Frederick Keys Ride Hot Bats Through Eventful Week

The Frederick Keys turned in one of their most entertaining weeks of the 2026 MLB Draft League season, showcasing explosive offense, aggressive baserunning and several standout pitching performances while battling through six games dating back to Friday.

Frederick continued proving why the club remains one of the most entertaining summer teams in the region. The lineup consistently pressured opposing pitchers, several young arms flashed legitimate professional upside and the Keys again packed Nymeo Field with energetic crowds throughout the homestand.

The week brought nearly everything baseball fans could want from the MLB Draft League level. Walk-off moments surfaced. Sluggers delivered clutch home runs. Bullpens both saved and lost games. Young draft-eligible players fought to improve their stock with scouts watching from nearly every section of the ballpark.

Frederick entered the week searching for consistency after an uneven stretch earlier in May. By Thursday night, the Keys had delivered some of their best offensive innings of the young season while also exposing a few lingering issues on the mound.

Several hitters emerged as major storylines during the week, including leadoff sparkplug Brady Counsell, slugging first baseman Jared Sprague-Lott and versatile outfielder Eli Willits. Frederick’s pitching staff also received encouraging outings from multiple starters despite occasional late-inning struggles.

The Keys did not dominate every game. Defensive mistakes and bullpen inconsistency occasionally surfaced. Still, Frederick continued playing aggressive baseball and showed why MLB organizations value the Draft League as an important developmental environment for draft prospects and younger players.

Here is the full recap of Frederick’s week dating back to Friday.

Friday, May 15 — Frederick Keys 8, West Virginia Black Bears 5

Frederick opened the week with one of its strongest offensive performances of the season, pounding out 13 hits during an 8-5 victory over the West Virginia Black Bears.

The Keys wasted little time attacking Black Bears starter Dylan McCutcheon. Brady Counsell opened the bottom of the first with a line-drive single before immediately stealing second base. Frederick’s aggressive approach set the tone for the rest of the night.

Sprague-Lott continued his excellent May by ripping an RBI double into the left-center gap during the opening inning. Eli Willits followed later with a run-scoring single that pushed Frederick ahead early.

The Keys lineup stayed aggressive throughout the game.

West Virginia repeatedly struggled to put Frederick hitters away once ahead in counts. The Keys spoiled two-strike pitches consistently and forced the Black Bears bullpen into heavy work by the middle innings.

Frederick starter Mason Estrada delivered one of the better pitching performances of the week. Estrada attacked hitters with a heavy fastball early in counts and mixed his breaking ball effectively against left-handed hitters. The right-hander worked five innings while allowing just two earned runs and striking out six.

West Virginia attempted to rally late after Frederick relievers briefly lost command in the seventh inning. The Black Bears cut the lead to 6-5 before the Keys responded immediately.

Counsell again sparked the offense during the eighth inning with another leadoff hit. Frederick later added insurance runs on consecutive RBI singles from Willits and catcher Brody Green.

Closer Tyler Cleveland shut the door during the ninth inning and secured the victory.

Frederick’s offense finished 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position and repeatedly delivered productive at-bats in leverage situations.

The victory gave the Keys important momentum entering the weekend and highlighted the club’s growing confidence offensively.

Saturday, May 16 — Frederick Keys 10, West Virginia Black Bears 9

Saturday produced one of the wildest games Frederick fans witnessed all season.

The Keys survived multiple momentum swings and eventually escaped with a dramatic 10-9 victory after nearly blowing a five-run lead late.

Frederick’s offense again exploded early.

The Keys plated four runs during the first inning behind three extra-base hits. Sprague-Lott crushed a two-run homer over the left-field wall, while outfielder Carson DeMartini added an RBI triple moments later.

Frederick starter Logan Forsythe cruised through the first three innings before West Virginia suddenly erupted offensively during the middle innings.

The Black Bears hammered three home runs between the fourth and sixth innings and tied the game after Frederick relievers struggled badly with command. Walks became a major issue. Several Keys pitchers fell behind hitters and left fastballs over the heart of the plate.

Still, Frederick’s offense refused to disappear.

Counsell continued tormenting West Virginia pitching with another multi-hit performance. The infielder reached base four times Saturday and stole two more bases while consistently creating chaos on the bases.

Willits also delivered one of the biggest swings of the night with a go-ahead RBI double during the seventh inning.

The drama intensified during the ninth.

Frederick closer Tyler Cleveland entered attempting to protect a one-run lead but immediately surrendered consecutive singles. West Virginia eventually loaded the bases before Cleveland recovered with two massive strikeouts.

A game-ending flyout finally secured the victory after nearly four hours of baseball.

The Keys improved to 2-0 on the weekend while again demonstrating the offensive depth that increasingly impressed scouts throughout May.

Frederick’s pitching concerns, however, remained obvious.

The bullpen allowed West Virginia back into the game repeatedly after the Keys appeared ready to cruise toward another easy victory.

Sunday, May 17 — West Virginia Black Bears 7, Frederick Keys 3

Sunday finally slowed Frederick’s offense.

After scoring 18 runs during the first two games of the series, the Keys managed just three Sunday afternoon as West Virginia salvaged the finale with a 7-3 victory.

Black Bears starter Cameron Johnson controlled the game early with sharp command and an excellent changeup. Frederick hitters struggled to square up pitches consistently and repeatedly chased off-speed pitches below the strike zone.

The Keys actually grabbed an early lead after Counsell reached on an infield single and later scored on a Sprague-Lott sacrifice fly.

West Virginia quickly answered.

The Black Bears erupted for four runs during the third inning after Frederick starter Jacob Hurst struggled with command. Two walks and a defensive miscue opened the door before West Virginia slugger Gavin Turley delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a two-run double down the left-field line.

Frederick attempted to rally late.

Willits ripped another RBI double during the sixth inning, while DeMartini later added a sacrifice fly. The Keys ultimately stranded nine runners and failed repeatedly in key situations against the West Virginia bullpen.

The loss snapped Frederick’s short winning streak but still left the club with momentum after taking the series.

Counsell continued his excellent week despite the defeat, while Sprague-Lott again supplied run production near the middle of the lineup.

The biggest concern involved starting pitching depth.

Hurst struggled to miss bats consistently Sunday, and West Virginia hitters generated loud contact throughout the afternoon.

Tuesday, May 19 — Frederick Keys 6, Mahoning Valley Scrappers 2

After Monday’s off day, Frederick returned home and immediately bounced back with another strong all-around victory.

The Keys defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 6-2 behind excellent pitching and timely offense.

Frederick starter Ben Moore turned in perhaps the club’s best pitching performance of the week. Moore attacked the strike zone relentlessly and kept Mahoning Valley hitters uncomfortable with a sharp slider throughout the evening.

The right-hander worked six innings while allowing just one run and striking out eight.

Frederick’s offense again produced enough support early.

Counsell stayed hot with another leadoff hit during the first inning before eventually scoring on a Sprague-Lott RBI single. Willits later crushed a two-run homer during the third inning that gave Frederick breathing room.

The Keys defense also played significantly cleaner baseball Tuesday night after several sloppy innings during the West Virginia series.

Mahoning Valley threatened briefly during the seventh inning after Frederick reliever Austin Becker issued back-to-back walks. The Keys bullpen quickly settled down and prevented the Scrappers from building momentum.

Frederick added insurance runs late after DeMartini delivered another clutch RBI double into the right-center gap.

The victory reinforced Frederick’s identity entering the middle of May.

The Keys played their best baseball when starters attacked early in counts and the offense applied constant pressure on opposing pitchers with aggressive baserunning and quality situational hitting.

Wednesday, May 20 — Mahoning Valley Scrappers 11, Frederick Keys 8

Wednesday turned chaotic quickly.

The Keys and Scrappers combined for 19 runs, 24 hits and multiple lead changes before Mahoning Valley finally escaped with an 11-8 victory.

Frederick actually looked ready to cruise early after scoring five runs during the opening three innings.

Willits continued his huge week with another RBI hit. Sprague-Lott homered again. Counsell collected three more hits while pushing his batting average above .340 during the process.

The pitching completely unraveled afterward.

Frederick starter Ryan Schutt struggled badly during the middle innings as Mahoning Valley hitters repeatedly punished elevated fastballs. The Scrappers eventually plated six runs during the fourth and fifth innings combined.

The Keys bullpen failed to stop the momentum.

Mahoning Valley attacked aggressively against Frederick relievers and consistently generated hard contact. Several Keys pitchers struggled to finish hitters once ahead in counts, leading to multiple damaging two-out rallies.

Frederick still nearly erased the deficit late.

The Keys scored three runs during the eighth inning and brought the tying run to the plate before Mahoning Valley reliever Tanner Burns escaped the jam with a strikeout.

The loss frustrated Frederick because the offense again generated enough production to win comfortably.

Pitching inconsistency remained the defining problem.

Frederick continued surrendering too many free baserunners through walks and defensive mistakes. Opponents repeatedly capitalized once innings extended.

Thursday, May 21 — Frederick Keys 5, Mahoning Valley Scrappers 4

Thursday’s finale delivered another entertaining finish.

The Keys rallied late and walked off Mahoning Valley 5-4 in front of one of the loudest crowds of the week at Nymeo Field.

Frederick starter Ethan Walker battled through traffic throughout the evening and kept the Keys within striking distance despite inconsistent command. Walker surrendered three runs over five innings while striking out seven.

Mahoning Valley grabbed a 4-2 lead entering the bottom of the seventh after another Frederick bullpen hiccup threatened to spoil the night.

The Keys responded immediately.

Counsell opened the inning with a double into the left-field corner before Willits followed with an RBI single. Frederick later tied the game on a sacrifice fly from Green.

The dramatic finish arrived during the ninth.

Mahoning Valley closer Jackson Dennison retired the first two hitters before Frederick suddenly erupted. DeMartini lined a single up the middle, and Sprague-Lott followed with a double into the right-center gap.

Willits then delivered the game-winning moment.

The talented outfielder ripped a sharp single through the left side of the infield that scored DeMartini and sent the Frederick dugout pouring onto the field.

The walk-off victory capped an impressive offensive week for Willits, who emerged as one of Frederick’s biggest stars over the six-game stretch.

Offensive Stars of the Week

Brady Counsell

Few players in the Draft League looked better this week than Counsell.

The Frederick leadoff hitter consistently created pressure with speed, on-base ability and excellent situational awareness. Counsell collected multiple hits in four separate games and repeatedly disrupted pitchers with aggressive baserunning.

Scouts likely loved the complete offensive package.

Counsell sprayed line drives around the field, worked deep counts and played with nonstop energy throughout the week.

Eli Willits

Willits delivered several of the week’s biggest hits.

The outfielder homered Tuesday, collected multiple RBIs during the West Virginia series and eventually delivered Thursday’s walk-off single against Mahoning Valley.

Willits consistently looked comfortable against velocity and handled breaking pitches better as the week progressed.

Jared Sprague-Lott

Sprague-Lott anchored the middle of Frederick’s lineup all week.

The slugger homered twice, drove in runs consistently and repeatedly punished mistakes over the plate. Frederick relied heavily on his ability to deliver in leverage situations.

The power upside stood out repeatedly during the week.

Carson DeMartini

DeMartini quietly turned in another productive stretch.

The versatile hitter supplied multiple extra-base hits and consistently delivered quality at-bats near the bottom of the order. Frederick’s lineup depth improved considerably whenever DeMartini produced offensively.

Pitching Still Needs Work

Frederick’s offense carried the club most of the week.

Pitching remained inconsistent.

The Keys received strong individual starts from Moore and Estrada, but the bullpen struggled repeatedly once games tightened late. Walks became a major issue, especially during losses.

Frederick pitchers also surrendered too many elevated fastballs in hitter-friendly counts.

The Draft League environment naturally favors offense due to inexperienced pitching staffs and constant roster movement. Still, Frederick clearly needs more consistent strike-throwing moving forward.

The good news involves the raw stuff.

Several Keys pitchers flashed quality velocity and swing-and-miss breaking balls throughout the week. Consistency remains the missing piece.

Looking Ahead

The Frederick Keys exited the week encouraged by the offense and energized by another dramatic home victory.

The lineup showed legitimate depth. Counsell emerged as one of the hottest hitters in the league. Willits continued improving his draft stock. Sprague-Lott consistently anchored the middle of the order.

The next challenge involves stabilizing the pitching staff.

If Frederick finds more consistency on the mound, the Keys possess enough offensive firepower to become one of the most dangerous teams in the MLB Draft League moving into summer.

For now, the Keys remain exactly what fans want during a summer baseball season in Frederick: entertaining, aggressive and capable of scoring runs in bunches nearly every night.