Top 10 New York baseball players in Class of 2022
LATHAM, NY. (BVM) — Most baseball enthusiasts don’t equate New York with great college or high school baseball teams and players, but in recent years the state has produced some legitimate prep prospects. This year’s class seems to be an affirmation of that trend.
These are the top 10 players in the Class of 2022.
10. Joe Karpierz, SS/2B, Shaker
The 6-foot middle infielder’s arm velocity currently stands at 82 mph, and the 185-pound righthander has clocked a 7.06 in the 60-yard dash. Batting-wise, his exit velocity averages 78.5 mph, and hit distribution is 75% fly balls and 25% line drives. Karpierz has committed to Xavier University (Ohio).
9. Owen Stewart, RHP/C/3B, Elmira-Notre Dame
The 6-foot-2 Stewart delivers a fastball at an average of 90.3 mph and a changeup at 80.7. A curveball and slider are also part of his arsenal. From the crouch, he has recorded a 1.91 pop time. Stewart captains the Notre Dame squad and tallied 163 strikeouts through last season. Ninety-four of them came in 2021 along with a 2.01 ERA. Stewart has played varsity ball since eighth grade and signed with George Mason University last fall.
8. Jared Cohen, IF, Byram Hills
The 6-foot Cohen weighs in at 185 pounds and will be attending West Point next year as a member of the Black Knights baseball team. The Army-bound infielder possesses an arm velocity of 90 mph and a batting exit velocity average of 85.1. He has run a respectable 6.95 in the 60-yard dash and scored well-above-average fielding and hitting grades.
7. Michael Huff II, C, Niagara Wheatfield
Behind the plate, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Huff has registered a pop time of 1.91 and exit velocity of 92 mph. At the plate, Huff boasts a 92 mph bat-exit velocity and half of his hits are line drives. The Western Michigan University commit was an All-Western New York honorable mention selection and made first-team Niagara Frontier League last season. In 2021, he hit .357 with two dingers, six doubles, 18 RBIs and an all-important OPS of .500.
6. Sam Falace, LHP/CF, Colonie
The 6-foot-1 Falace throws a fastball and curveball and is adding a changeup to the repertoire. The lefty’s fastball averages 87 mph with a maximum speed of 89.1. His 60-yard dash time is 6.80. Offensively, the University of Pittsburgh commit scored more than 20 runs and recorded a .300 batting average and .365 on-base percentage as the leadoff hitter for All-Stars Academy Elite.
5. Connor McCreery, RHP, St. Anthony’s/P27 Academy
The 6-foot-6 McCreery signed with the University of South Carolina and is spending his senior year at P27 Academy in the Palmetto State. The righthander is raw but has plenty of gas to throw a fastball in the mid-90 range, already clocking 92 mph. He also has a slider in the toolbox but might need to add another pitch while on the mound for the Gamecocks.
4. Adonys Guzman, C, Brunswick (Connecticut)
The Boston College commit plays in neighboring state Connecticut but is a resident of Valley Cottage, New York, and deemed an Empire State prospect. Guzman is considered the best defensive catcher in the 2022 class by Baseball Factory. His pop time is 1.76. (Basically, the time from the catcher’s mitt to the infielder’s glove.) But the 5-11, 190-pounder is strong at the plate too. He hit .560 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs in his junior year. Guzman was selected to play in the Perfect Game All-American Classic and chosen for USA Baseball’s 40-player 18U National Team trials last summer. He is the captain of this year’s Brunswick team.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬: @AdonysGuzman3
— Prep Baseball Report (@prepbaseball) November 30, 2021
C Guzman (Brunswick School, CT), a @BCBirdBall commit, jumped 33 spots in the '22 rankings. Guzman possesses elite skills behind the dish. 📈 @NathanRode @ShooterHunt https://t.co/UDAxyVLwS9 | @PBR_NewEngland pic.twitter.com/U26OQ5nNeF
3. Marcus Smith, 2B/SS/CF, All Hallows
Smith is an explosive athlete who showed out at the Baseball Factory Florida Showcase. The 5-foot-10 center fielder posted a 60-yard time of 6.63, and his quickness allows for exceptional lateral movements. Smith’s linear and lateral speed logically transfers to the plate, where he ably generates a line-drive exit velocity of 100 mph. He has committed to play for the University of Cincinnati next year.
2. Devan Kodali, OF, Poly Prep Country Day
The 6-foot-2 outfielder clocks a 75 mph exit velocity and registered a 6.71 time in the 60-yard dash. The 180-pounder displays impressive speed for his size, competing in indoor track for Poly Prep Country Day. He ran 6.80 in the 55 meters, placing second at the 2020 Ivy League NYSAAIS Championships. The Vanderbilt University commit is a top-400 potential MLB draft pick.
1. Michael Kennedy, LHP, Troy
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Kennedy led Troy to a 2021 Section II Class A championship and hopes to bring a state title to the school in 2022. The Louisiana State University commit boasted a 7-0 record from the hill last season, posting a 0.32 ERA and averaging two strikeouts per inning pitched. He also got it done at the plate, recording two home runs, 23 RBIs and a .547 batting average. The Suburban Council Player of the Year also made the final roster of USA Baseball’s 2021 18U National Team.
