University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Baseball Announces 2023 Recruiting Class
9/1/2023 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH – The Pitt baseball program unveiled their 2023 recruiting class Friday morning, head coach Mike Bell announced.
The program welcomed 25 newcomers to Oakland this past week, consisting of 14 transfers (1 junior college transfer) and 11 freshmen.
The 25 newcomers included Ryan Andrade, Chris Baker, Nate Beimel, Tyler Bischke, Keeton Burroughs, Luke Cantwell, Gavin Chillot, Aiden Coleman, Richie Dell, Kayden Faulcon, Justin Fogel, Phil Fox, Turner Grau, Cameron Grindle, Will Hummel, Jake Kendro, Ben Kovel, Ryan Partridge, Sebastian Pisacreta, Matthew Porter, Bryce Rudisill, Josh Spiegel, Jonah St. Antoine, Austyn Winkleblech, and Ryan Zuckerman.
"We are extremely excited about this year's group of newcomers," said head coach Mike Bell. "This group has a lot of depth & experience which are both needed in today's ever-changing landscape of college athletics. These newcomers will have an immediate impact in our lineup & on the mound creating great competition within our program."
The Panthers are looking to build off a year where they made a third-consecutive ACC Tournament and had wins against No. 2 Wake Forest, No. 7 Virginia (series win), No. 11 Miami and No. 21 Florida State.
2023 Recruiting Class By The Numbers
25 Newcomers
13 College Transfers
11 Freshman
1 Junior College Transfer
7 WPIAL Products
By Position
12 Pitchers: Ryan Andrade, Nate Beimel, Gavin Chillot, Aiden Coleman, Richie Dell, Kayden Faulcon, Phil Fox, Cameron Grindle, Will Hummel, Ben Kovel, Ryan Partridge, Matt Porter
7 Infielders: Tyler Bischke, Keeton Burroughs, Luke Cantwell, Jake Kendro, Bryce Rudisill, Jonah St. Antoine, Ryan Zuckerman
3 Outfielders: Chris Baker, Turner Grau, Austyn Winkleblech
3 Catchers: Justin Fogel, Sebastian Pisacreta, Josh Spiegel
By Class
College Transfers (13): Ryan Andrade, Chris Baker, Nate Beimel, Tyler Bischke, Luke Cantwell, Richie Dell, Justin Fogel, Phil Fox, Turner Grau, Jake Kendro, Ben Kovel, Ryan Partridge, Josh Spiegel
Junior College Transfers (1): Matt Porter
Freshman (11): Keeton Burroughs, Gavin Chillot, Aiden Coleman, Kayden Faulcon, Cameron Grindle, Will Hummel, Sebastian Pisacreta, Bryce Rudisill, Jonah St. Antoine, Austyn Winkleblech, Ryan Zuckerman
Ryan Andrade
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Middletown, RI
High School (Previous School): Middletown (University of Rhode Island)
The Andrade File: Spent his first two seasons of collegiate baseball at the University of Rhode Island … Was an All-Atlantic 10 Second Team performer as a sophomore … Led the bullpen with his 20 appearances and earned seven saves as Rhode Island's primary closer in 2023, he had 38 strikeouts over 33.0 innings of work … Went 1-1 in his 12 appearances as a freshman, struck out 22 batters in 24.0 innings … Attended Middletown High School in Middletown, RI where he was named to the honor roll all four years … Named the 2021 Rhode Island High School Player of the Year while earning First Team All-State honors … Went 6-0 with a 0.58 ERA and 108 strikeouts as a senior, helping his high school win a state title.
Chris Baker
Position: OF
B/T: L/R
Class: Graduate Student
Hometown: Moorestown, NJ
High School (Previous School): Moorestown (University of Virginia)
The Baker File: Transferred to the University of Virginia ahead of the 2023 season after spending the previous four years at Washington College … Played in 27 games as a graduate transfer for Virginia, had 12 RBI, 10 hits and four doubles … Had a pinch-hit walk-off single against Florida State … Was named First Team All-Centennial Conference at Washington College in 2021, was a second team selection in 2022 … Was named to the 2021 ABCA/Rawlings All-Mid-Atlantic Region second team … Led Washington College in runs scores (46), walks (25), steals (19) and triples (6) in 2022 as he hit .329 with 12 doubles, 29 RBI and slugged .530 … His 46 runs tied a program record for most runs scored in a season … 2022 Eldridge Eliason Award winner, given annually to an athlete with scholastic standing in the upper half of the class who had achieved the most in athletics … Led the Centennial Conference and his team in home runs (5), RBI (29), runs scored (25), triples (3) and stolen bases (14) while tying for the lead in hits (34) during the 2021 season … Played baseball and basketball at Moorestown High School in Moorestown, NJ … Was a three-time First Team All-Liberty Division selection and a two-time Second Team All-Burlington County selection for baseball … Was selected to play in the Carpenter Cup on three occasions.
Nate Beimel
Position: LHP
B/T: L/L
Class: Freshman
Hometown: St. Mary's, PA
High School (Previous School): St. Mary's (Columbia University)
The Beimel File: Spent his previous three seasons at Columbia University … Made two appearances out of the bullpen for the Lions as a freshman in 2020 … Earned first career win at Nebraska after only allowing one run over his four innings of relief, would go on to win Ivy League Rookie of the Week because of his performance … Was a four-year letter winner at St. Mary's Area High School … Threw three consecutive no-hitters during his junior year … Struck out 98 batters over 40 innings of work as a senior in 2019 … Was named District MVP in both 2018 and 2019.
Tyler Bischke
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Senior
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School (Previous School): Hampton (University of New Orleans)
The Bischke File: Previously played at Kent State, Murray College State, and the University of New Orleans … Made 44 starts in 45 games played last season at the University of New Orleans … Hit .309 with 54 RBI, 16 doubles, 12 home runs and 73 hits while slugging .530 … Named 2023 First Team All-Conference, 2023 All-Academic First Team, 2023 ABCA Second Team All-South Region, 2023 Second Team All-Louisiana and the 2023 Southland Baseball Student-Athlete of the Year … Led Murray State College in runs scored during the 2021 season with 57 … hit .331 with 35 RBI, 16 stolen bases and seven home runs that year … Played both baseball and basketball at local Hampton High School … Was named First Team All-State twice while at Hampton … Helped the Pittsburgh Diamond Dawgs to a 2018 CABA World Series Title.
Keeton Burroughs
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Odessa, FL
High School (Previous School): Calvary Christian
The Burroughs File: Was a 2023 graduate of Calvary Christian High School in Odessa, Fl … Hit .303 in 32 games during his senior year … Had 19 RBI, 30 runs scored, six doubles and one triple … Helped Calvary Christian win the FHSAA state championship as a senior in 2023 … Ranked as the 50th shortstop in the state of Florida.
Luke Cantwell
Position: INF
B/T: L/R
Class: Junior
Hometown: Warrington, PA
High School (Previous School): Archbishop Wood (Fairleigh Dickinson University)
The Cantwell File: Spent the past two seasons at Farleigh Dickinson University … Played in 37 games as a freshman and made 30 starts, hit six home runs, four doubles and had 20 RBI … Made massive improvements from his freshman year to his sophomore year at FDU … His batting average jumped from .255 in 2022 to .331 in 2023 and he more than doubled his home run, double, stolen base and RBI totals … Had 51 RBI, 50 hits, a team-leading 14 home runs, 13 doubles, six stolen bases and slugged .709 in 2023 … Was a First Team All-NEC selection as a sophomore … Was named to Farleigh Dickinson's Dean's List … Attended Archbishop Wood High School, located just north of Philadelphia, PA, where he was the first ever two-year captain … Hit .404 as a senior with 16 RBI and five doubles and was named to the First Team All-Catholic League.
Gavin Chillot
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Springbrook Township, PA
High School (Previous School): North Pocono
The Chillot File: Played at North Pocono High School in Covington Township, PA … Was a .340 hitter during his three years at the varsity level, totaling 10 home runs and 51 RBI, hitting .449 as a senior … On the mound he finished his high school career with a 14-1 record and a 0.81 ERA … Maintained a 0.53 ERA in 10 appearances as a junior and a 0.50 ERA in nine appearances as a senior … Collected seven wins in each of his last two years … Only allowed seven earned runs during his junior and senior years, struck out 131 batters in that time frame … Threw a complete game shutout in his final high school start … Ranked as the No. 21 overall player in Pennsylvania.
Aiden Coleman
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
High School (Previous School): Reagan
The Coleman File: Played at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, TX … Was named First Team All-State in both 2022 and 2023 … Was a 2022 All-State Tournament Team selection … Named to the 2023 Elite Team and was a Texas 6A All Star … Played travel ball for the Lonestar Baseball Club where they were ranked as the No.2 team in the south region and the No. 17 team in the country by Perfect Game … Finished high school with a 3.8 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Richie Dell
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Graduate Student
Hometown: Bridgeville, PA
High School (Previous School): South Fayette (Kent State University)
The Dell File: Appeared in 45 games and earned 10 wins during his four-year career at Kent State … Threw 136.2 innings for the Golden Flashes, made 18 starts and struck out 122 batters … Threw a complete game, two-hit, shutout against Central Michigan during his junior year in 2022 and was named the MAC Pitcher of the Week … Is a Bridgeville, Pa native and played at South Fayette High School … He had a 6-2 record with a 1.94 ERA while hitting .339 with two home runs and 19 RBI during his senior year of high school … Helped South Fayette win the WPIAL Class 4A baseball championship in 2018 … Was the 38th ranked RHP in Pennsylvania coming out of high school, the 103 ranked player overall in Pa … Played travel ball for the Pittsburgh Diamond Dawgs.
Kayden Faulcon
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Yardley, PA
High School (Previous School): Pennsbury
The Faulcon File: Played at Pennsbury High School … Had a 13-2 record with a 1.56 ERA during his high school career, appearing 27 games and making 15 starts … Was high school teammates with current Pitt teammate Ryan Zuckerman.
Justin Fogel
Position: C
B/T: L/R
Class: Senior
Hometown: Yardley, PA
High School (Previous School): Pennsbury (Penn State Abington)
The Fogel File: Was a career .470 hitter with 25 home runs, 30 doubles, and 102 runs batted in at Division III Penn State Abington … Led the nation in batting average during his junior season, hitting .497 and earning All-America and all-region honors … Collected career-highs in nearly every offensive statistical category including hits (72), runs scores (54), RBI (53), home runs (15), doubles (14) and triples (2) in 2023 … Was named the 2023 All-United East Player of the Year following his career year … In 2022 he received multiple All-Region honors, being named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region 4 First Team and the D3Baseball.com All-Region 4 Third Team … As a freshman in 2021, Fogel was an All-NEAC First Team selection, a NEAC Scholar-Athlete and was named NEAC Rookie of the Year … He was the second player in program history to be named both Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year throughout his career … Named to the Dean's List in 2021 and 2022
Phil Fox
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Ruffs Dale
High School (Previous School): Hempfield Area (Gardner-Webb University)
The Fox File: Spent the past two years at Gardner-Webb University … Underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2022 and was named to the Big South All-Freshman Team as a redshirt freshman the following year … He appeared in 23 games and made one start over 30.1 innings … Emerged as the team's closer and lead the Runnin' Bulldogs in that category with three saves last season … Played at local Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg, PA where he was ranked as one of the top-500 players in the country … As a two-way player in high school, he hit .300 with seven runs scored during his sophomore year while he maintained a 2.62 ERA on the mound in six appearances … Played for the East Coast Sandhogs travel ball team that won the Perfect Game WWBA Northeast Qualifier.
Turner Grau
Position: OF
B/T: L/R
Class: Graduate Student
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School (Previous School): Avonworth (Youngstown State University)
The Grau File: Played four years at Youngtown State University … Started in 132 of the 134 games he played in … Was a career .265 hitter with 89 RBI, 88 runs scored, 23 doubles, 15 triples and 12 home runs … His 15 career triples are a program record … Started in all 53 games he played in as a senior, hit .272 with 56 hits, seven triples and 28 RBI … Led all of the Horizon League in triples (7) and ranked fourth in stolen bases (15) during the 2023 season … Hit .295 and slugged .541 as a sophomore in 2021, starting in all 54 games he appeared in … Had career highs in batting average, slugging percentage, hits (61), RBI (42), doubles (13), home runs (8) and triples (7) … His seven triples led the Horizon League and ranked him second in the country … Was a three-sport athlete (baseball, basketball and football) at Avonworth High School … Was named All-Section in baseball as a sophomore and junior and All-Section in football as a junior … Ranked as the 85th overall prospect in the state of Pennsylvania by Prep Baseball Report.
Cameron Grindle
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Mansfield, MA
High School (Previous School): Xaverian Brothers
The Grindle File: Played at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, Massachusetts … Started on the Xaverian Brothers 2021 MIAA Division 1 Championship team … Was a 2023 Catholic Conference All Star … Rated as the No.4 RHP and No.9 overall players in Massachusetts … Made the Honor Roll all four years of high school with his 4.73 GPA … Was a member of the National Honors Society.
Will Hummel
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA
High School (Previous School): Mechanicsburg
The Hummel File: Played at Mechanicsburg Area High School where he was a second team All-Mid Penn Conference all-star … Was an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society in high school … Played travel ball for the Upper Allen Wildcats and the Mid Penn Prospects.
Jake Kendro
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: North Huntington, PA
High School (Previous School): Norwin (University of Tennessee)
The Kendro File: Spent his freshman year at the University of Tennessee and helped them make a trip to the 2023 College World Series … Played in 24 games as a freshman, made seven starts … Had six RBI, six runs scored, hit four doubles and one home run in his first collegiate season … Made the Dean's List as a freshman at Tennessee … Played high school baseball for the Norwin Knights in nearby North Huntingdon, PA where he made back-to-back PIAA state playoff appearances … Was a First Team All-Section performer during his junior and senior seasons at Norwin … Hit .315 with three home runs as a junior in 2021 and hit .310 with four home runs as a senior in 2022 … Was ranked a top 500 prospect by Perfect Game and the No. 22 overall player in all of Pennsylvania in 2022 … Named a 2022 Perfect Game Preseason All-American honorable mention selection and Atlantic all-region team pick … Two-time Perfect Game Preseason Underclassman All-American Honorable Mention selection (2020 & 2021) … Earned four Perfect Game All-Tournament Team honors during his prep career, including the 2021 WWBA 17U National Championship and the 2019 WWBA Underclass World Championship.
Ben Kovel
Position: RHP
B/T: R/R
Class: Graduate Student
Hometown: Merrick, NY
High School (Previous School): Sanford H. Calhoun (Fordham University)
The Kovel File: Spent the previous four seasons at Fordham University … Has made 65 appearances over his four year career, accumulating 108.2 innings of work … Finished his Fordham career tied for seventh in saves, with 13 … Spent the past two years in Fordham's closer role and earned 12 saves, four as a junior and eight as a senior (T-6th for a single season) … Struck out a career-high 53 batters during his senior year in 2023 … Named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll in two out of his final three years at Fordham.
Ryan Partridge
Position: LHP
B/T: R/L
Class: Graduate Student
Hometown: Wexford, PA
High School (Previous School): North Allegheny (Penn State University)
The Partridge File: Spent the previous four seasons at Penn State University … Made 47 appearances over 61 innings of work while striking out 53 batters throughout his collegiate career … Did not allow an earned run in 34 of his 47 appearances … Made his first career start at PNC Park against Pitt late in the 2023 season … Made 20 appearances in each of the last two seasons … Earned a win and a save during his senior year, had a streak where he did not allow a run over 12 appearances … Struck out 18 batters in 23.1 innings throughout his junior season in 2022, had a 3.38 ERA in his six appearances during conference games… Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in his final three seasons at Penn State … Was a 2023 College Sports Communicators' Academic All-District selection … Played at North Allegheny High School in nearby Wexford, Pa. … Was named first team all-section as a senior in 2019 … Played his travel ball for the Pittsburgh Spikes and Allegheny Pirates.
Sebastian Pisacreta
Position: C
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Moorestown, NJ
High School (Previous School): TNXL Academy
The Pisacreta File: Played for Sam Tropiano at Bishop Eustace in New Jersey where he helped win the 2021 South Jersey Diamond Classic Championship … Hit .262 as a junior at Bishop Eustace with 5 home runs, 18 RBI and two doubles … Played two years for Brian Martinez at TNXL Academy in Central Florida …Helped the team earn back-to-back NAA Championships and was named an All-Star both years … Ranked the No. 2 catcher and No. 9 overall player in the state of New Jersey by Perfect Game, is also ranked as the No. 42 catcher in the entire country.
Matt Porter
Position: LHP
B/T: L/L
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL
High School (Previous School): Prairie Ridge (Lake Land College)
The Porter File: Played his previous two seasons at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois … Appeared in 26 games over his two years at Lake Land and made 19 starts … Had a 7-4 record and struck out 123 batters over 86.0 innings of work … Made his first start and earned his first win against Black Hawk College on March 6 as he struck out eight hitters over just four innings … Was an All-Conference selection with the Lakers … Earned a cumulative 3.5 GPA over his two years at Lake Land … Attended Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, Illinois where he was an All-Area selection.
Bryce Rudisill
Position: INF
B/T: L/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Gettysburg, PA
High School (Previous School): Gettysburg Area
The Rudisill File: Played three years on varsity at Gettysburg Area High School in Gettysburg, Pa … Hit .333 in 60 career games in high school, totaled 55 RBI, 15 doubles and seven home runs in those three years … Hit .389 with 23 RBI, three home runs, three triples, five doubles and 20 runs scored during his junior year … Ranked the No. 2 third baseman and No. 28 overall player in Pennsylvania.
Josh Spiegel
Position: C/INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Graduate Student
Hometown: Jennette, PA
High School (Previous School): Penn Trafford (Penn State University)
The Spiegel File: Began collegiate career at Oklahoma State before spending the past three seasons at Penn State … Is ranked eighth in Penn State baseball program history for most doubles in a season with his 17 doubles during the 2022 season … Started 41 out of 42 games as a redshirt senior in 2023, hit .276 with four doubles, three home runs, a triple and 25 RBI … Hit .300 over his 55 games played in 2022, splitting time between catcher, first base and DH … Smacked a team-high 17 doubles, with 10 home runs, two triples, 34 runs scored and 43 RBI … Attended local Penn Trafford High School where he was a 2018 All-Atlantic Region First Team selection and a Perfect Game All-American Honorable Mention.
Jonah St. Antoine
Position: INF
B/T: L/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
High School (Previous School): Forest Hills Northern
The St. Antoine File: Played at Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids, Mi … Hit .410 throughout his high school career, with 42 doubles, 15 triples, six home runs and 97 stolen bases … Was a state semifinalist as a junior in 2022 … Ranked as the No. 6 shortstop and a top 20 all-around player in the state of Michigan.
Austyn Winkleblech
Position: OF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Canonsburg, PA
High School (Previous School): Canon McMillan
The Winkleblech File: Played baseball, football and ran track at local Canon-McMillon in Canonsburg, Pa where he was a First Team All-Conference starting pitcher and wide receiver … Hit .291 as a senior, had six RBI, four doubles one triple and scored 23 runs … Went 5-2 over 13 appearances during his senior year, maintained a 2.60 ERA and threw three complete games … Set a WPIAL Championships record in the 100-meter dash, running a 10.62 in the preliminary round.
Ryan Zuckerman
Position: INF
B/T: R/R
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Yardley, PA
High School (Previous School): Pennsbury
The Zuckerman File: Attended Pennsbury High School where he played both baseball and basketball … Was an All-Area Team selection and a Carpenter Cup selection … Ranked the No. 1 shortstop and No. 22 overall player in Pennsylvania … Attended high school with current Pitt teammate Kayden Faulcon … Was a Presidential Award winner, Honor Roll student and member of the National Honor Society in high school.
