University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Matt Hawley/Pitt Athletics
Pitt Baseball Unveils 2022 Recruiting Class
9/12/2022 10:53:00 AM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH – Pitt baseball has added 24 newcomers to its roster for the 2023 season, fifth-year head coach Mike Bell announced Monday.
Joining the Panthers for the 2023 campaign are infielder Justin Acal, right-handed pitcher Nash Bryan, right-handed pitcher Erubiel Candelario, left-handed pitcher Sam Falace, right-handed pitcher Matthew Fernandez, left-handed pitcher Ethan Firoved, infielder Brett Heckert, infielder Nolan Kutney, infielder Anthony LaSala, right-handed pitcher Gavin Lill, outfielder Carlos Martinez, infielder Noah Martinez, catcher/infielder Jayden Melendez, right-handed pitcher Kyle Mosley, outfielder AJ Nessler, left-handed pitcher Zack Oswald, right-handed pitcher Holden Phelps, left-handed pitcher Ryan Reed, infielder Drew Ripepi, right-handed pitcher Dylan Simmons, right-handed pitcher Ryan Slattery, right-handed pitcher Jack Sokol, outfielder Caleb Sturtevant and infielder Matt Travisano.
The 2022 recruiting class features 11 freshmen and 13 transfers.
"We are extremely excited about this group," Bell said. "It brings a lot of depth and fills a lot of holes left behind by a group that succeeded on the field and in the classroom, with 14 guys earning a degree or certificate last year. I'd personally like to recognize Ty Megahee, Joe Mercadante, Drew Linder, Austin Thompson and Devin Mesoraco for their endless hours on the road. Evaluating, communicating and developing relationships takes a lot of time and effort. Without those efforts, none of this could be possible to build this championship roster. The future is bright, and we can't wait to get started."
The Panthers posted 29 victories in 2022 and reached the semifinals of the ACC Tournament for the first time since 2018 by upsetting 7-seed Georgia Tech (12-6) and 2-seed Louisville (6-5) last season. The 29 wins were Pitt's most in a single season since 2018 (29) and tied for the most in a season since joining the ACC in 2014.
Recruits by Position:
Pitchers: Bryan, Candelario, Falace, Fernandez, Firoved, Lill, Mosley, Oswald, Phelps, Reed, Simmons, Slattery, Sokol
Catchers: Melendez
Infielders: Acal, Heckert, Kutney, LaSala, N. Martinez, Melendez, Ripepi, Travisano
Outfielders: C. Martinez, Sturtevant
Utility: Nessler
Recruits by State/Country (Hometown):
Connecticut: N. Martinez (New Milford)
Florida: Fernandez (Miami), Melendez (Cutler Bay), Nessler (Tampa), Simmons (Jacksonville), Slattery (Windermere)
Illinois: Phelps (Crystal Lake)
Maryland: Acal (Frederick)
Massachusetts: Travisano (Carlisle)
New Jersey: Oswald (Hoboken)
New York: Candelario (Bronx), Falace (Cohoes)
Ohio: Sokol (New Albany)
Pennsylvania: Bryan (Butler), Heckert (Wexford), Kutney (Montoursville), LaSala (Aliquippa), Lill (West Chester), Reed (Ridley Park), Ripepi (McMurray), Sturtevant (Denver)
Puerto Rico: C. Martinez (Coamo)
Texas: Mosley (Mansfield)
Virginia: Firoved (Virginia Beach)
Justin Acal
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Frederick, Md.
High School (Previous School): Tuscarora (Frederick Community College)
Notes: In three seasons at Frederick Community College, hit .387 with a .494 OBP and .664 slugging percentage, registering 123 hits, 29 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, 88 RBI and 104 runs scored … Led Frederick Community College to a pair of Region 20 JUCO titles and World Series appearances … Garnered first team all-conference honors, first team all-region and All-Maryland honors … Played four years of high school ball at Tuscarora, earning both first team all-conference and all-county in his final two seasons … Played travel ball for both Mid Maryland United and BC Elite.
Nash Bryan
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Graduate
Hometown: Butler, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Butler (Seton Hill/Wheeling Jesuit)
Notes: Made 45 appearances over three seasons on the mound at Seton Hill, striking out 96 while issuing only 18 walks over 64.1 innings and sporting a 2.11 ERA … Struck out 54 against just nine walks and posted a 2.73 ERA over 24 appearances and 33 innings … Played at Wheeling Jesuit as a freshman in 2019, making two appearances on the mound … Earned all-section honors at Butler.
Erubiel Candelario
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Graduate
Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
High School (Previous School): Kipp (Marist College)
Notes: Played four years at Marist College, making 34 appearances on the mound with 19 starts … Posted a career record of 10-6, one save, a 4.17 ERA and 120 strikeouts over 123 innings of work … Earned 2022 All-MAAC First Team honors after starting 14 games and totaling a conference-best eight wins, striking out 88 batters over 76.1 innings … Played travel ball for the USC Knights, with team making an appearance in the Babe Ruth World Series.
Sam Falace
Position: LHP
B/T: L/L
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Colonie, N.Y.
High School (Previous School): Colonie Central
Notes: Went 5-1 on the mound with an 0.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and .109 BAA as a senior at Colonie Central in 2022, striking out 66 against just 18 walks and 14 hits allowing over 36.2 innings … Led squad to a Suburban Council regular season title in 2022.
Matthew Fernandez
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
High School (Previous School): Florida Christian (Miami Dade Community College/Florida International)
Notes: Made 17 starts at Miami Dade Community College in 2022, going 7-5 and striking out 110 against just 39 walks over 91.1 innings as his team finished as Florida state runners-up … Spent his 2021 freshman year at Florida International, where he made 13 appearances with 10 starts and struck out 37 in 40.2 innings … Earned First Team All-American honors and Miami Dade County First Team recognition for the second year in a row at Florida Christian in 2019 as his team won a district championship and finished as regional runners-up both years … Played two years of travel ball for the Florida Legends, making it to the Connie Mack World Series.
Ethan Firoved
Position: LHP
B/T: L/L
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va.
High School (Previous School): First Colonial (Tallahassee Community College/Virginia Tech)
Notes: Made 15 appearances and 13 starts on the mound at Tallahassee Community College in 2022, going 10-3 with one complete game and 96 strikeouts over 76.2 frames en route to Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year honors … Earned First Team All-State and Virginia Co-Player of the Year at First Colonial in 2019.
Brett Heckert
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Graduate
Hometown: Wexford, Pa.
High School (Previous School): North Allegheny (Allegheny College)
Notes: Played four years (2019-22) at Allegheny College, helping to lead Gators to an NCAC Tournament appearance in 2019 … Garnered all-conference honors in 2022 after hitting .326 … Led Allegheny College in OPS, runs, home runs, RBI and OBP in 2021 … Played high school ball at North Allegheny, where team earned WPIAL runner-up finishes in both 2017 and '18 … Played travel ball for the Pittsburgh Spikes … Father, EJ, played college baseball at Akron.
Nolan Kutney
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Montoursville, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Montoursville Area
Notes: Member of district championship teams at Montoursville as both a freshman and senior … Hit .444 with a .567 OBP, three triples and three home runs as a junior.
Anthony LaSala
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Aliquippa, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Hopewell
Notes: Played four years at Hopewell, guiding team to a WPIAL championship in 2021 after a runner-up finish in '19 … Hit .382 with 40 runs scored and went 5-4 on the mound with a 1.39 ERA as a senior … Earned all-section honors as both a junior and senior and was recognized as a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Finest 10.
Gavin Lill
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: West Chester, Pa.
High School (Previous School): West Chester East
Notes: Played four years at West Chester East … Was ranked the No. 5 RHP in the state of Pennsylvania by Perfect Game.
Carlos Martinez
Position: OF
B/T: L/L
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Coamo, Puerto Rico
High School (Previous School): P27 Academy
Notes: Played two years for P27 Academy … Competed on the travel ball circuit for Five Star, Elite Squad and Bodyshop Baseball, winning WWBA and BCS championships.
Noah Martinez
Position: INF
B/T: L/L
Class: Senior
Hometown: New Milford, Conn.
High School (Previous School): The Hotchkiss School/New Milford (Central Connecticut State)
Notes: Spent three seasons on the roster at Central Connecticut State, playing in 87 games over the last two and hitting .309 with 107 hits, 16 doubles, three triples, 22 home runs, 99 RBIs and 69 runs scored … Earned All-NECBL First Team honors in 2022 after ending the regular season with a .288 average, driving in a team-high 29 runs, smacking four home runs and seven doubles and scoring 23 runs … Hit .485 with three home runs to earn all-region honors at The Hotchkiss School in 2018 … Posted a .474 average with four home runs at New Milford in 2017, garnering all-state recognition.
Jayden Melendez
Position: C/INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
High School (Previous School): West Minister Christian (Florida International)
Notes: Played in 41 games with 38 starts at Florida International in 2022, hitting .232 with 32 hits, including five doubles and three home runs, to go along with 12 RBI and 13 runs scored … Played at Westminster Christian Academy … Perfect Game grade of 10 … Ranked the 118th best overall player and seventh-best catcher nationally by Perfect Game … Ranked the 15th best overall player and second-best catcher in Florida by Perfect Game … Named a Perfect Game All-American in 2020 … Attended the 2020 MLB Draft Combine … Named 2021 First-Team All-Dade by the Miami Herald … Helped Westminster to a State Runner-up finish and District championship in 2021 … Brother, MJ, currently plays for the Kansas City Royals.
Kyle Mosley
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Mansfield, Texas
High School (Previous School): Lake Ridge (Hill College)
Notes: Starting pitcher for three years at Hill College … Struck out 83 hitters over 60.2 innings in the 2022 campaign for Hill College … Played four years at Lake Ridge, helping team win a district title.
AJ Nessler
Position: UTL
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School (Previous School): Tampa Jesuit
Notes: Finished his prep career at Tampa Jesuit as a .433 hitter with a .320 OBP, 56 hits, 49 RBI, seven home runs and 41 runs scored … Served as team captain as a senior in 2022, guiding team to a state title after hitting .420 with a .333 OBP, 33 hits, 31 RBI and five home runs … High school team was ranked No. 1 in the country by Max Preps in 2021 and Perfect Game in '20 … Member of 2019 Tampa Jesuit squad that won a state title … Florida Region Second Team selection by Perfect Game … Perfect Game Preseason All-American.
Zack Oswald
Position: LHP
B/T: L/L
Class: Junior
Hometown: Hoboken, N.J.
High School (Previous School): Saint Peter's (Harford Community College/George Washington)
Notes: Went 5-0 in 13 appearances and 12 starts at Harford Community College, striking out 71 in 56 innings to earn All-Region Honorable Mention and helping lead squad to Junior College World Series … Rated as the No. 79 overall recruit and No. 6 LHP in the state of New Jersey by Perfect Game at Saint Peter's ... 2020 Perfect Game Preseason All-American Honorable Mention and 2019 Underclassman All-American Honorable Mention ... Earned all-parochial honors in 2018 and all-county honors in '19 ... Also played club baseball for Wladyka Baseball.
Holden Phelps
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Crystal Lake, Ill.
High School (Previous School): Prairie Ridge (Missouri)
Notes: Made six appearances with one start as a sophomore at Missouri in 2022, striking out 10 in 6.2 innings … Made 10 appearances as a freshman, fanning 12 in 12.2 frames … Ranked as Illinois' Class of 2020 No. 4 right-handed pitcher and No. 9 overall prospect in the state per Perfect Game while at Prairie Ridge ... Top-250 overall recruit nationally and No. 81 right-handed pitching prospect as well ... 2020 Perfect Game Preseason First-Team Central Region ... 2019 Perfect Game Preseason Third-Team Underclassmen All-American ... Participated at 2019 Perfect Game National Showcase.
Ryan Reed
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Ridley Park, Pa.
High School (Previous School): The Haverford School
Notes: Member of The Haverford School's state championship team in 2022 … Earned first team all-conference and all-county honors in 2021, registering a 1.61 ERA over 50.1 innings.
Drew Ripepi
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: McMurray, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Peters Township
Notes: Second Team all-conference selection and WPIAL Player of the Year runner-up at Peters Township, helping squad to a runner-up finish in the WPIAL … Was ranked the No. 8 overall recruit and No. 2 3B in the state of Pennsylvania by Perfect Game.
Dylan Simmons
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School (Previous School): Trinity Christian (Florida State)
Notes: Played in 60 games over three years at Florida State, hitting .278 with 30 hits, including eight doubles, to go along with 16 RBI … Also pitched 18.2 innings, striking out 19 … Named a 2020 Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball after hitting .378 with four doubles, seven RBI, four runs scored and eight walks drawn … 2021 ACC Academic Honor Roll … Earned honor roll all four years of high school at Trinity Christian … Helped lead the Conquerors to a regional title as a senior … Ranked the No. 1 high school first baseman.
Ryan Slattery
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Windermere, Fla.
High School (Previous School): TNXL Academy
Notes: Played three years at TNXL Academy, helping team win an NAA championship and earning AP Scholar recognition … Played travel ball for the FTB Phillies.
Jack Sokol
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
High School (Previous School): New Albany (Auburn)
Notes: Made five appearances, including three starts as a freshman at Auburn in 2021, posting a 1-1 record and striking out nine batters in 11.2 innings of work … Played prep ball at New Albany and travel ball for Ohio Elite and was rated the No. 4 player in Ohio according to Prep Baseball Report and the No. 6 player in the state according to Perfect Game ... Named a 2019 Perfect Game Preseason High Honorable Mention All-American ... Posted a career 19-1 record and 1.50 ERA ... Registered an 8-1 record and 1.04 ERA as a junior in 2019 and went on to earn a number of awards, including being named the Ohio Capital Conference Player of the Year, This Week Ohio News Player of the Year and All-Metro Columbus Ohio Player of the Year ... Also a two-time all-conference and all-district honoree ... Helped lead his team to back-to-back conference and district championships ... Broke the New Albany High School record for wins in a season by going 9-0 as a sophomore in 2018 ... Success continued with Ohio Elite as he posted a 5-1 record and 1.36 ERA while leading his team to four of seven tournament championships.
Caleb Sturtevant
Position: OF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Denver, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Cocalico
Notes: Three-time Lancaster Lebanon League All-Star at Cocalico … Led Cocalico to its first-ever state playoff appearance … Played travel ball for the East Coast Sandhogs and Keystone State Bombers.
Matt Travisano
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Carlisle, Mass.
High School (Previous School): Noble & Greenough
Notes: Under Armour All-American at Noble & Greenough … Rawlings Preseason All-American … Named to 2022 Perfect Game Preseason All-American and All-Region Teams.
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Joining the Panthers for the 2023 campaign are infielder Justin Acal, right-handed pitcher Nash Bryan, right-handed pitcher Erubiel Candelario, left-handed pitcher Sam Falace, right-handed pitcher Matthew Fernandez, left-handed pitcher Ethan Firoved, infielder Brett Heckert, infielder Nolan Kutney, infielder Anthony LaSala, right-handed pitcher Gavin Lill, outfielder Carlos Martinez, infielder Noah Martinez, catcher/infielder Jayden Melendez, right-handed pitcher Kyle Mosley, outfielder AJ Nessler, left-handed pitcher Zack Oswald, right-handed pitcher Holden Phelps, left-handed pitcher Ryan Reed, infielder Drew Ripepi, right-handed pitcher Dylan Simmons, right-handed pitcher Ryan Slattery, right-handed pitcher Jack Sokol, outfielder Caleb Sturtevant and infielder Matt Travisano.
The 2022 recruiting class features 11 freshmen and 13 transfers.
"We are extremely excited about this group," Bell said. "It brings a lot of depth and fills a lot of holes left behind by a group that succeeded on the field and in the classroom, with 14 guys earning a degree or certificate last year. I'd personally like to recognize Ty Megahee, Joe Mercadante, Drew Linder, Austin Thompson and Devin Mesoraco for their endless hours on the road. Evaluating, communicating and developing relationships takes a lot of time and effort. Without those efforts, none of this could be possible to build this championship roster. The future is bright, and we can't wait to get started."
The Panthers posted 29 victories in 2022 and reached the semifinals of the ACC Tournament for the first time since 2018 by upsetting 7-seed Georgia Tech (12-6) and 2-seed Louisville (6-5) last season. The 29 wins were Pitt's most in a single season since 2018 (29) and tied for the most in a season since joining the ACC in 2014.
Recruits by Position:
Pitchers: Bryan, Candelario, Falace, Fernandez, Firoved, Lill, Mosley, Oswald, Phelps, Reed, Simmons, Slattery, Sokol
Catchers: Melendez
Infielders: Acal, Heckert, Kutney, LaSala, N. Martinez, Melendez, Ripepi, Travisano
Outfielders: C. Martinez, Sturtevant
Utility: Nessler
Recruits by State/Country (Hometown):
Connecticut: N. Martinez (New Milford)
Florida: Fernandez (Miami), Melendez (Cutler Bay), Nessler (Tampa), Simmons (Jacksonville), Slattery (Windermere)
Illinois: Phelps (Crystal Lake)
Maryland: Acal (Frederick)
Massachusetts: Travisano (Carlisle)
New Jersey: Oswald (Hoboken)
New York: Candelario (Bronx), Falace (Cohoes)
Ohio: Sokol (New Albany)
Pennsylvania: Bryan (Butler), Heckert (Wexford), Kutney (Montoursville), LaSala (Aliquippa), Lill (West Chester), Reed (Ridley Park), Ripepi (McMurray), Sturtevant (Denver)
Puerto Rico: C. Martinez (Coamo)
Texas: Mosley (Mansfield)
Virginia: Firoved (Virginia Beach)
Justin Acal
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Frederick, Md.
High School (Previous School): Tuscarora (Frederick Community College)
Notes: In three seasons at Frederick Community College, hit .387 with a .494 OBP and .664 slugging percentage, registering 123 hits, 29 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, 88 RBI and 104 runs scored … Led Frederick Community College to a pair of Region 20 JUCO titles and World Series appearances … Garnered first team all-conference honors, first team all-region and All-Maryland honors … Played four years of high school ball at Tuscarora, earning both first team all-conference and all-county in his final two seasons … Played travel ball for both Mid Maryland United and BC Elite.
Nash Bryan
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Graduate
Hometown: Butler, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Butler (Seton Hill/Wheeling Jesuit)
Notes: Made 45 appearances over three seasons on the mound at Seton Hill, striking out 96 while issuing only 18 walks over 64.1 innings and sporting a 2.11 ERA … Struck out 54 against just nine walks and posted a 2.73 ERA over 24 appearances and 33 innings … Played at Wheeling Jesuit as a freshman in 2019, making two appearances on the mound … Earned all-section honors at Butler.
Erubiel Candelario
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Graduate
Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
High School (Previous School): Kipp (Marist College)
Notes: Played four years at Marist College, making 34 appearances on the mound with 19 starts … Posted a career record of 10-6, one save, a 4.17 ERA and 120 strikeouts over 123 innings of work … Earned 2022 All-MAAC First Team honors after starting 14 games and totaling a conference-best eight wins, striking out 88 batters over 76.1 innings … Played travel ball for the USC Knights, with team making an appearance in the Babe Ruth World Series.
Sam Falace
Position: LHP
B/T: L/L
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Colonie, N.Y.
High School (Previous School): Colonie Central
Notes: Went 5-1 on the mound with an 0.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and .109 BAA as a senior at Colonie Central in 2022, striking out 66 against just 18 walks and 14 hits allowing over 36.2 innings … Led squad to a Suburban Council regular season title in 2022.
Matthew Fernandez
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
High School (Previous School): Florida Christian (Miami Dade Community College/Florida International)
Notes: Made 17 starts at Miami Dade Community College in 2022, going 7-5 and striking out 110 against just 39 walks over 91.1 innings as his team finished as Florida state runners-up … Spent his 2021 freshman year at Florida International, where he made 13 appearances with 10 starts and struck out 37 in 40.2 innings … Earned First Team All-American honors and Miami Dade County First Team recognition for the second year in a row at Florida Christian in 2019 as his team won a district championship and finished as regional runners-up both years … Played two years of travel ball for the Florida Legends, making it to the Connie Mack World Series.
Ethan Firoved
Position: LHP
B/T: L/L
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va.
High School (Previous School): First Colonial (Tallahassee Community College/Virginia Tech)
Notes: Made 15 appearances and 13 starts on the mound at Tallahassee Community College in 2022, going 10-3 with one complete game and 96 strikeouts over 76.2 frames en route to Panhandle Conference Pitcher of the Year honors … Earned First Team All-State and Virginia Co-Player of the Year at First Colonial in 2019.
Brett Heckert
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Graduate
Hometown: Wexford, Pa.
High School (Previous School): North Allegheny (Allegheny College)
Notes: Played four years (2019-22) at Allegheny College, helping to lead Gators to an NCAC Tournament appearance in 2019 … Garnered all-conference honors in 2022 after hitting .326 … Led Allegheny College in OPS, runs, home runs, RBI and OBP in 2021 … Played high school ball at North Allegheny, where team earned WPIAL runner-up finishes in both 2017 and '18 … Played travel ball for the Pittsburgh Spikes … Father, EJ, played college baseball at Akron.
Nolan Kutney
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Montoursville, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Montoursville Area
Notes: Member of district championship teams at Montoursville as both a freshman and senior … Hit .444 with a .567 OBP, three triples and three home runs as a junior.
Anthony LaSala
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Aliquippa, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Hopewell
Notes: Played four years at Hopewell, guiding team to a WPIAL championship in 2021 after a runner-up finish in '19 … Hit .382 with 40 runs scored and went 5-4 on the mound with a 1.39 ERA as a senior … Earned all-section honors as both a junior and senior and was recognized as a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Finest 10.
Gavin Lill
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: West Chester, Pa.
High School (Previous School): West Chester East
Notes: Played four years at West Chester East … Was ranked the No. 5 RHP in the state of Pennsylvania by Perfect Game.
Carlos Martinez
Position: OF
B/T: L/L
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Coamo, Puerto Rico
High School (Previous School): P27 Academy
Notes: Played two years for P27 Academy … Competed on the travel ball circuit for Five Star, Elite Squad and Bodyshop Baseball, winning WWBA and BCS championships.
Noah Martinez
Position: INF
B/T: L/L
Class: Senior
Hometown: New Milford, Conn.
High School (Previous School): The Hotchkiss School/New Milford (Central Connecticut State)
Notes: Spent three seasons on the roster at Central Connecticut State, playing in 87 games over the last two and hitting .309 with 107 hits, 16 doubles, three triples, 22 home runs, 99 RBIs and 69 runs scored … Earned All-NECBL First Team honors in 2022 after ending the regular season with a .288 average, driving in a team-high 29 runs, smacking four home runs and seven doubles and scoring 23 runs … Hit .485 with three home runs to earn all-region honors at The Hotchkiss School in 2018 … Posted a .474 average with four home runs at New Milford in 2017, garnering all-state recognition.
Jayden Melendez
Position: C/INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
High School (Previous School): West Minister Christian (Florida International)
Notes: Played in 41 games with 38 starts at Florida International in 2022, hitting .232 with 32 hits, including five doubles and three home runs, to go along with 12 RBI and 13 runs scored … Played at Westminster Christian Academy … Perfect Game grade of 10 … Ranked the 118th best overall player and seventh-best catcher nationally by Perfect Game … Ranked the 15th best overall player and second-best catcher in Florida by Perfect Game … Named a Perfect Game All-American in 2020 … Attended the 2020 MLB Draft Combine … Named 2021 First-Team All-Dade by the Miami Herald … Helped Westminster to a State Runner-up finish and District championship in 2021 … Brother, MJ, currently plays for the Kansas City Royals.
Kyle Mosley
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Mansfield, Texas
High School (Previous School): Lake Ridge (Hill College)
Notes: Starting pitcher for three years at Hill College … Struck out 83 hitters over 60.2 innings in the 2022 campaign for Hill College … Played four years at Lake Ridge, helping team win a district title.
AJ Nessler
Position: UTL
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School (Previous School): Tampa Jesuit
Notes: Finished his prep career at Tampa Jesuit as a .433 hitter with a .320 OBP, 56 hits, 49 RBI, seven home runs and 41 runs scored … Served as team captain as a senior in 2022, guiding team to a state title after hitting .420 with a .333 OBP, 33 hits, 31 RBI and five home runs … High school team was ranked No. 1 in the country by Max Preps in 2021 and Perfect Game in '20 … Member of 2019 Tampa Jesuit squad that won a state title … Florida Region Second Team selection by Perfect Game … Perfect Game Preseason All-American.
Zack Oswald
Position: LHP
B/T: L/L
Class: Junior
Hometown: Hoboken, N.J.
High School (Previous School): Saint Peter's (Harford Community College/George Washington)
Notes: Went 5-0 in 13 appearances and 12 starts at Harford Community College, striking out 71 in 56 innings to earn All-Region Honorable Mention and helping lead squad to Junior College World Series … Rated as the No. 79 overall recruit and No. 6 LHP in the state of New Jersey by Perfect Game at Saint Peter's ... 2020 Perfect Game Preseason All-American Honorable Mention and 2019 Underclassman All-American Honorable Mention ... Earned all-parochial honors in 2018 and all-county honors in '19 ... Also played club baseball for Wladyka Baseball.
Holden Phelps
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Crystal Lake, Ill.
High School (Previous School): Prairie Ridge (Missouri)
Notes: Made six appearances with one start as a sophomore at Missouri in 2022, striking out 10 in 6.2 innings … Made 10 appearances as a freshman, fanning 12 in 12.2 frames … Ranked as Illinois' Class of 2020 No. 4 right-handed pitcher and No. 9 overall prospect in the state per Perfect Game while at Prairie Ridge ... Top-250 overall recruit nationally and No. 81 right-handed pitching prospect as well ... 2020 Perfect Game Preseason First-Team Central Region ... 2019 Perfect Game Preseason Third-Team Underclassmen All-American ... Participated at 2019 Perfect Game National Showcase.
Ryan Reed
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Ridley Park, Pa.
High School (Previous School): The Haverford School
Notes: Member of The Haverford School's state championship team in 2022 … Earned first team all-conference and all-county honors in 2021, registering a 1.61 ERA over 50.1 innings.
Drew Ripepi
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: McMurray, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Peters Township
Notes: Second Team all-conference selection and WPIAL Player of the Year runner-up at Peters Township, helping squad to a runner-up finish in the WPIAL … Was ranked the No. 8 overall recruit and No. 2 3B in the state of Pennsylvania by Perfect Game.
Dylan Simmons
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School (Previous School): Trinity Christian (Florida State)
Notes: Played in 60 games over three years at Florida State, hitting .278 with 30 hits, including eight doubles, to go along with 16 RBI … Also pitched 18.2 innings, striking out 19 … Named a 2020 Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball after hitting .378 with four doubles, seven RBI, four runs scored and eight walks drawn … 2021 ACC Academic Honor Roll … Earned honor roll all four years of high school at Trinity Christian … Helped lead the Conquerors to a regional title as a senior … Ranked the No. 1 high school first baseman.
Ryan Slattery
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Windermere, Fla.
High School (Previous School): TNXL Academy
Notes: Played three years at TNXL Academy, helping team win an NAA championship and earning AP Scholar recognition … Played travel ball for the FTB Phillies.
Jack Sokol
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
High School (Previous School): New Albany (Auburn)
Notes: Made five appearances, including three starts as a freshman at Auburn in 2021, posting a 1-1 record and striking out nine batters in 11.2 innings of work … Played prep ball at New Albany and travel ball for Ohio Elite and was rated the No. 4 player in Ohio according to Prep Baseball Report and the No. 6 player in the state according to Perfect Game ... Named a 2019 Perfect Game Preseason High Honorable Mention All-American ... Posted a career 19-1 record and 1.50 ERA ... Registered an 8-1 record and 1.04 ERA as a junior in 2019 and went on to earn a number of awards, including being named the Ohio Capital Conference Player of the Year, This Week Ohio News Player of the Year and All-Metro Columbus Ohio Player of the Year ... Also a two-time all-conference and all-district honoree ... Helped lead his team to back-to-back conference and district championships ... Broke the New Albany High School record for wins in a season by going 9-0 as a sophomore in 2018 ... Success continued with Ohio Elite as he posted a 5-1 record and 1.36 ERA while leading his team to four of seven tournament championships.
Caleb Sturtevant
Position: OF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Denver, Pa.
High School (Previous School): Cocalico
Notes: Three-time Lancaster Lebanon League All-Star at Cocalico … Led Cocalico to its first-ever state playoff appearance … Played travel ball for the East Coast Sandhogs and Keystone State Bombers.
Matt Travisano
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Carlisle, Mass.
High School (Previous School): Noble & Greenough
Notes: Under Armour All-American at Noble & Greenough … Rawlings Preseason All-American … Named to 2022 Perfect Game Preseason All-American and All-Region Teams.
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