25 Seacoast baseball players to watch from 12 high schools in 2024

The high school baseball season in 2024 will feature many strong teams in Seacoast New Hampshire and southern York County, Maine. With the season about to begin, we take a look at the players to watch around the Seacoast in the 2024 season.

Our list of players includes the Newmarket High School team, which won the 2024 Division IV state championship in New Hampshire and will be looking for a sixth straight appearance in the title game this year.

Some of these players are looking to lead their teams on another deep playoff run, such as Portsmouth and Winnacunnet, which were Division I quarterfinalists last year. St. Thomas Aquinas in Division II and Marshwood in Class A South in Maine both reached semifinals.

Dover's duo and Exeter's junior shortstop on this list in D I, along with players from Somersworth (D-III), Portsmouth Christian Academy (D-IV) and York (Class B South) will look to help their teams advance past the first round, where all these teams saw their seasons end in 2023.

Seacoast high school baseball 2024: What to know about every local team and key players

Spaulding (D-I), Oyster River (D-II) and Traip Academy (Maine's Class C South) will look to key players to help their respective teams make a playoff appearance after missing out a year ago.

Marshwood's player to watch, Noah Fitzgerald, is included among our pitchers to watch.

Wesley Alfonso, Spaulding High School, senior, first base

Alfonso is ready for his fourth year on varsity for the Red Raiders, and is one of the key pieces who will determine how far Spaulding can go this season in a deep Division I field.

"Alfonso has been a good hitter … it's tough to call him a breakout player," Spaulding first-year head coach Brad Taylor said. "But I just feel like he is poised to have a fantastic senior year, certainly compared to last year."

Alfonso had several notable games last year, including getting three hits, including a home run and a double with three RBIs in a win over Windham, and a two-hit game in a win over Salem.

Ryder Aubin, Dover High School, senior, catcher

Aubin is one of the more consistent players you will find not only behind the plate, but in the batter's box.

Aubin drove in a team-high 20 runs last season, and Dover head coach Scott Dubben is looking for more this year.

"I think there's a lot more opportunities for him to drive in even more runs this year," Dubben said. "He's had a great offseason, looking strong and looking like he's primed for an all-state type of season."

Aubin had four hits and three RBI in a one-run loss to Memorial. He homered and drove in three runs in a 9-5 win over Goffstown; and one hit and five RBI in a win over Merrimack.

"Ryder has had a great offseason," Dubben said. "His swing has never looked better, his confidence is high, and I think he's due for a really good senior year."

Timmy Avery, St. Thomas Aquinas, senior, infielder

Avery, who is committed to play at Division III power Endicott College next year, had a dominant junior season, when he was a Division II all-state first-team selection.

"Timmy is a guy who can change the game with one swing of the bat," St. Thomas head coach Carson Cross said. "He's an offensive weapon, and we look for him to set the tone for our lineup this spring."

Avery shined in the postseason last year. In a quarterfinal win over John Stark, Avery blasted two homers, drove in five runs and scored four runs. He also had a two-hit, six-RBI game in a regular-season win over Souhegan.

Ben Brown, York High School, senior, outfield/pitcher

Brown was named York's team MVP last season and was named to the Western Maine Conference Class B second team.

"He started on the mound for us in some huge games that ultimately got us into the playoffs," York head coach Nick Hanlon said. "Big moments don't intimidate him, they motivate him. We rely on him for the energy he brings us at the plate as well."

Brown had some big moments for York, notably a two-hit, two RBI game in a win over Wells, and hit home runs in games against Lake Region and Wells.

More: Who are the top Seacoast high school baseball pitchers in 2024? Here are 8 aces to watch

Jake Carlisle, Portsmouth High School, senior, pitcher/third base

Many people heard Carlisle's name for the first time as a Clipper two years ago in a Portsmouth win over Salem, where he went 4-for-4, including two doubles, a single and a game-winning home run. Not bad for a sophomore.

Carlisle, who will continue his baseball career next year at Saint Joseph's College in Standish, Maine, batted .324 last season for the Clippers with five home runs and 21 RBIs. He also went 2-1 on the mound with a 2.22 ERA in 28 1/3 innings, earning himself Division I third-team all-state selection.

Jake will be asked to lead a younger, more inexperienced group this time around.

"(Jake) has improved with each step he's taken in our program," Portsmouth head coach Tim Hopley said. "We expect and will need him to take yet another step forward this year, and he has worked hard this offseason to do just that."

Bradley Carr, York High School, junior, catcher

York head coach Nick Hanlon said Carr is one of the best catchers in Class B South, throwing out baserunners at an incredibly high rate, and is a "wall behind the plate."

Carr threw out four would-be base-stealers in York's playoff game against Greely last year. He also doubled in York's season-ending loss to the Rangers.

"He has also grown tremendously at the plate, as well, in the course of the past couple of seasons," Hanlon said.

Carr homered against rival Wells in last year's final game of the regular season.

Colby Christiansen, Traip Academy, senior, pitcher/third base

Christiansen struck out 12 over six innings in last year's season-opening 12-5 win over Lake Region, showing how dominant he can be on the mound.

For the season, Christiansen fanned 32 over 36 innings, appearing in both of Traip's wins.

"Last year, Colby was our top pitcher, and showed he can be one of the stronger players in Class C South," Traip Academy head coach Alex Foye said. "This year, we hope for Colby to take another step on the mound, as well as to be a strong bat in the middle of our lineup."

When the senior hurler isn't on the mound, Christiansen, a Class C South second-team selection in 2023, can be found in the infield, primarily at third base.

Simon Grandmaison, Somersworth High School, junior, pitcher/infield

Somersworth second-year head coach Brian Bussiere called Grandmaison an "all-around great kid," who the Hilltoppers are "very fortunate to have."

"Simon just eats, breathes, and lives baseball," Bussiere said. "He constantly soaks it all in. He truly wants to learn and be the best he can be. He shows up every day to compete and work hard. He puts in a ton of work outside of our practices to get better. He has come into this year strong and is ready to go. He has a high baseball IQ and is strong fundamentally."

Bussiere isn't looking for Grandmaison to do too much more than what he's consistently provided over the years - "being a leader, going out having fun and 'just be Simon.'

"If he can play loose and just do his thing, the results and numbers will come," Bussiere said.

Louis Goldberg, Oyster River High School, junior, infielder/pitcher

Goldberg has an "explosive bat," according to Oyster River head coach Cam Calato,

Goldberg had a three-hit game in a win last year over Bow, and also laced a walk-off single in a 11-10 win over Coe-Brown.

"Good glove, good bat and just sort of a rock for the team," Calato said.

Gar Hindle, Portsmouth, junior, shortstop

Hindle, as a sophomore last year, was clutch in a win over Pinkerton toward the end of the season. He doubled and scored the game-winning run during a two-hit performance.

The Elon University baseball commit batted to an average of .288 and drove in 10 runs for the Clippers offense last year in his first season.

Portsmouth head coach Tim Hopley said Hindle has the ability to be an excellent two-way player, and they expect the junior infielder to show great improvements from his 2023 season.

"Maybe more importantly, however, we'll need Gar to grow as a leader for a team that graduated five starters and nine seniors from last season," Hopley said.

Hindle will make the switch from second base to shortstop this season and is expected to hit near the top of the lineup.

Grady Howe, Portsmouth Christian Academy, freshman, catcher/first base

Howe has yet to play in a varsity game, but Portsmouth Christian Academy head coach Derek Summers is excited about what the freshman will bring to the table.

"(Howe) is an extremely talented freshman to watch for," Summers said of Howe, who will primarily catch, and pitch when needed. "He is a real threat to go deep at the plate."

Summers called Howe an "'outstanding catcher" who also plays first base really well.

"He's got a big bat," Summers added. "He hits for power."

John Jacobsohn, York High School, junior, outfielder/pitcher

Jacobsohn was a unanimous Western Maine Conference Class B selection last year.

"(Jacobsohn) was our most consistent hitter all season last year," York head coach Nick Hanlon said. "He drives the ball to all parts of the field and is always a difficult out."

Last year, Jacobsohn had a three-hit game in a win over Traip Academy, had two hits and scored two runs in a win over Lake Region and had two hits, drew a walk, scored a run and drove in a run in a win over Morse.

"Even when he 'misses', he hits the ball hard," Hanlon said. "Which is a testament to all the work he puts in in the offseason."

Colin Klein, Oyster River High School, senior, catcher

Klein is a four-year varsity player for the Bobcats, and is entering his third year starting behind the plate. Oyster River head coach Cam Calato and the Bobcats are expecting a nice final season from him.

Klein, a team captain, was a Division II all-state honorable mention representative last year, and delivered go-ahead RBIs in Oyster River's first two wins of the season last year.

"He had a great offensive year last year, and he's really good behind the plate for us," Calato said.

Jackson Larck, Winnnacunnet High School, senior, infielder/pitcher

Larck was a middle-of-the-order bat last season for the Warriors, and head coach Aaron Abood has him penciled in at the No. 3 spot this season.

“He’s seen what varsity pitching looks like and did well,” Abood said. “We’re hoping for big things from him this season.”

Larck had 30 hits last year, batting .423 with an on-base percentage of .523. He had seven doubles, one triple, one homer, and scored 27 runs. He was named to the Division I all-state second team.

“Hopefully, he can have even a better season this year,” Abood said. “He’s, obviously, a lot stronger.”

Larck mostly served as the designated hitter last year, but saw time at both second and right field. This year, Abood has Larck at third to start the season.

“He’s worked really hard over the winter on his fielding,” Abood said. “He looks good over there at third, glove looks like it has improved.”

Abood also said Larck, a hard-throwing right-hander, should see some time on the mound.

“I think he can help us there,” Abood said. “He’s got good (velocity), and a nice breaking ball. If he’s not a starter, he can certainly help us in relief.”

Kian Littlefield, Portsmouth Christian Academy, junior, shortstop/pitcher

Littlefield was named to Division IV all-state first team as a sophomore, so one can only imagine what's in store this year.

PCA head coach Derek Summers predicts Littlefield should be one of the top pitchers in Division IV.

"(Littlefield) has tremendous skills in the infield and is outstanding at the plate as well," Summers said.

Littlefield led PCA in doubles, RBIs, slugging percentage and on-base percentage last year.

"He is going to be one of the better pitchers in Division IV," Summers added of Littlefield. "He's got great speed and great command. In the field, he's an extremely skilled player at shortstop. He has a great arm, can make good throws and just knows where to be."

Jacob Mangum, Dover High School, senior, second base/catcher

It only took two games into the 2023 season for Mangum to take a swing heard around the state.

In a 2-for-4 game, Mangum hit a walk-off homer to complete Dover's rally of a 10-run deficit in a 16-15 win over Salem, which Dubben said was one of the best high school baseball games he has been part of as a coach.

"He's a guy who gets on base," Dover head coach Scott Dubben. "He's kind of a catalyst to our lineup. He grinds out at-bats, he's gritty and finds a way to get on-base and sets the table for hitters behind him to drive him in."

This will be Mangum's third varsity season.

"He's always been a never gives up type of an at-bat," Dubben said of Mangum. "He's always been gritty and finds a way to get on base, and get us traffic (on base). I'm hoping that he does the same thing for us this year."

Darien Mercedes, Spaulding High School, senior, OF/IF/P

Mercedes will bat either third or fourth in the Spaulding lineup this year, and first-year head coach Brad Taylor isn't sure if Mercedes is going to see very many pitches to hit.

"I don't think anybody can sneak a fastball by him," Taylor said. "But, he's also been proving so far, in limited capacity, to stay back and hit the off-speed stuff as well. It seems like his plate discipline has improved a lot from last year. He's a big presence."

Mercedes' highlight game last year was in an 11-2 win over Timberlane; he had three hits, two RBIs, and scored two runs.

Cam Moran, Newmarket High School, senior, catcher

Moran earned himself a spot on the Division IV all-state first team last year, leading the Mules to a state championship.

"He's an excellent defensive catcher," Newmarket head coach Stan Jurkoic said. "He's got a good arm."

Moran had two hits, an RBI and scored three runs in a playoff win over Groveton; a double and an RBI in the quarterfinals against Derryfield; and a triple, three RBIs, and three runs scored in a regular-season win over rival Epping.

Miles Pratt, Winnnacunnet High School, senior, outfielder

Pratt surprised everyone across Division I last year, except for Winnacunnet head coach Aaron Abood, when he was named to the Division I all-state first team.

“We knew we had a pretty good player on our hands,” Abood said. “ His at-bats are going to be tougher this year, he’s certainly not going to fly under the radar.”

Pratt started all 22 games in center field last year, batting .432 with an on-base percentage of .511. He had 32 hits on the season, all singles. He also scored 26 runs and stole 10 bases.

“I think teams are going to pitch backward more to him, and he’s probably going to see more breaking balls,” Abood said. “I think he can have a similar season as he did last year based on his approach and mentality. He’s been working out and hitting all winter, I think he’s ready to go for his senior year.”

Alex Santora, Winnacunnet High School, junior, catcher

Santora started last season at the junior varsity, but was summoned to varsity after a couple of weeks.

“He worked his way into the lineup and never looked back,” Winnacunnet head coach Aaron Abood said. “He did a great job blocking and receiving, his arm is strong and is able to keep the run game (in check)."

Santora, a left-handed bat, hit .267 last year with two doubles and an on-base percentage of .432. He also threw out 10 of 17 would-be base-stealers. Abood expects Santora to hit in the middle of the order this year.

“It usually takes about a year to get used to the speed and level of pitching on varsity,” Abood said. “He got that under his belt. I don’t see why he won’t take a significant jump and be a productive offensive player this year.”

Hayden Schimoler, Exeter High School, junior, shortstop/pitcher

Exeter head coach Bruce Joyce called Schimoler an "excellent all-around athlete."

When not on the mound, Schimoler is the Blue Hawks starting shortstop, a position he manned a season ago as well. He was fourth on the team in batting average and led the team in stolen bases.

Joyce said Schimoler, who won both of his starts on the mound last year, will pitch more this year.

Cam Sengenberger, Oyster River High School, junior, infielder/pitcher

Sengenberger, a starter since his freshman season, is returning for his third varsity season and is poised to have another strong campaign.

"He just helps us in all three phases," Oyster River head coach Cam Calato said.

Sengenberger bats in the middle of the lineup, and along with playing in the infield, is one of the team's top pitchers.

Sengenberger blasted a three-run homer last year against Coe-Brown, and had a two-hit, three-RBI game in a win over St. Thomas Aquinas.

Mike Skowron, St. Thomas Aquinas, senior, infielder

Skowron is one of five Division II all-state selections returning to the Saints lineup this season.

Skowron, who was named to the Division II all-state second team last year, had games where he led the charge offensively such as a three-hit, two-RBI performance in a win over Merrimack Valley, and a four-RBI game in a win over Souhegan.

St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Carson Cross said Skowron has "as consistent of a bat as I've seen in high school baseball."

"(Skowron) will be a true utility player for us as we look for him to contribute on the mound as well as a variety of other positions depending on the day," Cross said.

Cai Summers, Portsmouth Christian Academy, sophomore, infielder

Summers is coming off a freshman campaign which saw him lead Portsmouth Christian in batting average, hits, runs and stolen bases, earning him a spot on the Division IV all-state second team.

"(Summers) should be a major threat at the plate and is outstanding on the base paths," said dad and PCA head coach Derek Summers. "His biggest contribution this year will probably be at the plate, and just causing havoc on the base paths."

Parker Sweitzer, Newmarket High School, senior, first baseman

Sweitzer enters his senior season after a really good junior season that saw him earn Division IV all-state second-team honors.

Notable performances include a double, three RBI and three-run game in a playoff win over Groveton; four hits, five RBI and five runs scored in a win over Pittsfield; and two hits, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Portsmouth Christian.

"He was a great first baseman for us last year," Newmarket head coach Stan Jurkoic said. "He's a good hitter."

With the Mules having a young pitching rotation, Jurkoic said Sweitzer would see some time on the mound.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 25 Seacoast NH, ME high school baseball players to watch in 2024