Top 10 Delaware baseball players in Class of 2022
DOVER, Del. (BVM) – Though Delaware is not considered a strong recruiting base for college baseball talent, plenty of players from the Diamond State have made their way to major college programs and beyond including MLB players Paul Goldschmidt and Delino DeShields and current prospects Colin Peluse and Zack Gelof. With that being said, Delaware has plenty of talented players in the Class of 2022 with commitments spanning all levels of collegiate baseball.
1. Evan Bouldin, RHP, Appoquinimink
Bouldin is the top prospect on what is arguably the best team in the state this year. After leading the Jaguars to the state championship game a year ago, Bouldin is back and dealing as the Jags rose to the top of the Delaware Live Sports Top 10 in the April 19 poll thanks to their 8-0 start to the year. With a win over No. 4-ranked Salesianum on April 21, the team has shown it can play against the state’s best thanks in part to Bouldin’s strong presence on the mound. An honorable mention all-state selection a year ago, Bouldin was named one of the top 36 players in Delaware for last season and ranked No. 4 in this year’s preseason ranking by Delaware Online. He will play collegiately at Division I Delaware State beginning next season.
Circling back with a look this fall at still uncommitted 2022 RHP/SS/OF Evan Bouldin (@appo_baseball). Absolutely cannot say enough about his pitchability and competitiveness. Sat 80-82 T83 and mixed a sharp 66-67 mph BB and 70 mph CH. @DcpShowcase | @PBRMaryland pic.twitter.com/YRHziB2Gtx
— Kyle Campbell (@kcbamaboy13) September 26, 2021
2. Brenden Anderson, 3B, Sussex Central
Another top player from a year ago, Anderson helped lead the Golden Knights to the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association state championship tournament’s second round thanks to his strong play in the hot corner. A second team all-state selection, Anderson finished as the No. 15 rated player following the season last year and rose all the way up to the No. 3 player in the preseason rankings. As one of the state’s top players, Anderson again has the Golden Knights rolling as they are 6-2 and sit at No. 3 in the Delaware Live Sports Top 10 April 19 poll. He will move on to the Division II level at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.
2nd home run of the season off to a hot start…@coach_willy9 @JNaill8 @Baseball302 @Central_Base @Xposure_Sports @CoachHels @coachjones27 @PBRMaryland pic.twitter.com/8H1aB0XEyz
— Brenden Anderson (@Brendenn302) April 1, 2022
3. Tyler Pirrung, 3B, Conrad
The third baseman who earned first team all-state honors ahead of Anderson, Pirrung has helped the Red Wolves off to a hot start for the 2022 season with an 8-1 record and their only loss coming to top ranked Appoqunimink. Last year, it was also Appoqunimink who also stopped Conrad from advancing in the postseason as they were bounced in the second round by the Jaguars. Pirrung is expected to help Conrad go even further this season as he was ranked the No. 10 player in the state last year and No. 5 in the preseason. Currently, the Red Wolves sit at No. 5 in the Delaware Live Sports Top 10. Pirrung is currently uncommitted for college but should be expected to land somewhere.
5 for 5 with a walk Today
98 exit velo
365 distance pic.twitter.com/2gCNxgDHv6— Tyler Pirrung (@tyler_pirrung) November 7, 2021
4. Mason Morris, C, Milford
Though he does not have as many in-state recognitions as some of the other players on this list, Morris arguably landed the best commitment of the bunch. The catcher is set to join Division I Coastal Carolina, a program that has won an NCAA title before, in July. Though he didn’t make the all-state team last year, Morris was ranked as the No. 21 player of the preseason. Morris will be charged with trying to get Milford beyond the DIAA state tournament’s first round, though the Buccaneers are off to a 3-5 start in the early part of the season.
#SeniorYear #MilfordBucs pic.twitter.com/ZLEEP71pgg
— morrisbaseball27 (@morrisbaseball1) March 30, 2022
5. Amari Gordon, RHP, Caravel
Another Division I prospect with less in-state honors, Gordon excels on the mound and helped the No. 17-seeded Buccaneers beat Morris and Milford in the DIAA first round last year before making it all the way to the state semifinals. Gordon’s ability on the mound gives Caravel a chance in any game, making them dangerous come postseason. Though the Buccaneers are off to a slow 2-5 start this year, expect Gordon to help right the ship as the season moves forward. The right-handed pitcher is set to play at Division I Delaware State where he will join Bouldin next year.
2022 Amari Gordon (Caravel Academy-DE)
Thin athletic frame. Loose 3/4 arm. Works with pace and uses both sides of the plate with the FB.
FB 81-84
CB 73-76@PBRMaryland @USElitebase #PBR17UNat pic.twitter.com/IPSQYkDWOQ— Jason Burton (@ksallday19) July 16, 2021
6. Conor Campbell, OF, Salesianum
A top player from one of the state’s top teams, Campbell has had multiple years of success for the Sallies. Last year, Campbell earned all-state honorable mention as well as finishing the year ranked as the No. 29 player in the state. This year, Campbell ranked as the state’s No. 8 player of the preseason and has been as advertised as Salesianum has started the year 7-2 and ranked as the No. 4 team in the state by Delaware Live Sports. Campbell is currently uncommitted to play at the next level.
Salesianum 6 Appo 5
7. Zak Sophy, DH, Middletown
A first team all-state selection as a DH a year ago, Sophy certainly has the bat that college scouts crave. Ranking as the No. 11 player of the preseason, Sophy has delivered during his senior season. With the Cavaliers sitting at 5-2 and ranking No. 8 in the Delaware Live Sports poll, it appears that Sophy will again have the team in the DIAA playoffs where they will look to advance beyond the tournament’s second round. Sophy will play at the next level at Florida SouthWestern College, a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Breaking up the 7-7 tie in the top of the 5th inning Zak Sophy @FSWBucs c/o ‘22 commit with the 3 run HR 💣 leading the Cavs to the 14-7 victory. Zak with 3 hits and 4RBI’s on the day. @SophyZakary 👑 pic.twitter.com/NWT7u0f01o
— Mtownbaseball (@Mtownbaseball1) April 16, 2022
8. AJ Cannon, 1B, Sussex Central
Another Golden Knight, AJ Cannon was an integral part of the Sussex Central team that made it to the second round of the tournament. Ranked in both the 2021 end of season and 2022 preseason rankings, at No. 8 and No. 12 respectively. The returning first team all-state selection has paired with infield teammate Anderson to help Sussex Central jump to the No. 3 spot in the Delaware Live Sports April 19 poll, making the Golden Knights squad one of the most intimidating in the state. Cannon is currently not committed to play collegiately.
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/l7t0RbWXxB
— Aj cannon (@AjCannon0) June 14, 2021
9. Ryan “Deuce” Rzucidlo, 3B, Salesianum
The last player to have a fellow teammate on this list, Rzucidlo has worked with Campbell to contribute to the Sallies strong start, with him working the infield and his teammate protecting the outfield. An all-state honorable mention selection last year, Rzucidlo knows what it takes to compete at the state’s highest level and that has been beneficial to Salesianum’s hot start. Though not selected among the top players in the state a year ago, Rzucidlo jumped all the way up to the No. 9 spot in the rankings for the preseason. With Salesianum sitting at No. 4 in the Delaware Live Sports poll, expect more big things from Rzucidlo and his teammates as the season continues. Rzucidlo, like his teammate Campbell, is also uncommitted.
Sals 10 St E 0
10. Connor Strauss, 2B, Smyrna
The state’s top second baseman a year ago, earning a first team all-state nod, Strauss is once again the top at the position for 2022. After helping the Eagles get all the way to the quarterfinals last year, Strauss finished ranked as the No. 17 player in the state in 2021 before coming into the preseason with the No. 15 ranking. With Smyrna currently 7-3, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see Strauss and the Eagles deep in the postseason once again. Strauss is committed to playing at Potomac State Junior College of West Virginia, another NJCAA member.
‘22 SS Connor Strauss (@SHSEaglesBaseb2 @DelmarvaAces)
Athletic, projectable frame w/ quick hands and fast bat speed. Hands stay inside the ball well here as he lines a 🚀 out to RCF for a 2 RBI 2B.@PBRMaryland @PBR_Uncommitted @PBRTournaments #MDSelect pic.twitter.com/27F5PFDAsU
— Jamie Naill Jr (@JNaill8) June 6, 2021
Photo: Appoquinimink pitcher Evan Bouldin headlines the top 10 senior baseball players from Delaware including some diamonds in the rough from the Diamond State. (Credit: Jerry Habraken)