Meet the 2023 Providence Journal All-State baseball team

The Providence Journal is proud to announce the 2023 All-States Baseball First and Second teams, presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. The Providence Journal has been naming All-State teams for more than 80 years to recognize and celebrate the top student-athletes across Rhode Island. The Journal Sports staff, with some help from the coaches associations, determine the first and second team members. The All-State teams are also posted on the High School Sports Awards page on providence journal.com/sports.

All first-team members were nominees for Player of the Year in that sport, and winners were announced at the High School Sports Awards show held last month at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence, featuring ex-Patriots safety Devin McCourty.

In baseball, the Providence Journal Player of the Year is Alex Clemmey, of Bishop Hendricken. High School.

The 2023 Providence Journal All-States Baseball First Team

Alex Clemmey

Senior, Bishop Hendricken

Pitcher

His talent suggests there are multiple chapters remaining in the left-hander's baseball journey. Clemmey was the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year and the Cy Young Award winner in Division I. He didn’t allow an extra-base hit, recorded more than 60% of his outs on strikes and touched speeds upward of 98 mph. He was the 58th pick in the MLB Draft on July 9. On July 11, he agreed to a professional contract with the Cleveland Guardians and will pass up a college commitment to Vanderbilt.

Michael Bradshaw

Senior, Cumberland

Pitcher

The Clippers captured their first state championship in 30 years thanks largely to Bradshaw's right arm. Bradshaw was credited with both of their wins in the Division I finals series against La Salle, allowing a lone run over 13⅓ innings. He went the distance in Game 3, a 2-1 victory that earned the Merrimack commit a permanent place in his program’s record books.

Tommy Turner

Senior, Coventry

Pitcher

Turner missed two weeks early in the season due to illness and still picked up more than half of his team’s wins on the mound. The right-hander opened with a victory against Hendricken and returned in time to help the Oakers squeeze into the Division I playoffs. Turner will continue in a two-way college role at Connecticut as he boasts a strong bat and good instincts in the outfield to go along with his talent on the mound.

Davis Johnson

Senior, Moses Brown

Catcher

Johnson was the Catcher of the Year in Division I, and he has an all-around skill set to thank. The Quakers were led by the athletic left-handed hitter who reached base safely in more than half of his at-bats during his final season. Johnson is committed to Notre Dame and is set to continue his career next season with an ACC program that reached the College World Series in 2022.

Ryan Thompson

Junior, Bishop Hendricken

Corner Infield

He entered high school as a pitching prospect and is likely to leave as one of the premier corner infield bats in the state. Thompson helped power an offense that came within a victory of reaching the Division I finals series, using his 6-foot-4-inch frame to threaten from the right side. He’s an early commitment to the University of Rhode Island.

Evan Beattie

Senior, North Kingstown

Corner Infield

Beattie was one of the leaders as the Skippers made a strong defense of the Division I crowns they captured in 2021 and 2022. He was a fixture in the middle of the lineup, a solid defender at first base and the closer on the mound when North Kingstown needed critical outs late in games. Beattie will continue his career next season at Roger Williams University.

Jack LaRose

Junior, Bishop Hendricken

Middle Infield

A lingering injury suffered during his team’s run to a state hockey championship did little to slow LaRose this spring. He remained one of the most lethal left-handed bats in Division I and a rock-solid defender at both shortstop and second base. LaRose will have one more season with the Hawks before honoring his early commitment to Connecticut.

John Mass

Junior, Portsmouth

Middle Infield

Mass continued to do a bit of everything for the Patriots this season. Work as a top right-handed pitcher, serve as a catalyst in the lineup, operate at a premium defensive position like shortstop — his versatility helped lead Portsmouth back to the Division I playoffs. Mass will look to be even sharper in 2024 before following through on his commitment to Boston College.

Robbie Lamond

Senior, North Kingstown

Outfield

How does Wheaton annually remain one of the top Division III college programs in the nation? The Lyons steal prospects like Lamond on the recruiting trail. He was the Division I Player of the Year while serving as a clutch bat and elite defensive center fielder for the Skippers. Lamond helped North Kingstown to within a couple of victories of a third straight league title series.

Michael Salzillo

Senior, La Salle

Outfield

Salzillo was the top all-around player for the Division I runner-up. Hitting, baserunning, defense in center field — his well-rounded game had few weaknesses. Salzillo led his team in runs scored, extra-base hits, stolen bases, walks and he came up with a pair of key outfield assists in a tight title series with Cumberland. He’ll continue his career next season just up the road at Clark University.

Colby Kuzman

Senior, Cranston West

Outfield

Kuzman already was committed to Alabama-Birmingham entering his final season but still found a way to take his game to another level. He topped the Division I playoff qualifier in hits, extra-base hits, walks and stolen bases while playing a strong defensive center field. Kuzman is expected to enroll with the Blazers this fall.

Griffin Crain

Junior, Bishop Hendricken

Utility/Designated Hitter

The Division I Most Valuable Player was the best two-way performer in the state this past season. Crain was already a gifted outfielder and an early commitment to Louisville. He struck out just once while helping drive the Hawks at the plate. It was his emergence as a left-handed pitcher that almost delivered Hendricken to the state title series, as he developed into a tough No. 2 option in the rotation.

SECOND TEAM

P — Randy Guzman, Senior, Cranston East

P — Patrick Jones, Junior, La Salle

P — Bradyn Shadoian, Senior, Smithfield

C — Carlos Merejo, Junior, Cranston East

CIF —  Jack McKnight, Senior, East Providence

CIF — Michael Ucci, Senior, East Greenwich

MIF — Parker Camelo, Senior, Mt. Hope

MIF — Gabe Tanous, Junior, Barrington

OF — Adonis Medina, Junior, Central

OF — Luke Plumer, Senior, Cumberland

OF — Aidan Powers, Senior, Exeter-West Greenwich

UTIL — Carlos Roquez, Senior, Mount Pleasant

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 2023 Providence Journal All-State high school baseball team