Top 10 Pennsylvania baseball players in Class of 2022
HARRISBURG, Pa. (BVM) — Playing high school baseball in Pennsylvania should harden any player. While the season starts in March, rain and snow often force a large number of postponements and make the season scattershot. Despite this, there are a number of former PIAA players who have gone on to flourish at the professional level.
Here’s a look at a few of the top seniors to look out for this season.
10. Maddix Dalena, 1B, Mountoursville
Dalena, a UConn commit, bats left-handed and primarily plays at first base. His exit velocity off the bat has been measured at 99.3 miles per hour. He is a solid defensive player who has shown the ability to hit for power.
9. Andrew Healy, LHP, William Penn Charter
The 6-foot-6 Healy is a Duke commit who shined as a junior. The Quakers pitcher earned postseason honors for finishing last season with a 1.65 ERA in 42.1 innings of work. Healy struck out 57 batters and only issued seven walks.
Healy has a fastball that is in the low 90s. While he is still developing his full arsenal, Healy will draw a lot of looks from the professional ranks due to his size and being left-handed.
8. Drew Lafferty, RHP, South Park
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound righthander has committed to play at Kentucky. During his high school career, Lafferty started at Seton La-Salle, leading it to a WPIAL Class 2A crown as a freshman. However, after his freshman season, Lafferty would transfer to South Park.
Lafferty has a fastball in the low 90s and is able to locate several pitches in the strike zone.
7. Ty Federici, LHP, Lake-Lehman
Federici, a 6-1, 220-pound left-handed pitcher will be pitching at Louisiana State University next season. Federici can also play first base. When it comes to hitting, Federici can put a real charge into the ball. He has an exit velocity of over 100 miles per hour.
From a pitching standpoint, Federici has a fastball in the high 80s, and low 90s and can also throw a slider.
6. Paxton Kling, OF, Central Martinsburg
Another LSU commit, Kling has been living up to the hype as a senior, batting .737 with 11 RBIs and a home run in his first eight games of the season. Kling has good speed, having run the 60-yard dash in 6.45 seconds.
He is able to play several different positions and has an excellent arm in the infield.
5. Aidan Weaver, RHP, Central Bucks West
Weaver is a 6-foot-4 Duke commit who has been outstanding for Central Bucks West throughout his career. Weaver had a 1.55 ERA and struck out 54 batters in 31.2 innings of work last season.
Weaver can throw a slider and has a fastball that has topped out at 95 mph.
4. Chase Kriebel, LHP, Clarion
The 6-foot 1 Kriebel will be playing at Florida Gulf Coast University next season. While his velocity isn’t the fastest, his fastball sits between 86 and 88 miles per hour, Kriebel makes up for it with the arsenal he employs. Kriebel throws four different pitches and is able to have command.
3. Dallas Griess, OF, Williamsport
Griess, a University of North Carolina recruit, made a commitment to the Tar Heels during his freshman season. He’s spent the next three years proving to UNC he deserved the early respect. During his senior season so far, Griess is hitting .333 in nine games with 10 RBIs and 13 runs scored
2. Gavin Miller, SS, West Allegheny
Miller, an Auburn recruit, suffered an injury in early March and has missed time during the Indians’ start to the season. However, Miller will play a role later. In 2021, he was a big part of West Allegheny’s rotation.
Miller has been playing well since his freshman season at West Allegheny when he hit .341 playing as a shortstop, while compiling a 7-1 record with a 1.55 ERA when asked to pitch.
1. Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny
Young has committed to play at Duke but likely won’t go to college. Major League Baseball is likely to come calling this summer. An MLB.com mock draft has Young projected as a top-15 pick.
Young, who is 6-foot tall and 185 pounds, would be the sixth player from the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League to be drafted in the first round.
Young is hitting .444 during the early part of the 2022 season and has nine hits that have gone for extra bases.
