2022 ACC College Baseball Recruiting Classes Breakdown

Boston College

Recruiting coordinator: Kevin Vance
Top recruit: Adonys Guzman, C (No. 165)
Ranking: NR

BC has a solid group of freshmen, headlined by Guzman, who was perhaps the best defensive catcher in the class. He has superb arm strength and can shut down opposing running games. He has soft hands and good instincts behind the plate, giving him all the tools to develop as a premium defender behind the plate. His bat is behind his glove, however, and questions about his offensive upside helped push him to college. He has righthanded power potential and if he’s able to build his offensive profile, his upside is massive.

Infielder Owen Deshazo has a big, projectable build at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds. He’s a good athlete who also was a standout basketball player in high school. He has big righthanded power potential and profiles as a corner infielder. Kyle Wolff has two-way ability as a first baseman and a lefthander and is coming off an all-star summer in the Futures League, where he played exclusively as a position player and hit .322/.401/.544 with six home runs. He has the rare profile of a righthanded hitter and lefthanded thrower and profiles as a first baseman. On the mound, he has a three-pitch mix and throws his fastball in the upper 80s. Outfielder Cohl Mercado is a plus runner and a standout athlete, who also starred as a wide receiver in high school. The lefthanded hitter can impact the game in multiple ways.

Lefthander AJ Colarusso stands out for his pitchability. He throws his fastball in the upper 80s, touching 91 mph, and mixes in a big curveball and a promising changeup. There’s some projection to his stuff, but he already has a good feel for getting outs. Righthander Bobby Chicoine has a big, powerful build at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. He’s a good athlete and can run his fastball into the low 90s. Righthander Gio Arzuaga offers upside thanks to an athletic build and a promising three-pitch mix.

Clemson

Recruiting coordinator: Nick Schnabel
Top recruit: Tristan Smith, LHP (No. 64)
Ranking: No. 12

The Tigers signed a top-10 class in the fall and new coach Erik Bakich and recruiting coordinator Nick Schnabel did a good job holding it together this summer. It’s headlined by Smith, the highest rated player in the draft not to sign, and the new coaching staff buttressed it with a few players who were previously committed to them at Michigan. Smith has a strong frame and an electric fastball-slider combination. His fastball gets into the mid 90s and his slider is a hard, biting offering. He gets swings and misses with both pitches and has performed at a high level, but his control is not as advanced as his stuff.

Duke

Recruiting coordinator: Ty Blankmeyer
Top recruit: Kassius Thomas, RHP (No. 108)
Ranking: No. 17

Duke last year landed the program’s first ever top-10 class when it shepherded its whole recruiting class through the draft. It wasn’t quite so lucky this year, as Cole Young was drafted 21st overall, but the Blue Devils again end up with a premium class. Thomas offers significant upside thanks to his three-pitch arsenal and a very fast arm. His fastball sits in the low 90s, touching 95 mph, and he mixes in a good changeup and curveball, and he fills up the zone with all three.

Florida State

Recruiting coordinator: Rich Wallace
Top recruit: Cameron Smith, SS (No. 81)
Ranking: No. 14

The former Florida State staff last fall signed a top-20 class and despite a coaching change that brought Link Jarrett and his staff to Tallahassee, the class remains largely intact. Smith and outfielder Jordan Taylor (98) give them a pair of top-100 draft prospects, which is only topped by Louisiana State. Smith impressed scouts with his size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and loud overall tools. He’s a good athlete with above-average speed and he has above-average power potential. Taylor is a premium athlete who is a prototypical toolsy outfielder. He has elite speed, a plus arm, covers ground well and has electric bat speed.

Georgia Tech

Recruiting coordinator: James Ramsey
Top recruit: Riley Stanford, RHP/OF (No. 182)
Ranking: No. 24

The Yellow Jackets brought in a strong, deep class that features some high-upside players. Georgia Tech saw nine players move on to pro ball from last year’s team, leaving plenty of room for the newcomers to make an impact. The class includes a pair of premium two-way players in Stanford and infielder/righthander Demitri Diamant. Stanford is big and physical at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds and has real power both on the mound and at the plate. Pro scouts liked him more as a pitcher, but his offensive ability is also significant.

Louisville

Recruiting coordinator: Eric Snider
Top recruit: Gavin Kilen, SS (No. 149)
Ranking: No. 3

Even after losing a few recruits in the draft, the Cardinals still pulled in a big, strong class that is the highest ranked in program history. Kilen is the latest prep star from Wisconsin, and he upheld his Louisville commitment despite being drafted in the 13th round by the Red Sox. He has an easy lefthanded swing, good bat-to-ball skills and above-average speed that plays well. He’s an excellent defender whose hands, range and arm all play at shortstop. Outfielder Korbyn Dickerson (188) was a 20th-round pick of the Twins, but the Louisville native chose to uphold his commitment to his hometown school.

Miami

Recruiting coordinator: Norberto Lopez
Top recruit: Blake Cyr, SS (No. 211)
Ranking: No. 20

Miami has been recruiting as well as any program in the ACC over the last few years, including landing the top-ranked 2020 class. The Hurricanes’ 2022 group is another talented one that’s especially strong in position players. Cyr does a lot of things well on the diamond and has a hard-nosed mentality. His speed, power and bat speed make for an exciting combination and he’s a solid defensive infielder. He has an aggressive approach at the plate, but his bat-to-ball skills mean he makes a lot of contact.

North Carolina

Recruiting coordinator: Bryant Gaines
Top recruit: Jake Knapp, RHP
Ranking: NR

UNC loaded up on pitching in this class and with the Tar Heels looking to replace a few important losses on the mound in the draft, the newcomers should be able to make a quick impact.

Knapp began his college career at UNC Wilmington before transferring to Walters State (Tenn.) JC, where he was the Senators ace. He has a big 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame and the right arm to match. His fastball works in the mid 90s and he pairs it with a sharp slider. He throws a lot of strikes and could step right into the Tar Heels’ rotation. Righthander Matthew Matthijs has a big build as well and good pitchability. His fastball works in the upper 80s, touching 91. He has good feel for spin and throws both a slider and curveball. Lefthander Kyle Percival has a projectable build and attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination. His fastball works in the upper 80s. Righthander Cameron Padgett has a good riding fastball and feel for spin. As he grows into his 6-foot-5, 185-pound frame, he could make a jump. Righthander Will Simmons has a promising fastball-slider combination, and the South Dakota prep star has room to grow.

Infielder Austin Hawke has a quick, easy righthanded swing. He consistently barrels up balls and has the athleticism to play up the middle on the infield. Outfielder Dallas Griess is an above-average runner who profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter and center fielder. The lefthanded hitter has quick hands at the plate. Jesse Jaconski has a powerful righthanded swing and right arm. He profiles at a corner, possibly best at third base.

North Carolina State

Recruiting coordinator: Chris Hart
Top recruit: Michael Gupton, OF (No. 238)
Ranking: Next 10

NC State this summer played heavily in the transfer portal, bringing in seven four-year transfers. That group buttresses a traditional recruiting class that’s especially strong among position players. Gupton was the fastest player in the draft class, and he was a standout in track and baseball in high school. His speed makes him a difference maker on the bases, and he covers a lot of ground in the outfield. The biggest question about his game is how consistently he’s able to get on base to use his speed. He has quick hands and a strong build, giving him a chance to become an impact hitter.

Notre Dame

Recruiting coordinator: Logan Robbins
Top recruit: Estevan Moreno, INF (No. 208)
Ranking: Next 10

Notre Dame last fall signed an impressive recruiting class and even after Link Jarrett and his staff left South Bend for Florida State following the season, the class largely stuck together. Now, with the Fighting Irish coming off a College World Series appearance, new coach Shawn Stiffler has a strong group of newcomers to work with. Moreno has solid overall tools and came on strong this spring as a high school senior. He has a big build, above-average power potential and good plate discipline. He profiles well at third base.

Pittsburgh

Recruiting coordinator: Ty Megahee
Top recruit:  Justin Acal, SS
Ranking: NR

The Panthers this summer played heavily in the transfer market, both for four-year players in the portal and junior college players. The result is an older, more experienced group of newcomers, who figure to make an early impact.

Acal has a long track record of success in college, both at junior college and in summer ball, where he this year was an all-star in the Valley League. He’ll play up the middle for Pitt and the righthanded hitter has good discipline at the plate. Righthander Jack Sokol began his college career at Auburn before transferring to junior college. He has a strong 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame and throws his fastball in the low 90s. Lefthander Ethan Firoved began his college career at Virginia Tech before transferring to junior college. He’s coming off an impressive spring and stands out for his pitchability. Lefthander Zack Oswald attacks hitters with a three-pitch mix. His fastball works in the upper 80s and he has a good changeup. Righthander Matt Fernandez began his college career at Florida International before transferring to junior college. He has a good fastball-cutter combination and throws his fastball in the low 90s.

Pitt’s freshman class is highlighted by lefthander Sam Falace, infielder Drew Ripepi, outfielder Caleb Sturtevant and shortstop/righthander Matt Travisano. Falace attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination and has a projectable 6-foot-2 build. Ripepi has a powerful righthanded swing and his tools profile at third base. Sturtevant is a plus runner with a quick righthanded swing. Travisano has two-way ability. He has a good fastball-slider combination on the mound and a simple righthanded swing at the plate.

Virginia

Recruiting coordinator: Kevin McMullan
Top recruit: Jack O’Connor, RHP (No. 231)
Ranking: No. 25

The Cavaliers continue to recruit at a high level and bring in a strong class. It’s especially deep on the mound, combining pitchers who can make an instant impact in Charlottesville with some upside. O’Connor has a big, strong build at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. His fastball gets up to 95 mph and he pairs it with a cutter. He pounds the strike zone and has a promising changeup. He has strong starter traits, though refining a true put-away pitch would help him take a step forward.

Virginia Tech

Recruiting coordinator: Kurt Elbin
Top recruit: Tommy Szczepanski, RHP (No. 256)
Ranking: Next 10

Virginia Tech had a breakthrough 2022, winning the ACC and advancing to super regionals. The Hokies now have a strong class arriving in Blacksburg, a group that should keep them rolling in 2023 and beyond. Szczepanski was committed to Michigan before the coaching change in Ann Arbor and he was drafted in the 19th round by the Royals. When he didn’t sign, he committed to Virginia Tech and adds a high-upside arm to the class. Listed at 6-foot-4, 206 pounds, he has a tall, projectable build and touched 96 mph this spring. He combines that fastball with two promising breaking balls.

Wake Forest

Recruiting coordinator: Bill Cilento
Top recruit: Marek Houston, SS (No. 284)
Ranking: NR

Wake Forest last year landed a top-25 recruiting class for the first time in program history, a class that produced a pair of Freshmen All-Americans. This year’s class isn’t as star-studded, but still brings in some exciting players.

Houston was the MVP last fall at Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., and he has a solid all-around skillset to go with his high-level track record. He makes a lot of contact at the plate and is a plus runner. He’s a steady defender with solid arm strength, giving him the tools to stick at shortstop. Third baseman Jack Winnay has good feel at the plate and a strong righthanded swing. He can hit for both average and power and fits a classic third base profile. Andrew Noland is a switch-hitter with projectable power and a big build at 6-foot-4. He has the defensive tools to develop behind the plate and also can play first base. Jackson Kraemer has two-way ability as an outfielder and righthander. He stands out most as a position player thanks to his powerful righthanded swing and athleticism. On the mound, his fastball gets up to 92 mph.

Lefthander Zach Johnston has a very projectable 6-foot-3, 160-pound build and offers plenty of upside. His fastball sits around 90 mph now with room for more as he physically matures, and he has good feel on the mound. Listed at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, righthander Ben Shenosky has a projectable build. His fastball works in the upper 80s, touching 92, and he works in a curveball and changeup. Lefthander Hudson Lee has a big build at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds and is a good athlete who also played defensive line in high school. His fastball gets up to 91 mph and he has a good breaking ball. Righthander Charlie Jones gives the class another projectable arm with a 6-foot-4 build and a fastball that touches 90 mph.