All-Delco Baseball: Picone’s nearly perfect season one for the Jaguars’ showcase

In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Alden Mathes of Marple Newtown, the rest of the All-Delco team includes:

Dom Picone, Garnet Valley: The senior pitcher is a first-time All-Delco selection. The right-hander was arguably the best pitcher in the county in 2019. Picone’s calling card was his pinpoint command and exquisite control of the strike zone. He dominated all season long and carried the Jags to a share of the Central League title. He went a perfect 10-0 (8-0 Central League) with a miniscule 0.29 ERA, 100 strikeouts and seven complete game shutouts. In the District 1 Class 6A playoffs, Picone fired a two-hit gem with six strikeouts in the Jags’ 5-0 win over Ridley. The All-Central League honoree will continue his education and baseball career at the University of Rhode Island.

Andrew Cantwell, Marple Newtown: The junior pitcher is an All-Delco for the first time. Cantwell took a big leap forward as the Tigers’ co-ace alongside Mathes, and he was one of the best two-way players in the county. A speedy outfielder and top-of-the-order threat, Cantwell helped lead the Tigers to a second straight Central League title and a return trip the PIAA Class 5A tournament. The hard-throwing lefty finished 7-0 with a 1.90 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. At the plate Cantwell hit .312 with a .444 on-base percentage. The All-Central League selection had four doubles, 13 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

Nate Furman, Bonner & Prendergast: The junior shortstop is an All-Delco for the second year in a row. A threat at the top of the Friars’ lineup, Furman slashed .333/.468/.429 with a team-high 19 runs scored and nine RBIs. He worked 14 walks and struck out five times in 80 plate appearances. Furman committed only two errors and 29 games. He earned All-Catholic League honors for a second straight season and has a verbal commitment with Seton Hall.

READ: The full list of the All-Delco teams

Joe Kelly, Cardinal O’Hara: The senior first baseman/designated hitter is an All-Delco for the first time. Kelly was instrumental to O’Hara’s success in 2019. Batting in the heart of O’Hara’s deep lineup, Kelly hit .408 with a county-leading 13 doubles. He ranked second in the county with 28 RBIs and had an OPS of 1.204. O’Hara coach Rob Benedict described Kelly as “an RBI machine.” Kelly, who is an outstanding offensive lineman on the O’Hara football team, also earned All-Cathoic League honors.

Jim White, Cardinal O’Hara: The senior shortstop makes the All-Delco team for the second time in three years. After struggling in 2018, White bounced back with a strong 2019 campaign which resulted in Catholic League Player of the Year honors. He had at least one hit in every game for the Lions, who advanced to the Catholic League final and appeared in the PIAA Class 4A playoffs. Batting leadoff all season, White slashed a ridiculous .548/.656/.781 with nine doubles, two home runs, 17 RBIs and 29 runs scored. White led all Delco players in batting average (minimum 40 plate appearances).

Joe Bonini, Haverford School: The senior shortstop makes his first appearance on the All-Delco team after helping the Fords to a 20-win campaign. Bonini hit .358, including .406 against Inter-Ac League rivals. He was the team leader in hits (38), runs (26), doubles (eight) and extra-base hits (13). Bonini also had four home runs and was named team MVP. Said coach Bob Castell: “Joe was the catalyst of our lineup that generated almost seven runs a game.”

Kevin Merrone, Marple Newtown: The senior shortstop is a first team All-Delco after making the second team last season. One of the best two-way infielders in the county, Merrone had a tremendous season for the Central League champion Tigers. Merrone ranked second on the team in batting average (.417), first in on-base percentage (.484) and first in slugging percentage (.532). His 1.123 OPS was third on the Tigers. He led the Tigers with 27 RBIs and was tied for first with two home runs. He added four doubles and three triples. A member of the All-Central League team, Merrone struck out only six times in 92 plate appearances and stole 14 bases.

Dan Hopkins, Cardinal O’Hara: The senior catcher is an All-Delco selection for a second consecutive year. As the best-hitting backstop in the county for two years running, Hopkins slashed .479/.584/.789 with eight doubles, four triples, four homers, 28 RBIs and 27 runs scored. Hopkins went yard in O’Hara’s 9-8 loss to North Schuylkill in the first round of the PIAA Class 4A tournament. He also earned All-Catholic League honors for a second year in a row.

Tyler Kehoe, Archbishop Carroll: The senior center fielder/pitcher is an All-Delco for the second straight season. One of the best talents in area, Kehoe capped a remarkable career at Carroll with his finest season to date. The All-Catholic League selection destroyed opposing pitching all year long. He batted .409 and led the county with six triples. Kehoe also collected five doubles, three homers, 15 RBIs and 18 runs scored. A left-handed hitter and pitcher, Kehoe registered a 1.77 ERA in limited innings. He will continue his baseball career at North Carolina.

Brady Mutz, Strath Haven: The senior catcher is a first-time All-Delco catcher. The best defensive catcher in the county was a rock behind the plate, guiding a young pitching staff and nearly impossible to run against. Mutz threw out 10 base stealers on the year. While his hitting is secondary to his superb defense, Mutz still hit .265 with four doubles and two triples.Veteran coach Steve Smith (Penncrest) called Mutz the best high school catcher he’s seen since Mike Scioscia. Mutz will continue his playing career at Monmouth University.

John DeMucci, Bonner & Prendergast: The senior slugger is a first-time All-Delco selection. He slashed .359/.413/.578, leading the team in home runs (three) and RBIs (22). DeMucci added five doubles and 16 runs scored while pacing the Friars in OPS (.991). His spectacular season resulted in All-Catholic League honors. DeMucci will continue his education and baseball career at La Salle.