Baseball season is here, and that means the Five Tool staff is out there working, evaluating and filming. If you know anything about Five Tool, you know we capture a lot of baseball video. A LOT. And that means we see a lot of amazing plays and excellent performances. 

Each week, we’re going to share with readers, fans and baseball junkies 10 of the best plays and performances we recorded and covered from across the nation during the previous week. Now that we’re off and running in Texas, California, Arizona and beyond, we’ll undoubtedly be forced to leave some recognition on the bench to keep this to 10. 

This week was one of those weeks as pitchers like Bennett Fryman missed the cut despite showing excellent stuff and punching out nine hitters in 4.0 innings. This week’s list features a bit of everything, including some standout performances by uncommitted seniors. 

10. Every no-hitter - and in this case it was a combined no-hitter thrown by Hebron - has a standout defensive play to keep the hit total at zero. In rare instances, that play comes on the final out of the game. Lane Haworth, a Wichita State signee, starred during one of those rare instances when he preserved the no-hitter and the 1-0 victory with an outstanding read, route and dive to make a sensational, game-ending catch. 

9. Vista Ridge right-handed pitcher Zachary Fetchel is uncommitted but probably not for long. We saw Fetchel touch 90 MPH and flash a future plus changeup during an early-season scrimmage. In frigid conditions this past week, Fetched punched out 10 batters across 4.0 dominant innings. Fetchel spun a sharper, better hook with true, big overhand shape to accompany his standout changeup and fastball up to 89 MPH. 

8. During the early portion of the season, pro scouts excitedly plan schedules to see which arms, if any, could make a big jump during their senior season. Kannon Kemp, an Oklahoma signee, might be making that jump. A big, physical right-hander known for his ability to spin the baseball, Kemp struck out 10 in 5.0 innings with a heater up to 93 MPH and could possibly join the likes of Barrett Kent, Zane Adams and Travis Sykora as major MLB Draft candidates. 

7. Tall, slender righty Jack Hickerson made a name for himself this summer by throwing very hard and striking out a lot of overmatched batters. He did the same to open the season for Guyer. The 2024 Baylor commitment gave up just one hit and didn’t issue any walks during his 6.0 impressive innings and he also struck out nine. 

6. It looks like Zach Brown lives for the big moments. An Ohio State signee from Villa Park High School in California, Brown obliterated a pitch for a two-run, game-tying homer. Then when his team gained the lead, he struck out the side to earn the save. A true two-way talent with a clean arm path and repeatable delivery, Brown was up to 91 MPH with a true slider capable of generating whiffs. 

5. Rockwall mashed the baseball all week and TCU signee Micah Kendrick was a big part of the action. During a Saturday game against Hutto, Rockwall found itself sleepwalking through the early innings and behind big. Kendrick woke his team up by smashing a grand slam, which put Rockwall in front 8-7. 

The next inning, he made one of the best defensive plays we’ve seen this season. Playing second base, he ranged up the middle, made an athletic move to snag a grounder, sprinted towards second and completed the unassisted double play with a jump throw. At the time, Hutto had runners on first and second with no outs (ignore the dummy who tweeted it because he got it wrong).

Hutto would tie the game with two outs and force extra innings before Rockwall erupted for five more runs. Kendrick came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth to preserve the win. That’s quite a game.

4. There weren’t many hitters in the state of Texas better than 2024 Oklahoma commitment Pearson Riebock this week. Hitting leadoff for one of the best lineups in the state, Riebock routinely put an angry barrel on a pitch and hammered the ball all over the yard. He mashed a majestic home run at Dripping Springs. 

Later in the same tournament, Riebock threw a complete game to give Rockwall a 3-2 win. Riebock showed impressive command of his fastball, which was up to 90 MPH, and his curveball generated whiffs. 

3. The most anticipated pitching matchup in the Houston area, and maybe the state, featured two of 2024’s best - Pearland left-hander Ryler Smart (Tennessee commit) and St. Pius X right-hander Casan Evans (LSU commit). Our top-ranked player in 2024 made a loud statement. 

Against one of the most talented teams in the state, Evans threw a complete game and gave up just one run with nine strikeouts. Dude. 

2. Austin Westlake is a popular pick as a state title contender and it’s largely because its lineup is deep, talented and can do a ton of extra-base damage. So, it says a lot about senior right-handed hitter Will Magids that he hits cleanup. This week, we saw why. 

During two games on Saturday, Magids smashed three homers, drilled a double to the right-center wall and also hit a RBI triple. In 17 at-bats this season, he’s hitting .438 with three homers, nine RBI and six of his seven hits have gone for extra bases. A standout defensive back for one of the state’s best football teams, Magids is a tall, fluid athlete with plenty of physical projection remaining. Currently uncommitted, Magids should soon attract the attention of coaches of all levels. 

1. How does a guy finish at the top of this list with all these outstanding performances? Braydon Risley hit two three-run homers… IN THE SAME INNING. The Grayson signee’s first homer broke a tie in the eighth inning and his second put VR Eaton way ahead. Incredible. 

Five Tool Staff