Harvey heads into the 2025 season with plenty of optimism now that its young roster gained valuable experience last spring.
The Red Raiders return five starters and seven letter winners from last year’s squad that finished 6-18 overall.
“As a coaching staff, we feel very encouraged coming into the 2025 season,” said third-year Harvey coach Ryan Delaney. “Our young varsity players are now experienced and ready to lead our squad, and we have some new players that I am excited about. We have been working really hard and we now have total buy-in.”
Delaney spent the previous two seasons developing a young roster, and now, with the bulk of the roster returning, he’s hoping to see the Red Raiders show continued improvement this season.
“One of our team strengths is experience,” he said. “We have a lot of guys back that know what it means to be a varsity baseball player. Now that my staff has been here for three years, the skills and approach to the game that we installed early on are now just part of the culture.”
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The Red Raiders will lean on their pitching staff to set the tone for the season.
“While we won’t overwhelm teams with power arms, we have eleven guys I feel comfortable putting on the mound,” Delaney said. “Eleven guys that can throw strikes and give our defense an opportunity to really play.”
Junior Ryan Delaney is expected to anchor the pitching staff when he’s not catching.
“Ryan has been our ace for the last two seasons on the mound, starting as a freshman,” Coach Delaney said. “He took over catching duties last year and earned second-team (All-Chagrin Valley Conference) honors. Defensively, I will put him against anyone, and his work this offseason will show in his offensive game. I expect him to hit near the top of the lineup and make a huge jump offensively.”
Junior Jake Boehm is expected to chew up a lot of innings for the Red Raiders on the hill and at first base.
“Jake is coming off his first varsity experience last year,” Delaney said. “He will help anchor the pitching staff with Ryan. He will eat up a lot of innings for us and will have a lot of success. I also expect more consistency at the plate this year from him.”
Seniors Joey DiAlfredi and Valentin Palomino and junior Jurein Morales also will see time on the mound. Palomino also will split time at shortstop with senior Erik Perez and Morales will play third when he’s not pitching.
Perez and Palomino are new to the Red Raider program.
“Erik has never played baseball in his years at Harvey, but he has always been a ball player. Excited to have him anchor the middle infield after junior, Aidan Englehart, went down with an injury. Erik is a solid player, and he never gets cheated at the plate,” Delaney said. “Valentin has also never played baseball in years at Harvey but is a life-long ball player. He will have a major impact on our team this year.”
Senior Rodrigo Flores is back in left field.
“Rodrigo is a mainstay in left field for us,” Delaney said. “He has become one of the best outfielders around and I expect a big season for Rodrigo. Offensively, Rodrigo can give us a big boost at the plate just by getting on base.”
Senior Trent Hull returns to center field after posting a .421 batting average with 25 runs batted in and 33 stolen bases last season.
“I expect Trent to improve on that this season,” Delaney said. “He has worked really hard this offseason to have a more consistent approach and add some power to our lineup. I expect a huge season from Trent.”
Senior Braylon Kimbrough will start in right field, senior Edson Pacheco will DH, and senior Miles Vanek and sophomore Brian Arias will compete for time at second base.
“With our returning players as well as some exciting seniors we have added this year, I am expecting this group to excel and have our first winning season in a while,” Delaney said. “Our conference has been good for a few years now, and with our pitching depth this year, I expect us to compete in every one of those games.”
For that to happen, the Red Raiders have to be consistent on the mound and find a way to win close games.
“When it comes down to it, we have to throw strikes,” Delaney said. “We have proven the last couple of seasons that when we throw strikes, we give ourselves a chance. We also have to learn how to win. Getting a couple of wins under our belt early will go a long way for us.”
