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-II level:
C - John DeMucci (SR., West Chester): Received recognition as an honorable mention all-region selection last spring, capping off an impressive season where he emerged as West Chester's top hitter with a .345 batting average with four homers and 34 RBIs. Throughout the season, DeMucci showcased a stellar .923 OPS, along with a slugging percentage of .483 and an on-base percentage of .440. He demonstrated his speed on the basepaths, successfully stealing 18 bases out of 20 attempts.
INF - Chris McLean (SR., Jefferson): Led the Rams with a .381 batting average, 44 RBIs, and a 1.071 OPS. Was also solid in the field, posting a .987 fielding percentage.
INF - Zack Miles (SR., West Chester): Appeared in and started 51 games at second base. During this time, he batted .307 (50-for-163) with six doubles, three triples, and one home run. He knocked in 29 runs and scored 36 himself. Additionally, he walked 28 times and was hit by a pitch five times. He executed three sacrifice flies and four sacrifice hits. Impressively, he stole eight bases in eight tries. He boasted a .399 slugging percentage and a .417 on-base percentage, posting a .816 OPS. Throughout five PSAC Tournament games, he maintained a batting average of .688 and scored four runs.
INF - Justin Geiger (JR., Chestnut Hill): Led the Griffins with a .333 average while posting a .854 OPS. Stole 18 bags on 21 attempts while also hitting three homers and driving in 33 runs.
OF: Marquise Wood (SR., Jefferson): Achieved a batting average of .360 across 47 contests, showcasing his power with seven doubles, two triples, and seven home runs. He also contributed significantly with 40 RBI and 36 runs scored. With an impressive OPS of 1.043, he displayed his effectiveness at the plate. On the basepaths, Wood demonstrated his speed by successfully stealing 21 bases out of 27 attempts. His performance ranked him tied for fifth in stolen bases and sixth in on-base percentage (.470) in the CACC. Notably, he tied for the team lead in home runs.
OF - Evan Profy (SR., West Chester): Maintained a batting average of .329 (69-for-210), showcasing his prowess with 11 doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Additionally, he led the team with 49 runs scored and knocked in 29 runs himself. With a .429 slugging percentage and a .432 on-base percentage, he authored an impressive .861 OPS. Demonstrating his speed on the basepaths, he stole 22 bases in 28 attempts. Furthermore, he exhibited patience at the plate, walking 33 times and being hit by a pitch six times. Noteworthy performances include going 4-for-5 with a pair of runs scored against Saint Anselm and scoring a season-best four runs against Salem. In the PSAC Championship Game against Seton Hill, he stole four bases.
OF - Joe Kaleck (GR., West Chester): Finished third on the team in hitting, boasting a .322 average (64-for-199). Among his achievements, he led the team with 15 doubles and 49 RBI. Additionally, he ranked second on the team with 45 runs scored. Notably, he stole a team-best 35 bases in 41 attempts, placing him third in a single season at WCU, just five steals away from the school's career record. Moreover, he ranked third in the PSAC in steals. Alongside his speed, he hit three home runs. With an .865 OPS, he posted a .442 slugging percentage and a .423 on-base percentage. Furthermore, he reached base safely in 41 consecutive games, falling just one game short of the school record.
OF - R.J. Huth (GR., Chestnut Hill): Posted a team-high .868 OPS while playing in 45 games. Also stole 22 bases while showcasing fantastic skills with the glove - collected two assists and didn't commit an error on 97 chances.
P - Julian Costa (SO., West Chester): Excelled for the Golden Rams, tallying a record of 6-2 along with five saves and an earned-run average of 3.27. Over 71 2/3 innings, he surrendered 65 hits, issued 24 walks, and struck out 75 batters. He showcased his durability with two complete games. Not only did he excel on the mound, but he also contributed at the plate, where he posted a .286 batting average with nine doubles, one triple, and two home runs, resulting in 15 RBIs.
P/INF - Gabe Silva (SO., Jefferson): Earned the title of top rookie performer in the CACC by boasting a .318 batting average across 46 games, accompanied by six doubles, three triples, and two home runs. With 36 RBI and 37 runs scored, he showcased his prowess on both offense and the basepaths, successfully stealing 20 bases out of 23 attempts, a performance that tied him for seventh in the CACC for stolen bases. Additionally, displayed his versatility by starting eight games as a pitcher, achieving a 3-2 record with a 4.29 ERA. Over 35.2 innings, he tallied 36 strikeouts.
