Wareham Gatemen 2022 Cape Cod League Preview

Image credit: Outfielder Chase Davis (Photo courtesy of Arizona)

The only Cape Cod League team not physically located on the Cape, Wareham is a quick getaway for local Cape League fans looking to avoid bridge traffic. In recent seasons Wareham has boasted star-studded rosters including MLB players like Andrew Vaughn, Bryson Stott, Casey Mize, Gavin Sheets, and Bryce Elder. There was a big change at the manager spot as the Gateman scooped longtime Bourne field manager and Cape Cod League Hall Of Famer Harvey Shapiro for the 2022 season. Along with Shapiro, several familiar faces from last summer’s Bourne roster made the jump across the canal to Wareham.

The Gatemen boast one of the deepest rosters on the Cape entering the season with a whopping 61 players under permanent or temporary contracts. Even if Chase Dollander of Tennessee is unable to report, there’s still plenty of talent.

The positional group is led by Stanford’s Carter Graham, Arizona’s Chase Davis and a pair of 2021 Bourne standouts in Christian Knapczyk of Louisville and Max Anderson of Nebraska. Both Knapczyk and Anderson were productive players last summer for Shapiro. The contingent of UNC Greensboro’s Hogan Windish, Creighton’s Alan Roden, Missouri State’s Drake Baldwin, Missouri’s Torin Montgomery and Xavier’s Jack Housinger are all draft-eligible hitters coming off strong springs that could contribute early.

Wareham’s firepower among its staff might be unmatched, if only by the sheer volume of names. In fact the Gatemen may be the hardest-throwing team in the league with over a dozen pitchers on the roster that averaged 92 mph or above. Names like the Mississippi State duo of Cade Smith and Jackson Fristoe, Ole Miss’ Josh Mallitz, Vanderbilt’s Grayson Moore and LSU’s Ty Floyd give the Gatemen a bevy of horsepower at Shapiro’s disposal.

Field Manager: Harvey Shapiro

Home Park: Clem Spillane Field (Built: 1963): Often viewed as the black sheep of Cape Cod League parks, the Gatemen have one of the most accessible parks for spectators. There’s plenty of parking, seating and the ability to move around the park. Few parks offer the easy in and easy out access for Cape League fans.

Last Cape Cod League Championship: 2018

Hitters To Know

Carter Graham, 1B Stanford (2023 Eligible): Likely to join the Gatemen later this summer, Graham was a standout for Stanford this year who hit at the top of the Cardinals lineup. The sophomore first baseman hit .340/.403/.672 with 22 home runs this season. He provides Wareham and manager Harvey Shapiro with a middle-of-the-order bat that can drive in runs with consistency.

Chase Davis, OF Arizona (2023 Eligible): After an underwhelming freshman campaign with Arizona, Davis broke out in a big way in 2022. The sophomore center fielder hit .289/.414/.583 with 18 home runs while making 62 starts for the Wildcats in left field. He provides the Gatemen with a nice combination of on-base ability and power. There’s still some swing and miss, but Davis provides enough contact to do damage.

Christian Knapczyk, SS Louisville (2023 Eligible): The leader of the 2021 Bourne Braves core that followed Shapiro across the canal, Knapczyk is a top-of-the-scale athlete and plus-plus contact hitter. He lacks impact but does a lot of things well on the field. He’s a perfect table-setter for a Gatemen offense with no absence of power hitters behind him. He should split time between second base and shortstop.

Pitchers To Know

Ty Floyd, RHP LSU (2022 Eligible): Barely eligible for the 2022 draft, as his Aug. 28 birthday just skates the cutoff date, Floyd made 10 starts for the Tigers, compiling a 5-4 record with a 3.77 ERA and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He has a low-90s fastball with plus shape that gets heavy ride and run, with a flatter vertical approach angle. His primary secondary is a mid-70s two-plane curveball that gets drop and sweep.

Cole Kirschsieper, LHP (2022 Eligible): The lefthander from Illinois reported to Wareham late last summer after spending some time in Team USA’s camp. The lefty features a high-80s fastball with invisiball shape and he pairs it with a tighter slider at 79-81 mph and a changeup with parachuting break. Eligible for the draft this season, Kirschsieper could be a name that pitches his way up draft boards with another strong Cape Cod League performance.

Ian Lohse, LHP Missouri (2023 Eligible): No, Ian is not related to former MLB pitcher Kyle Lohse. Regardless of bloodlines Lohse is a potential standout for the Gatemen this summer. The lefthander mixes a low-VAA fastball at 89-91 mph with a low-80s slider and a changeup with heavy tumble and fade. Lohse has worked as a reliever for Missouri but has the pitch mix that should earn him an opportunity to start.

Sleeper: Ian Farrow, OF Florida Gulf Coast (2023 Eligible): One of Wareham’s collection of power hitters poised to make the Gateman’s lineup one of the most formidable on the Cape, Farrow put up eye-popping exit velocity numbers with the Eagles this season. Farrow hit 21 home runs in 2022 and hit .322/.410/.625. There are concerns regarding Farrow’s swing and miss as well, as he struck out in 24% of his at-bats this season, but slight tweaks to his approach could reap rewards.