PHILADELPHIA - There is a certain responsibility that comes with recognizing the best players in college baseball across Philadelphia.
The numbers matter. The awards matter. The wins matter.
But the larger story matters, too.
The Philadelphia Baseball Review’s 2026 Division I All-Philadelphia Team, presented by Wheelhouse Cards — the official baseball card partner of the Philadelphia Baseball Review — is ultimately about documenting a moment in time for baseball in this city and region.
And this spring, the level of play across Philadelphia’s Division I programs demanded attention.
Saint Joseph’s produced one of the nation’s most dangerous hitters and one of the Atlantic 10’s deepest pitching staffs. La Salle unleashed a historic offense that rewrote portions of the school’s record book. Penn once again developed complete, winning baseball players throughout its roster. Villanova continued building a young core capable of competing in the BIG EAST.
Together, they formed one of the strongest collective seasons Philadelphia college baseball has seen in years.
Wheelhouse Cards has become part of preserving and celebrating that baseball culture throughout the region — not only through collecting and history, but through supporting the stories and players shaping the current era of the game.
These selections recognize more than statistics.
They recognize impact players.
The hitters opposing coaches feared. The pitchers who controlled weekends. The veterans who stabilized programs and the young players who announced themselves as the next wave of baseball in Philadelphia.
This is the Philadelphia Baseball Review’s 2026 Division I All-Philadelphia Team.
Blake Primrose, C, Saint Joseph’s
The season Blake Primrose authored for Saint Joseph’s was not simply elite by Atlantic 10 standards.
It was elite by national standards.
The sophomore catcher became the centerpiece of one of the conference’s best teams while capturing Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors and emerging as a semifinalist for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award.
Primrose led the Atlantic 10 in batting average, runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and OPS. He also ranked second in RBIs and finished among the national leaders in nearly every major offensive category while rewriting Saint Joseph’s single-season record book for home runs, runs scored and RBIs.
That alone would have been enough.
But Primrose also remained a force defensively, throwing out 17 runners attempting to steal while handling one of the conference’s premier pitching staffs.
There are seasons where a hitter dominates games.
Then there are seasons where opposing teams alter entire scouting reports around one player.
Primrose became that player in the Atlantic 10.
The season Blake Primrose authored for Saint Joseph’s was not simply elite by Atlantic 10 standards.
It was elite by national standards.
The sophomore catcher became the centerpiece of one of the conference’s best teams while capturing Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors and emerging as a semifinalist for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award.
Primrose led the Atlantic 10 in batting average, runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and OPS. He also ranked second in RBIs and finished among the national leaders in nearly every major offensive category while rewriting Saint Joseph’s single-season record book for home runs, runs scored and RBIs.
That alone would have been enough.
But Primrose also remained a force defensively, throwing out 17 runners attempting to steal while handling one of the conference’s premier pitching staffs.
There are seasons where a hitter dominates games.
Then there are seasons where opposing teams alter entire scouting reports around one player.
Primrose became that player in the Atlantic 10.
Cole Fehrman, RHP, Saint Joseph’s
Every great lineup eventually runs into a Friday-night arm capable of shutting the lights off.
Cole Fehrman became that arm for Saint Joseph’s.
The Doylestown native established himself as one of the premier strikeout pitchers in the Atlantic 10, overpowering hitters with swing-and-miss stuff that translated throughout conference play. His strikeout rates — 11.9 per nine innings overall and 12.5 in league play — reflected more than velocity.
They reflected command.
Fehrman’s season included double-digit strikeout performances, a no-hit bid into the ninth inning against Fordham and eight shutout innings against St. Bonaventure. By season’s end, he had become the anchor of a Saint Joseph’s staff that consistently gave the Hawks a chance to win series.
Every great lineup eventually runs into a Friday-night arm capable of shutting the lights off.
Cole Fehrman became that arm for Saint Joseph’s.
The Doylestown native established himself as one of the premier strikeout pitchers in the Atlantic 10, overpowering hitters with swing-and-miss stuff that translated throughout conference play. His strikeout rates — 11.9 per nine innings overall and 12.5 in league play — reflected more than velocity.
They reflected command.
Fehrman’s season included double-digit strikeout performances, a no-hit bid into the ninth inning against Fordham and eight shutout innings against St. Bonaventure. By season’s end, he had become the anchor of a Saint Joseph’s staff that consistently gave the Hawks a chance to win series.
Alex Kelsey, OF, Saint Joseph’s
There are players who produce.
And there are players who keep innings alive, pressure defenses and force mistakes over the course of nine innings.
Alex Kelsey became that type of player for the Hawks.
The sophomore center fielder reached base relentlessly throughout the season, appearing in every game while ranking among the Atlantic 10 leaders in batting average, on-base percentage, runs scored and stolen bases.
At one point, Kelsey reached base in 27 consecutive games.
That kind of consistency changes lineups.
He also delivered one of the region’s most complete offensive profiles — contact ability, speed, patience and situational awareness — while helping transform Saint Joseph’s offense into one of the conference’s most dangerous groups.
There are players who produce.
And there are players who keep innings alive, pressure defenses and force mistakes over the course of nine innings.
Alex Kelsey became that type of player for the Hawks.
The sophomore center fielder reached base relentlessly throughout the season, appearing in every game while ranking among the Atlantic 10 leaders in batting average, on-base percentage, runs scored and stolen bases.
At one point, Kelsey reached base in 27 consecutive games.
That kind of consistency changes lineups.
He also delivered one of the region’s most complete offensive profiles — contact ability, speed, patience and situational awareness — while helping transform Saint Joseph’s offense into one of the conference’s most dangerous groups.
Andrew Gaines, RHP, Saint Joseph’s
Games have a way of feeling shorter when Andrew Gaines walks out of the bullpen.
The senior right-hander led the Atlantic 10 with 10 saves while tying Saint Joseph’s single-season record. Opposing hitters managed just a .187 batting average against him, and his strikeout numbers bordered on dominant for a late-inning reliever.
But Gaines’ value extended beyond statistics.
He stabilized the final innings.
For a Saint Joseph’s club with postseason aspirations, Gaines became the piece that allowed the Hawks to shorten games and protect leads with confidence.
Games have a way of feeling shorter when Andrew Gaines walks out of the bullpen.
The senior right-hander led the Atlantic 10 with 10 saves while tying Saint Joseph’s single-season record. Opposing hitters managed just a .187 batting average against him, and his strikeout numbers bordered on dominant for a late-inning reliever.
But Gaines’ value extended beyond statistics.
He stabilized the final innings.
For a Saint Joseph’s club with postseason aspirations, Gaines became the piece that allowed the Hawks to shorten games and protect leads with confidence.
Matt Fitzgibbon, RHP, Saint Joseph’s
Every strong pitching staff needs someone capable of extinguishing rallies before they become disasters.
Matt Fitzgibbon filled that role for Saint Joseph’s all season.
The Yonkers native posted a team-best 1.69 ERA while emerging as one of the Hawks’ most trusted relief options. He consistently attacked hitters in high-leverage situations and delivered swing-and-miss stuff when Saint Joseph’s needed outs most.
His seven-strikeout relief appearance against High Point and dominant outing at La Salle reflected the type of reliability every postseason-caliber club depends upon.
Fitzgibbon may not have carried the headlines nationally, but inside Saint Joseph’s season, his value was unmistakable.
Every strong pitching staff needs someone capable of extinguishing rallies before they become disasters.
Matt Fitzgibbon filled that role for Saint Joseph’s all season.
The Yonkers native posted a team-best 1.69 ERA while emerging as one of the Hawks’ most trusted relief options. He consistently attacked hitters in high-leverage situations and delivered swing-and-miss stuff when Saint Joseph’s needed outs most.
His seven-strikeout relief appearance against High Point and dominant outing at La Salle reflected the type of reliability every postseason-caliber club depends upon.
Fitzgibbon may not have carried the headlines nationally, but inside Saint Joseph’s season, his value was unmistakable.
Chase Swain, OF, La Salle
There are comeback stories.
And then there is Chase Swain.
Five years ago, Swain originally committed to La Salle before the program was eliminated. What followed became a winding baseball journey through Penn State-Abington, Manhattan and West Virginia before finally returning to Philadelphia.
And when he finally put on a La Salle uniform, he delivered one of the greatest offensive seasons in school history.
Swain finished among the Atlantic 10 leaders in virtually every major offensive category while matching the second-most hits and runs scored ever recorded in a single season at La Salle. He hit .378, stole 23 bases, led the conference in triples and finished the season on a 13-game hitting streak.
More than anything, Swain became the catalyst for an offense that overwhelmed opposing pitching staffs all spring.
He changed games before pitchers could settle in.
There are comeback stories.
And then there is Chase Swain.
Five years ago, Swain originally committed to La Salle before the program was eliminated. What followed became a winding baseball journey through Penn State-Abington, Manhattan and West Virginia before finally returning to Philadelphia.
And when he finally put on a La Salle uniform, he delivered one of the greatest offensive seasons in school history.
Swain finished among the Atlantic 10 leaders in virtually every major offensive category while matching the second-most hits and runs scored ever recorded in a single season at La Salle. He hit .378, stole 23 bases, led the conference in triples and finished the season on a 13-game hitting streak.
More than anything, Swain became the catalyst for an offense that overwhelmed opposing pitching staffs all spring.
He changed games before pitchers could settle in.
Rueben Livingston, INF, La Salle
Few hitters in the region closed the season hotter than Rueben Livingston.
The redshirt junior became one of the middle-of-the-order forces behind La Salle’s historic offensive surge, hitting .305 with 10 home runs and a .958 OPS while anchoring third base defensively.
Over his final 12 games, Livingston hit .442 with four home runs.
The production reflected the larger identity of La Salle’s offense — aggressive, relentless and capable of exploding at any moment.
The Explorers shattered program records for home runs and walks while producing one of the highest-scoring offenses in school history. Livingston sat directly in the middle of it all.
Few hitters in the region closed the season hotter than Rueben Livingston.
The redshirt junior became one of the middle-of-the-order forces behind La Salle’s historic offensive surge, hitting .305 with 10 home runs and a .958 OPS while anchoring third base defensively.
Over his final 12 games, Livingston hit .442 with four home runs.
The production reflected the larger identity of La Salle’s offense — aggressive, relentless and capable of exploding at any moment.
The Explorers shattered program records for home runs and walks while producing one of the highest-scoring offenses in school history. Livingston sat directly in the middle of it all.
If Chase Swain ignited innings for La Salle, Carter Groen finished them.
The sophomore slugger became one of the Atlantic 10’s premier run producers while anchoring the middle of a historic Explorers lineup that rewrote large portions of the school’s offensive record book.
Groen drove in 72 runs this season, matching Saint Joseph’s Blake Primrose for the most in the Atlantic 10 and setting a new La Salle single-season RBI record in the process. Every time the Explorers threatened offensively, Groen seemed to be standing in the middle of it.
And La Salle threatened constantly.
The Explorers shattered program records for home runs and walks while producing one of the most explosive offenses the school has ever seen. Groen’s production became central to that identity because he consistently delivered the hit that expanded innings from dangerous to devastating.
Collin Quintano, INF, Villanova
Villanova’s offense consistently leaned on Collin Quintano to deliver big swings in big moments.
And the senior routinely answered.
Quintano finished the season batting .311 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs while becoming one of the BIG EAST’s most productive run producers. His ability to drive baseballs into gaps and impact games with power became central to Villanova’s offensive identity.
He closed his career with one of his strongest weekends of the season against Connecticut, homering twice while driving in six runs.
For a Villanova lineup that battled throughout the conference schedule, Quintano provided the veteran consistency every club searches for.
Villanova’s offense consistently leaned on Collin Quintano to deliver big swings in big moments.
And the senior routinely answered.
Quintano finished the season batting .311 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs while becoming one of the BIG EAST’s most productive run producers. His ability to drive baseballs into gaps and impact games with power became central to Villanova’s offensive identity.
He closed his career with one of his strongest weekends of the season against Connecticut, homering twice while driving in six runs.
For a Villanova lineup that battled throughout the conference schedule, Quintano provided the veteran consistency every club searches for.
JoJo Montgomery, INF, Villanova
JoJo Montgomery’s sophomore season felt like the beginning of something larger.
The Georgia native quietly developed into one of the BIG EAST’s most efficient hitters during conference play, batting .356 against league pitching while finishing the year on a five-game hitting streak.
Montgomery’s value extended beyond traditional power numbers.
He consistently created quality at-bats, moved innings forward and became one of Villanova’s most dependable offensive pieces.
JoJo Montgomery’s sophomore season felt like the beginning of something larger.
The Georgia native quietly developed into one of the BIG EAST’s most efficient hitters during conference play, batting .356 against league pitching while finishing the year on a five-game hitting streak.
Montgomery’s value extended beyond traditional power numbers.
He consistently created quality at-bats, moved innings forward and became one of Villanova’s most dependable offensive pieces.
Brayden Leonard, OF, Villanova
Consistency often becomes one of the hardest things to develop at the Division I level.
Brayden Leonard already appears to have found it.
The sophomore outfielder led Villanova with 57 hits and 14 doubles while producing 14 multi-hit games and a 10-game hitting streak during another strong season at the plate.
Leonard’s ability to consistently square baseballs up gave Villanova one of the conference’s steadier offensive presences, and his continued development suggests even more may still be coming.
Consistency often becomes one of the hardest things to develop at the Division I level.
Brayden Leonard already appears to have found it.
The sophomore outfielder led Villanova with 57 hits and 14 doubles while producing 14 multi-hit games and a 10-game hitting streak during another strong season at the plate.
Leonard’s ability to consistently square baseballs up gave Villanova one of the conference’s steadier offensive presences, and his continued development suggests even more may still be coming.
Gavin Degnan, OF, Penn
Penn’s lineup consistently flowed through Gavin Degnan.
The junior outfielder became one of the Ivy League’s most complete offensive players while leading the Quakers in hits, RBIs, doubles, slugging percentage and total bases. He also added value defensively, posting a perfect fielding percentage in center field.
Degnan’s season reflected the balance Penn consistently values within its program — offensive production paired with dependable defense and baserunning.
By season’s end, he had established himself among the Ivy League’s premier outfielders.
Penn’s lineup consistently flowed through Gavin Degnan.
The junior outfielder became one of the Ivy League’s most complete offensive players while leading the Quakers in hits, RBIs, doubles, slugging percentage and total bases. He also added value defensively, posting a perfect fielding percentage in center field.
Degnan’s season reflected the balance Penn consistently values within its program — offensive production paired with dependable defense and baserunning.
By season’s end, he had established himself among the Ivy League’s premier outfielders.
Thomas Shurtleff, RHP, Penn
Winning baseball games in the Ivy League requires strike-throwers capable of surviving deep into conference weekends.
Thomas Shurtleff became far more than that for Penn.
The senior right-hander posted a dominant 2.20 ERA during Ivy League play while consistently neutralizing opposing lineups with command and efficiency. His 10-strikeout performances against Princeton and Harvard highlighted a season in which he emerged as one of the conference’s most reliable arms.
More impressively, Shurtleff accomplished it while never taking a loss in conference play.
Winning baseball games in the Ivy League requires strike-throwers capable of surviving deep into conference weekends.
Thomas Shurtleff became far more than that for Penn.
The senior right-hander posted a dominant 2.20 ERA during Ivy League play while consistently neutralizing opposing lineups with command and efficiency. His 10-strikeout performances against Princeton and Harvard highlighted a season in which he emerged as one of the conference’s most reliable arms.
More impressively, Shurtleff accomplished it while never taking a loss in conference play.
Ernie Echevarria, C, Penn
Penn’s future behind the plate appears secure with Ernie Echevarria.
The sophomore catcher delivered a breakout season offensively while also becoming one of the Ivy League’s premier defensive catchers. He controlled the running game, blocked baseballs consistently and provided middle-of-the-order production during conference play.
His emergence gave Penn stability at one of the game’s most difficult positions.
Penn’s future behind the plate appears secure with Ernie Echevarria.
The sophomore catcher delivered a breakout season offensively while also becoming one of the Ivy League’s premier defensive catchers. He controlled the running game, blocked baseballs consistently and provided middle-of-the-order production during conference play.
His emergence gave Penn stability at one of the game’s most difficult positions.
Jarrett Pokrovsky, OF, Penn
Few hitters in the Ivy League consistently impacted baseballs the way Jarrett Pokrovsky did.
After setting the program’s single-season doubles record a year ago, Pokrovsky returned to become one of Penn’s most dangerous offensive threats yet again, hitting .395 during Ivy League play while continuing to climb the school’s record book.
By season’s end, he had already established himself among the most productive hitters in recent Penn baseball history.
Few hitters in the Ivy League consistently impacted baseballs the way Jarrett Pokrovsky did.
After setting the program’s single-season doubles record a year ago, Pokrovsky returned to become one of Penn’s most dangerous offensive threats yet again, hitting .395 during Ivy League play while continuing to climb the school’s record book.
By season’s end, he had already established himself among the most productive hitters in recent Penn baseball history.
Nick Spaventa, INF, Penn
Few players in the region combined durability and power the way Nick Spaventa did this season.
The Pitman, New Jersey, native started all 40 games for the Quakers and emerged as one of the Ivy League’s most dependable middle-of-the-order bats, finishing near the conference lead in home runs while also ranking among the league leaders in slugging percentage.
But Spaventa’s impact stretched well beyond offense.
At first base, he became one of the Ivy League’s premier defensive anchors, leading the conference in putouts while committing only three errors all season. That consistency gave Penn stability every single day, both offensively and defensively.
In a lineup filled with veteran production, Spaventa became one of the program’s most complete players.
Few players in the region combined durability and power the way Nick Spaventa did this season.
The Pitman, New Jersey, native started all 40 games for the Quakers and emerged as one of the Ivy League’s most dependable middle-of-the-order bats, finishing near the conference lead in home runs while also ranking among the league leaders in slugging percentage.
But Spaventa’s impact stretched well beyond offense.
At first base, he became one of the Ivy League’s premier defensive anchors, leading the conference in putouts while committing only three errors all season. That consistency gave Penn stability every single day, both offensively and defensively.
In a lineup filled with veteran production, Spaventa became one of the program’s most complete players.
Jay Secretarski, INF, Penn
Every winning college lineup needs players capable of manufacturing offense in multiple ways.
Jay Secretarski became exactly that player for Penn.
The freshman infielder started all 40 games and immediately established himself as one of the Ivy League’s most dynamic young players, reaching base at a .413 clip while also becoming one of the conference’s top stolen-base threats.
Secretarski impacted games with speed, patience and versatility. He drew walks, pressured defenses and consistently created scoring opportunities at the top of the lineup.
For a freshman to arrive and immediately become a foundational everyday player in the Ivy League says something significant about both talent and baseball instincts.
Secretarski displayed both throughout the spring.
Every winning college lineup needs players capable of manufacturing offense in multiple ways.
Jay Secretarski became exactly that player for Penn.
The freshman infielder started all 40 games and immediately established himself as one of the Ivy League’s most dynamic young players, reaching base at a .413 clip while also becoming one of the conference’s top stolen-base threats.
Secretarski impacted games with speed, patience and versatility. He drew walks, pressured defenses and consistently created scoring opportunities at the top of the lineup.
For a freshman to arrive and immediately become a foundational everyday player in the Ivy League says something significant about both talent and baseball instincts.
Secretarski displayed both throughout the spring.
Marty Coyne, LHP, Penn
Penn’s pitching staff leaned heavily on Marty Coyne in big moments throughout the season.
The left-hander responded with another strong campaign, building off his standout sophomore year to once again establish himself among the Ivy League’s most effective starters.
Coyne finished among the conference leaders in strikeouts, innings pitched and ERA while consistently attacking hitters with command and poise. Earlier in the season, he turned heads nationally with a dominant outing against nationally-ranked Texas A&M, striking out a career-high nine hitters.
That performance became part of a larger trend.
Coyne gave Penn a legitimate frontline arm capable of competing with anyone in the conference.
Penn’s pitching staff leaned heavily on Marty Coyne in big moments throughout the season.
The left-hander responded with another strong campaign, building off his standout sophomore year to once again establish himself among the Ivy League’s most effective starters.
Coyne finished among the conference leaders in strikeouts, innings pitched and ERA while consistently attacking hitters with command and poise. Earlier in the season, he turned heads nationally with a dominant outing against nationally-ranked Texas A&M, striking out a career-high nine hitters.
That performance became part of a larger trend.
Coyne gave Penn a legitimate frontline arm capable of competing with anyone in the conference.
Ryan Taylor, INF, Penn
Sometimes the value of a player reveals itself in the rhythm of a lineup.
Ryan Taylor became that kind of presence for the Quakers.
The second baseman earned honorable mention All-Ivy honors after quietly delivering consistent production throughout the season while helping stabilize Penn’s infield defensively.
Taylor’s contributions reflected the larger identity Penn carried throughout the year — experienced, fundamentally sound and capable of winning baseball in multiple ways.
Not every all-conference season arrives with massive home run totals or national attention.
Some arrive through consistency, reliability and daily execution.
Taylor provided exactly that.
Sometimes the value of a player reveals itself in the rhythm of a lineup.
Ryan Taylor became that kind of presence for the Quakers.
The second baseman earned honorable mention All-Ivy honors after quietly delivering consistent production throughout the season while helping stabilize Penn’s infield defensively.
Taylor’s contributions reflected the larger identity Penn carried throughout the year — experienced, fundamentally sound and capable of winning baseball in multiple ways.
Not every all-conference season arrives with massive home run totals or national attention.
Some arrive through consistency, reliability and daily execution.
Taylor provided exactly that.
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