Top players to watch in Berks III baseball
Top players to watch in Division III of the Berks Baseball League in 2023:
(listed in alphabetical order)
Luke Bensinger, Hamburg: Shortstop led division champs with 21 runs scored as a junior. Had .457 on-base average with 15 RBIs. Been starter for Hawks since freshman season. One of just three seniors on team.
Scottie Dunleavy, Hamburg: Coming off tremendous freshman season that saw him bat .301 and post .514 on-base percentage as leadoff hitter. All-Division pick scored 16 runs. One of fastest players in the league; covers a lot of ground in center field. Big upside.
Kelton Faulk, Schuylkill Valley: Was top pitcher on staff as a junior, going 3-2 with a team-best 1.91 ERA. Had two complete games over seven starts. Struck out 32 over 33 innings. Limited opposing hitters to .210 batting average.
Nate Gilbert, Hamburg: Been a starter behind the plate since his freshman season. Batted .274 with 14 RBIs as a junior. Strong presence behind the plate for Berks III favorite Hawks. Charged with running a talented but relatively inexperienced pitching staff.
Matt Kramer, Wyomissing: Anchored pitching staff as a junior, going 4-2 with a 2.24 ERA over 13 appearances. Earned all-division honors after striking out 30 over 34 1/3 innings. Limited opposing hitters to .222 batting average. Top returning hitter after batting .362 with 17 runs scored, 12 RBIs and eight extra-base hits. Was second on team with .534 slugging average and with .982 OPS.
Conner Licklider, Hamburg: Second baseman batted .391 with team-leading .512 on-base percentage, seventh-best in the league. Earned all-division status after scoring 20 runs, driving in 10 and hitting eight doubles. Will see more time on the mound after striking out 14 over 8 2/3 innings last season. Starter since freshman season.
Parker Nein, Berks Catholic: Had impressive sophomore season, earning all-division honors after going 5-0 with a 1.08 ERA that was second-lowest in the league. Struck out 37 over team-leading 39 innings. Batted .306 with 12 RBIs, 10 runs scored and six doubles.
Paul Peterson, Oley Valley: Was one of the league’s top sophomores last season, batting .314 with team-leading 23 runs scored for Berks League finalist. All-Division pick also stole seven bases. Will see increased role on the mound, where he went 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA and 22 strikeouts over 24 inning last season.
Chase Reifsnyder, Oley Valley: Top returning hitter is still several weeks away from return due to recovery from broken hand and subsequent surgery after soccer injury. When he returns he’ll move to center field. Batted .317 as a junior with 20 runs scored and 16 RBIs. His .849 OPS last season was third-best on the team; his .428 slugging percentage was second. Threw 25 innings last season, compiling 3.36 ERA, but his availability there remains in question since he wasn’t able to throw during the offseason or in preseason.
Denny Rodriguez, Berks Catholic: Takes over at catcher for graduated RJ Emrich. Batted .346 as a freshman, with 18 RBIs in 21 games, second on the team. Slugged .500 with .460 on-base percentage that was second on the team.
Other top players to watch:
Tyler Drobnek, senior OF, Oley Valley
Colby Crills, junior C/OF, Schuylkill Valley
Brandon Fetherolf, P/3B/OF, junior Hamburg
Eli Houser, senior, SS/P, Schuylkill Valley
Isaac Krick, junior, P, Hamburg
Tyler Shuey, sophomore, 3B/P, Hamburg:
Birkley Ziegler, sophomore, 2B, Wyomissing
Pacen Ziegler, senior, 1B, Wyomissing