Vote: Who should be SBLive's WaFd Bank Arizona Baseball Athlete of the Week (3/18/2024)?

Here are the candidates for the WaFd Bank Arizona Baseball Athlete of the Week as nominated by coaches, fans and readers. 

Read through the nominees and cast your vote. We’ll send a free SBLive T-shirt to the winner of the poll! Voting will conclude Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced Monday.

If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, email danbrood91@gmail.com.

Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes who receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

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Lane Abel, Gilbert

The sophomore pitcher spun a complete-game no-hitter, striking out four and walking three, in leading the Tigers to a 7-0 win over Arizona College Prep in the championship game of the Bob Everett Classic, played at Gilbert High School.

Blake Bell, Mountain Pointe

The senior pitcher spun a complete-game one-hitter, striking out eight while needing just 73 pitches in leading the Pride to a 7-0 win over Higley in a game played at Higley High School.

Shea Braaten, Canyon View

The senior pitcher threw a complete-game two-hit shutout, striking out five and walking none while also hitting a double and driving in two runs for the Jaguars in an 11-0 win over Seton Catholic in a semifinal game of the Lancer Classic.

Brylen Brown, Desert Vista

The senor went 2 for 3 at the plate with a home run, two runs and two RBIs for the Thunder in a 16-0 victory against Marcos de Niza at the Bob Everett Classic.

Braden Burness, Desert Vista

The senior threw a five-inning complete-game shutout, allowing two hits while striking out seven and walking one in leading the Thunder to a 14-0 win over Mesa during play at the Bob Everett Classic. He then went 2 for 4 at the plate with a home run and three RBIs in a 9-2 win over Cesar Chavez.

Cam Caminiti, Saguaro

The senior left-handed pitcher/outfielder had a big week for the Sabercats. On the mound, he had nine strikeouts and one walk in five innings of work in getting a 6-0 win over Bishop Gorman, Nev. At the plate, he went 6 for 9 with two doubles, six walks, a stolen base, five runs and two RBIs for the week.

Johnny Casale, Brophy Prep

The senior pitcher/outfielder, and a Loyola Marymount commit had a big week for the Broncos. He moved his pitching record to 3-0, allowing three runs on four hits with seven strikeouts on the mound while also scoring a run and drive in a run in an 8-3 win over Chandler. He then went 2 for 3 in a 3-0 victory against Chandler.

Billy Gregory, Saguaro

The senior right-handed pitcher went 1-0 during the week for the Sabercats, allowing one run while striking out eight and walking one in five innings of work on the mound.

Drew Heinze, Gilbert

The senior pitcher turned in an eight-inning complete-game performance, needing just 89 pitches as he allowed two earned runs on five hits in a 4-3 win over Mountain Ridge.

Jayden Garrison, Desert Vista

The junior was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with a triple, three runs and three RBIs to help power the Thunder to a 16-0 victory against Marcos de Niza during action at the Bob Everett Classic.

Gustavo Gomez, Douglas

The senior went a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with a triple, two runs and two RBIs for the Bulldogs in their 9-0 win against Rincon/University.

Drew Johnson, Gilbert

The senior went 2 for 3 at the plate with a home run, two runs and two RBIs for the Tigers in an 11-4 win over Valley Vista at the Bob Everett Classic.

Boston Kellner, Hamilton

The junior went 9 for 15 at the plate with five home runs and seven RBIs while also turning in a complete-game pitching victory in a 10-2 win against Basic for the Huskies during their games at the Boras Baseball Classic.

Tanner Leyba, Gilbert

The senior tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits while striking out six and walking two in the Tigers’ 4-0 victory against Mountain View at the Bob Everett Classic.

Max Madrid, Basha

The senior outfielder stepped up for the Bears, going 2 for 3 at the plate with a home run, a sacrifice fly, two runs and two RBIs in a 9-2 victory against Campo Verde. He also went 3 for 3 with two home runs, three runs and three RBIs in a 10-3 win over Verrado.

Chris Margarella, Saguaro

The senior right-handed pitcher recorded a pair of big saves for the Sabercats, coming in victories against Bishop Gorman, Nev., and Corona del Sol during play at the Boras Baseball Classic. For the week, he threw six innings, giving up two runs while striking out five and walking four.

Kadyn Marks, Cibola

The senior threw a complete-game one-hit shutout, striking out 10 and walking five in the Raiders’ 9-0 win over Gila Ridge in a game played at Gila Ridge High School.

Coby Neville, Mountain Ridge

The junior had a big day at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs for the Mountain Lions in an 8-6 win over Cibola in a game played at Mountain Ridge High School.

Ozzie Ortiz, Kofa

The freshman middle infielder went 4 for 8 at the plate with two doubles, a triple and an RBI in addition to playing error-free ball at shortstop for the Kings in a doubleheader sweep against Copper Canyon.

Matt Peterson, Red Mountain

The senior went 2 for 2 at the plate with a solo home runs and a pair of walks for the Mountain Lions in an 8-1 victory over Horizon at the Horizon Invitational.

Drew Rogers, Hamilton

The senior went 9 for 12 at the plate with four home runs, two doubles and 10 RBIs in addition to picking up the win on the mound in a 13-5 victory over Snow Mountain during play at the Boras Baseball Classic.

Cody Rollings, Estrella Foothills

The senior right-hander combined with Brock De Battista to throw a no-hitter for the Wolves in a 12-0 win over Williams. Rollings, who started the game, struck out four and walked two in four innings of work.

Cade Shumard, Saguaro

The senior left-handed pitcher/outfielder shined during the week for the Sabercats. At the plate, he went 9 for 15 with a home run, two doubles, a triple, three runs and 10 RBIs. On the mound, he picked up a save while giving up three runs, striking out eight and walking two in five innings of work.

Joseph Talas, Centennial

The junior hurled a five-inning shutout, allowing three hits while striking out five and walking one in the Coyotes’ 15-0 win over Boulder Creek.

Chade Wilson, Red Mountain

The senior went 3 for 4 at the plate with two doubles, four runs and five RBIs in powering the Mountain Lions to a 10-0 win over Dobson in a game played at Red Mountain High School.

Liam Wilson, Hamilton

The senior stepped up at the plate for the Huskies in their games at the Boras Baseball Classic, going 7 for 13 with four home runs, two doubles and 10 RBIs.

Hayden Wright, Red Mountain

The senior had a huge day at the plate, smacking two home runs and driving in five runs in the Mountain Lions’ 12-1 victory against Williams Field.

Justice Yanke, Mountain View Mesa

The junior needed just 77 pitches to throw a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits while striking out two and walking none in the Toros’ 6-0 win over Eastmark at the Bob Everett Classic.