Top players to watch in Berks I baseball
Top players to watch in Division I of the Berks Baseball League in 2023
(listed in alphabetical order)
Cameron Burr, Muhlenberg: All-Berks third baseman was a catalyst for league championship club, batting .400 with a .543 on-base percentage that was second-best in the league as a sophomore. Scored team-leading 25 runs, tied for fourth-most in the league, and stole 13 bases, tied for fourth in the league. Went 4-0 on the mound with 2.55 ERA and struck out 20 over 22 innings.
Bryce Detweiler, Gov. Mifflin: Sophomore earned all-division honors by batting .339 with 16 runs scored and 16 RBIs in 23 games. Fourth on the team with .902 OPS. Drew 15 walks, second on the team, and had .461 on-base percentage; struck out just nine times. Played third base and shortstop; will see time on the mound this season, as well.
Gio Cavanna, Muhlenberg: All-Division pick in Berks 2 after batting .367 with 20 runs scored, third on the team, and 15 RBIs, fifth. Stolen eight bases in 10 attempts. Junior also played a strong right field for the division and county champs.
Ethan Grim, Gov. Mifflin: Emerged as a top pitcher, going 6-1 with a 1.52 as a freshman. Struck out 40 over 41 1/3 innings, with 36 hits allowed, to earn all-division honors. Picked off five baserunners. Will also see time in the outfield. Batted .308 last season with .514 on-base percentage, third on the team.
Alex Kelsey, Exeter: League’s best leadoff man last season led the league with 30 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. Batted .385, third on the team, and had .495 on-base percentage, 11th in the league. Third on PIAA-qualifying Eagles with .982 OPS. Fleet center fielder covers a lot of ground.
Tyler Minick, Gov. Mifflin: Berks Player of the Year led league with .500 batting average, six homers, .616 on-base average, 1.018 slugging percentage and 1.634 OPS. Scored 28 runs and stole 11 bases in 12 attempts. Went 4-0 on the mound with league-low 0.93 ERA over 30 innings, striking out 42. Committed to play at the University of Connecticut.
Kenay Rodriguez, Muhlenberg: Shortstop batted .414, second on the team, drove in 17 runs, third on the team, and scored 17 runs last season. Had six doubles, a homer and .534 slugging percentage that was third-best on the team. Reached base at a .471 clip. Went 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts.
Shane Rosenberry, Muhlenberg: All-Division pick in Berks 2 as a sophomore splitting time behind the plate. Committed just one error in 139 chances. Batted .357 with .500 slugging percentage. Team allowed just 25 stolen bases in 22 games.
Devin Sheerin, Exeter: Big right-hander was Eagles’ top pitcher as a junior, going 6-2 with 2.59 ERA and 84 strikeouts over team-high 56 2/3 innings. Opposing batters hit just .216 against him.
Finished second in the league in strikeouts and innings pitched, tied for third in the league in wins. Will be key presence in middle of lineup after driving in 20 runs in 26 games and batting .275 with .449 slugging percentage. Committed to Mount St. Mary’s.
VanOstenbridge, Wilson: Junior left-hander is getting looks from Division I programs such as Kent State, Kansas State and Penn State after going 4-2 with a team-best 1.46 ERA as a sophomore. Earned all-division honors after striking out 57 over 38 1/3 innings and allowing just 23 hits. Opposing batters hit just .173 against him.
Alexander Velez, Gov. Mifflin: Berks Pitcher of the Year went unbeaten and led the league with eight wins, and had two saves, in 12 appearances. Finished fourth in league with 50 innings pitched, and fourth with 64 strikeouts.
Held opposing batters to .206 average. As a batter, led league with 32 RBIs, second in the league with a .453 average, fifth with .640 slugging percentage and ninth with .505 on-base percentage. Will play second base when not on the mound.
Others to watch:
Carter Cordora, senior, SS, Exeter
Chase Cupitt, senior, C, Exeter
Rafael Fernandez, senior, CF, Wilson
Drew Fidler, senior, P/OF, Muhlenberg
Dalton Follweiler, senior, P/2B, Muhlenberg
Owen Geng, senior, P, Wilson
Travis Jenkins, sophomore, C/CF, Gov. Mifflin
Matt Novotny, senior, P, Gov. Mifflin
Jonathan Radwinski, senior, 1B, Gov. Mifflin
Nick Ruiz, senior, 2B, Wilson
Ryan Sekulski, senior, OF, Wilson
Darien Troche, senior, C/P, Gov. Mifflin