Video: Chris Betts highlights
See Woodrow Wilson catcher Chris Betts in actionA pair of top-ranked pitchers are part of this week's MaxPreps National Player of the Year watch list. Justin Hooper of De La Salle and Juan Hillman of Olympia both figure to be early picks in June's MLB Draft, and their recent play has shown why they are so highly regarded.
MaxPreps National Baseball Player of the Year watch list
Kyle Tucker, Plant
Photo by Del Mecum
Tucker
is among the home run leaders in Florida once again this season, as he
has six round-trippers on the year. That gives him 26 total for his
career. Tucker is batting .400 on the season with 20 runs scored, 17
RBIs and six doubles.
Justin Hooper, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
The UCLA-bound lefthander got his season off to a rocky start with a loss to St. Mary's (Stockton) in which he went just two innings and gave up four runs (one of them earned). He has been outstanding ever since, though. In posting three wins and a no-decision, Hooper (3-1) has lowered his ERA to 0.93 and he has upped his strikeout total to 28 in 22.2 innings pitched.
Chris Betts, Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.)
One of the top catchers in the nation, Betts has come on strong of late, going 8-for-11 in Wilson's last five games. Included in that streak is a 2-for-3 effort with a home run in a win over San Clemente. For the year, Betts is batting .455 with 18 RBIs, five doubles and six home runs.
Nick Plummer, Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)
Plummer didn't start his season until April, but he's already putting up impressive numbers. In Brother Rice's first 12 games, he is batting .545 (18-for-33) with 19 runs scored, six doubles, a triple and two home runs. He also has 11 stolen bases. Plummer is one of the nation's top outfield prospects.
Juan Hillman, Olympia (Orlando, Fla.)
Hillman is once again having a strong season at the plate and on the mound for the No. 1-ranked Olympia Titans. He's showing why he is one of the more coveted pitchers heading into the Major League Baseball Draft, as he has an 8-0 record with a 1.37 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched. On offense, Hillman is among the team leaders with a .372 batting average, 18 RBIs and six doubles.
Austin Smith, Park Vista
Photo by Stuart Browning
Smith has helped keep the Cobras among the top teams in the nation this season. He has a 5-1 record with two shutouts and a team-best 71 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings pitched. He has a 0.74 ERA and has walked only 13 batters on the season. He also has a .313 batting average with three doubles.
Tristan McKenzie, Royal Palm Beach (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.)
McKenzie has put together some impressive numbers on the mound and at the plate for the Wildcats. He is batting .355 on the season, while on the mound he has a 4-1 record with 55 strikeouts and a 0.44 ERA in 32 innings pitched.
Drew Finley, Rancho Bernardo (San Diego)
Finley has already equaled his win total of last year and has easily surpassed his strikeout numbers from last season. He has hit double figures in strikeouts three times, including a 20-strikeout performance against Ramona. He added a 14-strikeout effort against Westview and had 14 strikeouts in a previous outing against Ramona. For the season, Finley is 5-1 with a 0.60 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 47 innings pitched.
Donny Everett, Clarksville (Tenn.)
Everett is 10 strikeouts away from the 300 milestone, as he has 97 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched this year. He also has a 7-0 record with a 0.76 ERA and he has walked just five batters this season. Also a threat at the plate, Everett is batting .422 with 25 RBIs, six doubles and a home run.
Tobias Myers, Winter Haven (Winter Haven, Fla.)
Myers is one reason why Winter Haven has been one of the top teams in Florida all season long. While posting a 9-1 overall record, Myers has struck out 92 batters in 59 2/3 innings pitched and has posted a 1.29 ERA.
