Sluggers, aces and more: 70 South Shore high school baseball players to watch this spring

When it comes to high school baseball on the South Shore, all eyes will be on Milton again this season as the Wildcats attempt to three-peat in Division 2.

They'll have to do it under new management as coach Brendan Morrissey stepped down to take the job at crosstown Milton Academy. Morrissey's successor is Greg Lannon.

Milton suffered serious graduation losses, but the Wildcats have been a model of consistency, winning their first-ever state crown in 2022 and then defending their title last spring despite graduating co-aces Charlie Walker (Northeastern) and Brian Foley (UMass-Lowell).

Abington also had a great 2023 campaign, losing in the Division 4 state final to Seekonk. Whitman-Hanson made it to the Division 2 semifinals (losing to Milton), and BC High (Division 1), Bridgewater-Raynham (Division 1) and Plymouth North (Division 2) all advanced to their respective quarterfinals.

If you want to brush up on your knowledge of the 2023 season before the 2024 gets into full swing, here's our final Top 10 ranking of the year, along with our All-Scholastic team.

These are the players to keep an eye on this spring:

Steve Madden, Abington

Senior shortstop/pitcher hit .307 last spring with 3 home runs while going 4-3 with a 2.22 ERA on the mound.

John Sellon, Abington

Senior left-handed pitcher/center fielder is a returning All-Scholastic. He was 6-0 with a 1.03 ERA heading into the Division 4 state final, a 5-0 loss against Seekonk. Also hit .273 with 5 doubles and 12 RBIs from the leadoff spot.

Wilfred Santiago, Archbishop Williams

Senior catcher from Avon was a Catholic Central League All-Star last spring, when he hit .417 with 2 homers and 23 RBIs in leading the Bishops (13-10) to the Division 3 Round of 16.

Chris Swirbalus, Archbishop Williams

Senior pitcher/first baseman from Hingham was 4-4 on the mound with a save and a 1.66 ERA last spring in leading the Bishops (13-10) to the Division 3 Round of 16. Enters his third season as the staff ace.

Luke Burns, Avon

Junior will be the Panthers' No. 2 pitcher and bat third in the lineup. "We're expecting big production from him," coach Ric Dockendorff said.

Jordan Medeiros, Avon

Junior pitcher won five games last season. He's moved up from No. 2 to No. 1 in the rotation this spring and also will bat leadoff. He's already thrown a 5-inning no-hitter against Norfolk Aggie.

Cole Bohane, BC High

Senior third baseman from Hingham was the Catholic Conference MVP last season when he hit .402 with 5 homers and 22 RBIs. Was named to the New England Baseball Journal All-State Team.

Sam Keene, BC High

Senior left-handed pitcher from Cohasset was a Catholic Conference All-Star last season when he was 4-2 with a 0.45 ERA. He's committed to Cornell University.

Tristan Camarra, Blue Hills

One of five returning starters from last season's Division 5 playoff team, he'll be the Warriors' ace on the mound.

Peter Brooks, Braintree

Sophomore shortstop was a late-season call-up in 2023 for the Wamps (11-11). He'll be their leadoff hitter this spring.

Hayden Regan, Braintree

Senior center fielder is an Endicott College commit who has transferred from BC High. Coach Bill O'Connell says, "He'll be a top-of-the-line hitter and lead the outfield."

Owen King, Bridgewater-Raynham

Junior captain/corner infielder is getting college looks as he returns to the middle of the Trojans' lineup.

Jack Ritchie, Bridgewater-Raynham

Senior right-handed pitcher was undefeated last season. The team captain is committed to Wheaton College.

Armani LoRusso, Brockton

A four-year starter behind the plate, he's a second-year captain for the Boxers. Coach Chris Brennan predicts he'll be "one of the better catchers in the area" this season.

Owen Lane, Canton

Senior captain will be a key to the Bulldogs' outfield. Was an All-Scholastic in football at quarterback this fall.

Kyle Redquest, Canton

Junior captain projects to be one of the Bulldogs' top pitchers this spring.

Tyler Alsen, Cardinal Spellman

Sophomore pitcher/outfielder enters his second season on varsity. He projects as the Cardinals' top pitcher.

Micheal Boutiette, Cardinal Spellman

Center fielder/captain brings three years of varsity experience and leadership to the table for the Cardinals.

Nate Dirado, Carver

Two-year captain plays both catcher and pitcher. He was a South Shore League All-Star last season.

Derek Lopes, Carver

Senior captain batted .390 last season en route to being a South Shore League All-Star.

Luc Lefevre, Cohasset

Senior left-handed pitcher was an All-Scholastic last season, going 9-2 with a 2.04 ERA and striking out 85 over 55 innings for the Skippers.

Jack Gallagher, Duxbury

Senior right-hander projects as the Dragons' top pitcher for new coach Rick Foresteire.

Matt Horgan, Duxbury

Senior center fielder will bat fifth for the Dragons and help anchor their lineup.

Joey Foley, East Bridgewater

Sophomore catcher is a returning South Shore League All-Star who is being counted on to provide pop to the Vikings' lineup.

Jaden Lovell, East Bridgewater

Returning South Shore League All-Star will be at the top of the Vikings' pitching rotation and in the middle of their lineup.

Gabe Knudsen, Hanover

Senior right-hander was the Patriot League Fisher Division MVP last spring when he was 6-2 with a 1.13 ERA and batted .375 with 16 RBIs. He had an 18-strikeout game against Scituate.

John McDonald, Hanover

Senior shortstop hit .406 last season with 12 RBIs, 23 runs scored and a 1.081 OPS. He made only 4 errors in 45 chances.

Jeremy Aylward, Hingham

Senior shortstop will serve as a captain for the Harbormen He'll continue his baseball career at Wheaton College in Norton.

Tadd Cavanaugh, Hingham

Senior third baseman will serve as a captain for the Harbormen. He's a three-year starter.

Chuck Luarasi, Holbrook

Senior center fielder/captain will be a key leadership figure on a team that features six eighth-graders, three of whom will be the primary pitchers.

Luke Dunham, Hull

Junior center fielder/captain will hit second in the Pirates' order. He missed much of last season due to injury.

Nick Tiani, Hull

Senior shortstop/captain will batt No. 3 in the Pirates' order. He hit .300 last spring.

Tor Maas, Marshfield

Junior right-handed pitcher/first baseman will be the Rams' cleanup hitter and a big part of their starting rotation. Standout football quarterback hit .287 as a sophomore.

Wes Staffier, Marshfield

Senior center fielder/left-handed pitcher will serve as the Rams' No. 3 hitter. Hit .467 last spring in just 5 games in a season compromised by injury.

Nate Goodine, Middleboro

Senior center fielder will be a key figure for the Sachems. Coach Josh Porter praises his leadership, adding, "Nate can win games with his glove and his bat."

Ryan Marzelli, Middleboro

Junior shortstop enters his third season as a starter. Leadoff hitter "has an extremely high baseball IQ," according to coach Josh Porter.

Harrison Hinkle, Milton

Junior center fielder will be a key piece of the Wildcats' three-peat bid. Said first-year coach Greg Lannon: "Harry is a dynamic athlete who energizes our lineup and plays great defense at all three outfield positions."

Scott Longo, Milton

Junior left-handed pitcher made an instant impact last spring as a transfer from Catholic Memorial, going 8-0 with a 1.71 ERA while batting .414 with 11 RBIs and 22 runs scored. Said first-year coach Greg Lannon: "Scott is a tremendous athlete and competitor on the mound, in the field, and at the plate."

Aidan Bridges, North Quincy

Senior pitcher projects to be the ace of the Raiders' staff. He had a sub-2.00 ERA over 50-plus innings in 2023.

Max Gaudiano, North Quincy

Junior catcher will be a three-year starter. Team captain and returning Patriot League All-Star will provide a middle-of-the-order bat for the Raiders.

Colin McCarthy, Norwell

Senior had a breakout season on the mound last spring. Coach John Jacobs said, "We're expecting big contributions (from him there), as well as at the plate."

Ky Princi, Norwell

Senior first baseman is a slick fielder who came on strong down the stretch last season to become one of the Clippers' best hitters.

Harrison Fitzpatrick, Oliver Ames

Coach Joe Abarr says the junior center fielder "hopefully will be the spark for us at the top of the lineup that he was last season." Fitzpatrick has gotten stronger and could provide more pop at the plate.

Lucas Riley, Oliver Ames

Left-handed pitcher/first baseman projects to be the Tigers' ace. Captain is a Merrimack College commit.

Gabe Rushing, Pembroke

Junior pitcher had a 3.10 ERA over 30 innings last spring. First-year coach Kevin Plant said Rushing "made a huge leap for us last year."

Aidan Sullivan, Pembroke

Senior catcher/first baseman hit .325 last spring. Wentworth Institute of Technology commit will be one of the players "we look to to really propel our offense," first-year coach Kevin Plant said.

D.C. Brown, Plymouth North

Senior left-handed pitcher threw two no-hitters last year – against Marshfield and Milton, the latter in a losing playoff game against the eventual state champ. Worcester Polytechnic Institute commit also plays first base and bats fifth in the order.

George Slauson, Plymouth North

Senior third baseman, a Saint Anselm commit, is "one of top five hitters we have had in the past 34 years," according to coach Dwayne Follette, who says Slauson "absolutely crushes the baseball as a left-handed No. 4 hitter."

Alex Carroll, Plymouth South

Two-year captain and three-year starter is "a pillar of leadership within our program," according to coach Walt Fust.

Jayson Rueh, Plymouth South

Junior outfielder is coming off a breakout season in which he hit .389 with 14 RBIs, 5 doubles and 2 triples.

Owen Desmond, Quincy

Senior center fielder/pitcher is a four-year varsity player for the Presidents.

Jack Dunn, Quincy

Senior shortstop/pitcher is a three-year varsity player for the Presidents.

Shawn Boostrom, Rockland

Senior bats in the middle of the Bulldogs' lineup and has been among the team leaders in RBIs and batting average for past three seasons.

Ben Caristi, Scituate

Junior captain is a returning starter at catcher. He caught all 135 innings for the Sailors last season and threw out 17 baserunners.

Ayden Lisi, Scituate

Senior captain anchors the infield defense at shortstop and hopes to provide a spark at the top of the lineup.

Jack Quigley, Silver Lake

Lakers coach Bob Savoy calls this Maine commit "one of the best shortstops in the state, a true five-tool player who can defend, has a strong arm from deep in the hole, can run, hit for average and power as well."

Collin Monteiro, Silver Lake

Senior third baseman also will see time on the mound. Coach Bob Savoy says the American International College commit "has gotten stronger each year, and the ball jumps off his bat."

Nick Arsenault, Southeastern

Senior captain will be looking to replicate his junior year in which he batted .392 for the Hawks.

Joseph Tully, Southeastern

Three-sport athlete will play catcher and pitcher for the Hawks. Said coach Eric Belton: "Joey has a cannon for an arm and will be tough for the opposition to hit or steal on."

Tommy Jenkins, South Shore Tech

Three-year returning southpaw will bat leadoff and split his time between the mound and center field.

Riley Siereveld, South Shore Tech

Returning two-year starter in the outfielder is a defensive standout who hit .423 last season.

Dom Belle, Stoughton

Senior captain will bring "great leadership and a big bat," according to coach Kevin Carty.

Hunter Malkin, Stoughton

Senior captain, a four-year varsity player, is expected to star on the mound and at the corner infield positions for the Black Knights. Said coach Kevin Carty: "I am expecting him to be a great leader while being our ace on the mound and one of our top hitters at the plate."

Jag Garces, West Bridgewater

Sophomore shortstop/pitcher will bat leadoff for the Wildcats. First-year coach Jay Costantino praised his "baseball instincts," adding, "He will be a player to watch in the South Coast Conference for the next three years."

James Sheedy, West Bridgewater

Senior pitcher/second baseman will anchor the Wildcats' rotation this spring. Said first-year coach Jay Costantino: "Just a pure strike-thrower who commands the zone."

Gill Dolan, Weymouth

Senior shortstop hit .506 last season with 20 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. UMass-Amherst commit set the program's single-season hit record with 40 as a junior and needs just 21 more to become the Wildcats' career leader.

Jack Reyes, Weymouth

Junior pitcher was 6-3 with a 2.01 ERA last spring, striking out 61 over 52 innings while allowing only 32 hits. Projects to be the ace of the staff.

Ryan Baker, Whitman-Hanson

Junior left-handed pitcher was terrific as a sophomore, going 6-1 with a 1.87 ERA and a team-high 62 strikeouts. He'll be the Panthers' ace.

Cam Beltramini, Whitman-Hanson

Senior captain hit .387 last season with 13 RBIs. Said coach Matt Henriksen: "Cam is an excellent catcher who controls the running game."

Evan Yakavonis, Whitman-Hanson

Senior shortstop/right-handed pitcher was 7-0 on the mound with a 1.59 ERA last spring. He's ticketed for Wheaton College.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: South Shore high school baseball players to watch this spring