2025 Diamond Prospect Media Player of the Year Award

This year we will be announcing our 4th annual Diamond Prospect Media Player of the Year Award for the 2025 high school season on Sunday, May 18th, 2025. This award encompasses a player who has not only had an outstanding year personally, but helped elevate their team throughout the regular season. The 12 players nominated with their stats will be listed at the bottom of this article following the Award Rules and Selection details on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025. 

Award Rules and Selection 

The Diamond Prospect Media Player of the Year award will be decided by three different aspects which will be voted on. Below are the parameters of the final decision:

-Fan Vote: On Wednesday (May 14th) at 9AM our X/Twitter account (@DiamondProMedia) will have a 3 part vote (12 players total) which will go for 24 hours each. At the conclusion of each vote, we will then select the top 3 from each along with a “wild card” (whoever receives the most votes outside of the top 3) from each and put them in a Final Four Vote which will begin just after 10AM on Thursday (May 15th) and go for 24 hours until Friday (May 16th)Whoever wins the Final Four Vote will win the Fan Vote.

The Final Four Fan Vote will be decided on by the following four players: 

-2025 LHP Rivers Kurland
-2025 IF Gabriel Milano
-2026 RHP/IF Joey Lawson
-2026 RHP Wilson Andersen 

Final Four Fan Vote Winner:

2025 IF Gabriel Milano

*In the event of a tie for the Final Four Vote (two receive the same overall percentage and are within that percentage point of each other) there will be a Vote Off between the two that will begin within an hour of the initial Final Four Vote ending. For example, if two nominees both receive 32% of the vote but one is 32.8% and one is 32.2% it will go to the Vote Off. If one is 33% and the other is 32%, the one with 33% will win.

-DPM Staff: The scouting staff of DPM (outside of the Scouting Director) will vote amongst themselves and come up with a pick from the 12 players nominated. This will be announced Sunday, May 18th.

DPM Staff Pick:

2026 RHP/C Joseph Lawson (Bishop Verot, FL)

Joseph Lawson is the ideal candidate for the Diamond Prospect Media Player of the Year. At the plate, he consistently barrels up the baseball, showcasing gap-to-gap power and a disciplined approach that keeps him on base and in scoring position. On the mound, Lawson commands the zone with a live fastball and sharp-breaking offspeed that keep hitters guessing. His ability to impact the game on both sides—whether he’s driving in runs or shutting down opponents—makes him a true difference maker. Helping lead a very strong Bishop Verot team to a deep playoff run and great regular season. With an elite skill set and leadership presence, Lawson stands out as the complete package deserving of this prestigious award. 

-Scouting Director: Mike Maerz will turn in a pick as well from the 12 players nominated. This will be announced Sunday, May 18th.

Scouting Director Pick: 

2026 RHP/IF Joey Lawson (Bishop Verot HS, FL)

For me this came down to a decision on three players…Aaron Watson, Jackson Lucas, and Joey Lawson. Watson was pretty much lights out whenever he took the mound this spring, will be at the State Championships in Fort Myers this week to help finish off the state title quest for Trinity Christian Academy. Lucas put together a sparkling two-way standout season which helped Venice HS capture the USA Baseball NHSI Championship earlier this spring. Finally, Lawson has really done it all and been such a key contributor for Bishop Verot with a 30+ win season both on the mound and at the plate.

Ultimately, my decision went to 2026 RHP/IF Joey Lawson of Bishop Verot HS, FL. His offensive firepower which included 7 home runs during the regular season paired with a dominant showing on the mound all year which included three No-Hitters just kept sticking out. Those kind of performances are what really elevates a team. The UNC commit now has a chance to cap off an impressive regular season with a Final Four State Championship appearance coming this week.

*The winner will be decided by having 2 of the same picks from the 3 areas listed above. If all three are different, then the tiebreaker will be the leading vote getter of the Final Four Fan Vote to determine the award winner. 

2025 DPM Player of the Year Award Winner:

2026 RHP/IF Joey Lawson (Bishop Verot HS, FL)

Diamond Prospect Media Player of the Year Award Nominees:

-2025 LHP/OF Aiden Stillman of Trinity Prep, FL. The Virginia commit shows big potential with a fastball up to 96 mph.

Notable Numbers:
31.IP/2.02 ERA/76 Ks/1.02 WHIP
.500 AVG/22 hits/5 HRs/18 RBI

-2026 RHP/OF Brayden Harris of St. John’s Country Day HS, FL. The FSU commit has an electric arm with a fastball up to 96 mph that racks up strikeouts.

Notable Numbers:
6-0/49.2IP/93 Ks/0.705 ERA/0.826 WHIP
.341 AVG/29 hits/7 doubles

-2025 IF Gabriel Milano of Doral Academy, FL. The Miami commit put up big offensive numbers this season for the Firebirds.

Notable Numbers:
.457 AVG/.582 OBP/.914 SLG/8 HRs/8 doubles/29 RBI

-2026 RHP/C/IF Joey Lawson of Bishop Verot, FL. The UNC commit has been one of the top two-way producers in Florida.

Notable Numbers:
7-0/89 Ks in 48 IP/0.87 ERA/3 No-Hitters
.378 AVG/.464 OBP/7 HRs/23 RBI

-2026 LHP Spencer Krasner of Chaminade-Madonna HS, FL. The South Carolina commit was a strikeout machine on the mound this season for the Lions.

Notable Numbers:
8-0/82 Ks in 46 IP/1.22 ERA/0.67 WHIP/2 CGs

-2025 LHP Rivers Kurland of Berkeley Prep, FL. The FSU commit has been lights out this season, looking to continue that at the State Championships.

Notable Numbers:
5-1/85 Ks in 53.1 IP/0.26 ERA/0.82 WHIP

-2025 RHP Aiden Dolan of Newsome HS, FL. The Polk State commit sits in the low 90s with his fastball. Can really get in a groove and rack up strikeouts.

Notable Numbers:
6-1/66 Ks in 40.1 IP/0.69 ERA/0.861 WHIP/1 CGSO

-2025 LHP/1B Jackson Lucas of Venice HS, FL. The Troy commit does it all, was key in their USA Baseball NHSI Title.

Notable Numbers:
9-0/50 Ks in 45 IP/.311 ERA/.778 WHIP
.385 AVG/.442 OBP/21 RBI

-2026 IF/RHP Coleman Borthwick of South Walton HS, FL. The Auburn commit is one of the top ranked two-ways in the country.

Notable Numbers:
52 Ks in 30 IP/.24 ERA
.468 AVG/.623 OBP/38 hits/9 doubles/6 HRs/36 RBI

-2025 OF Remo Indomenico of The First Academy, FL. The Oklahoma State commit has been on fire offensively all spring, will be at the upcoming State Championships.

Notable Numbers:
.456 AVG/33 hits/5 HRs/10 doubles/31 RBI

-2025 RHP Aaron Watson of Trinity Christian Academy, FL. The Virginia commit has been unhittable this spring with big time stuff. Recently tossed a Perfect Game.

Notable Numbers:
5-0/86 Ks in 46 IP/0.59 ERA/.59 WHIP

-2026 RHP Wilson Andersen of Jesuit HS, FL. The Mississippi State commit has been up to 98 mph with his fastball, another big arm at the upcoming State Championships.

Notable Numbers:
6-3/56 Ks in 39.1 IP/1.85 ERA/1.05 WHIP/1 CGSO