The Philadelphia Baseball Review again collaborated with local talent evaluators in the Philadelphia region to spotlight top players across various collegiate levels for our annual All-Philly Region Preseason Selections. This joint effort aims to identify impactful players set to make a difference in the upcoming 2024 season.
Here's a breakdown of key players by position with Philly-area programs at the D-III level:
C - Josh Crowding (GR., Immaculata): Was the team leader in numerous offensive categories, including batting average (.415), hits (61), doubles (22), home runs (5), RBI (56) and slugging percentage (.680). His team lead in hits, doubles, and RBI, all set new single season program records. Named the Atlantic East Conference Player of the Year.
1B - Tyler Warr (JR., Cairn): The Neshaminy grad hit .491 last season with ten doubles, seven triples, and four homers. His batting average was the third best in Division III. Was a First Team All-CSAC honoree, plus earned Second Team All-Region recognition from the ABCA.
INF - Jaden Dickerson (JR., Cabrini): Hit .345 last season while being recognized as one of the best offensive threats in the Atlantic East. Finished second with a 1.005 OPS and led the club with 21 doubles.
INF - Colton Narciso (SR., Cabrini): Another key bat for the Cavs, he hit .352 last season while posting a .953 OPS. He also drove in 34 runs and clubbed six homers.
SS - Dustin Sutton (GR., Cabrini): Earned All-Atlantic East honors last year after helping leads the Cavs at the plate with a .353 average, 13 doubles, and nine homers. He also scored 55 runs and drove in 45 while stealing 14 bags.
OF/P - Cooper Root (JR., Gwynedd Mercy): A two-way player who showcased solid improvement on the mound last year, finishing 4-1 with a 3.59 ERA over 52 2/3 innings. Contributed also with the bat, hitting a team-best .395 with six doubles and 27 RBIs.
OF - Matt Donchez (GR., Arcadia): Earned All-MAC Freedom Second Team honors last year after hitting .357 with five doubles, two triples, and driving in 29 runs. The Archbishop Wood graduate also stole nine bags and committed only three errors on the season.
OF - Anthony Bruno (JR., Arcadia): The Hatboro-Horsham grad hit .327 with six homers and 59 RBIs last season. He was also an ABCA All-Region honoree.
P - Liam Alpern (JR., Swarthmore): The Centennial Conference Pitcher of the Year and an All-Centennial First Team honoree, he posted a 1.50 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP over 60 innings. He limited opponents to a .159 batting average and collected 63 strikeouts.
P - Jason Hughes (SR., Immaculata): He broke several program records during his historic 2023 campaign, including innings pitched (73.0), strikeouts in a season (101), and most wins in a season (9). Hughes finished his junior season with a .202 batting average against to go along with a 1.97 earned run average. Was the Atlantic East Conference Pitcher of the Year.
P - Hayden O'Neill (SO., Widener): Posted a 2.99 ERA last season over 15 appearances. Earned recognition as a Region 5 All-Region Third Team honoree. Finished with a 6-2 mark and tossed 69 1/3 innings.