior pitcher and 2023 Taunton Daily Gazette Baseball Player of the Year had one of the best debut seasons locally in recent memory. Despite starting off on JV, he wound up establishing himself as the ace of the Tiger rotation, going 5-0 allowing just six walks and no earned runs in 30 innings of work during the regular season. In the championship game against Franklin, he pitched all seven innings allowing an earned run on five hits while striking out four. The sidearm southpaw looks well set to continue to intimidate all opposing batters he faces and play a major role in Taunton's title defense.

Jamari Harris, Bristol-Plymouth

The sophomore catcher/outfielder will look to further establish himself for the Craftsmen after a solid debut campaign, one in which he drove in a pair of runs in both games against Old Colony. Expect him to continue to grow and improve as a player for B-P this spring.

Owen King, Bridgewater-Raynham

The junior infielder/pitcher proved to be a key utility man for the Trojans last season, leading the way at the plate against Barnstable with a triple and four RBIs while also going three-for-three with a triple and an RBI against Dartmouth. He performed well defensively in the infield corners and looks set to continue to grow and improve for B-R this season.

Will Labrie, Dighton-Rehoboth

The sophomore pitcher made himself a key piece of the Falcon rotation last spring, recording a complete game shutout allowing just a hit and four walks while striking out five against rivals Seekonk. He also went six innings giving up two runs and two walks while striking out five in a win over Oliver Ames. Expect him to expand upon his pitching prowess and come more into his own for D-R this spring.

Lucas LeTourneau, Dighton-Rehoboth

Ben Miller, Dighton-Rehoboth

The junior third baseman/pitcher played a key role in the Falcons' season turnaround last year, batting .329 with four doubles, two triples and 15 RBIs while he went 2-3 on the mound with 35 strikeouts in 31 innings of work. His talents were on full display when he tossed a complete-game shutout giving up four hits and two walks while striking out six while having a pair of hits and an RBI against Case. Expect him to once again be a leader at the plate, on the mound and in the field for D-R.

Brady Morin, Taunton

The senior pitcher/infielder and Johnson & Wales University commit is another top quality arm in the Tigers' rotation. Employed largely as a reliever last year, Morin showed his ability to retake control and quell opposing batters' on numerous occasions, even earning the win against St. John's Shrewsbury in the Division 1 Final Four. Expect him to build on his pitching prowess and help keep opposing batters at bay all spring.

Bobby Quill, Bridgewater-Raynham

The senior outfielder/second baseman was another strong contributor at the plate for the Trojans last year, driving in runs against Durfee and Brockton among others. Expect him to once again be someone B-R can call on in clutch this spring.

Jack Ritchie, Bridgewater-Raynham

The senior pitcher/shortstop and Wheaton College commit bounced back from injury last spring to become a key man on the mound for the Trojans. Some of his mot notable outings include tossing a complete-game no-hitter striking out two against Dartmouth and going five shutout innings striking out six against rivals Brockton. Look for him to build on his pitching prowess for B-R this spring.

Cam Wilbur, Bristol-Plymouth

The junior catcher was one of the top players at the plate for the Craftsmen last year, recording three hits against both Shepherd Hill and West Bridgewater. Expect him to continue to grow and improve at and behind the plate for B-P this season.

Taunton Daily Gazette sports reporter Cameron Merritt can be reached at cmerritt@tauntongazette.com. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @CamMerritt_News. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to the Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Watch out for these 15 Greater Taunton baseball players this spring