The 2026 Maryland high school baseball season has drawn to a close, leaving behind a slate of memorable performances and a crowded field of candidates for the player of the year award. As voting opens, the spotlight falls on a dozen standout athletes whose statistics and contributions have defined the year.
MVP and Pitching Excellence
Joey Coudon earned the distinction of 2026 MIAA A MVP after posting a .487 batting average and smashing 16 home runs, while Arian Vargas anchored the MIAA A Championship team and was crowned Pitcher of the Year with 94 strikeouts. Ryan Zanni added another accolade as MCPS East Pitcher of the Year, boasting a microscopic 0.72 ERA, and Ethan Pletter set a single‑season record with a .636 average and 42 runs scored.
State Championships and Team Impact
Billy Swaney contributed 38 RBIs in helping Urbana capture the MPSSAA 4A state championship, and Kayden Lipscomb’s 20 stolen bases played a key role in the same team’s historic first state title. Giacomo Iorio was named MoCo North Player of the Year after stealing 25 bases, while Logan Powell collected 21 stolen bases to earn SMAC Player of the Year honors. Landon Daniel topped the Bayside conference with 10 home runs, and Jack Grossi, the Bayside Athletic Conference Player of the Year, added 26 stolen bases to his résumé. Luke Crawford finished the season batting .444 to claim IAC Player of the Year, and Jack Young topped Prince George’s County with 79 strikeouts.
Voting for the player of the year will remain open until June 21, giving fans and stakeholders a final chance to weigh in on the athlete who best embodied the spirit of Maryland high school baseball this year.