Another summer has come and gone, and with it, a summer full of Wiffle®Ball across the State of Connecticut. While the claim cannot be accurately testified for absolute validity, 2022 was one of the most highly-particpated years for Wiffle®Ball in the State's history. With over 240 verified players across over a half-dozen leagues, the task to try and rank the best of the past calendar year has been tough. But in the face of adversity, we have done our best to provide the deepest analysis to make this year's rankings that little bit less controversial.
Before we dive into the list, there a few ground rules that were used in the making of these rankings:
Players were selected from accredited backyard Wiffle®Ball leagues that hosted games in the State of Connecticut. Active leagues were verified in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to: active social media accounts with post(s)/content pertaining to the 2022 season, active website with updated game scores, standings, statistics, and or article(s); release of season results and/or statistics to the Connecticut Wiffle®Ball League in the event that such results are not publicly available
All information pulled for these lists were current and accurate per each league's statistics data as of September 1st, 2022
Data used for these rankings may not be complete, as some leagues included in this list have either not entered their complete season staistics, or are yet to complete their season; leagues and teams which completed their seasons and/or submitted full statistics were given priority consideration where deemed necessary
Players who have exclusive membership to a Connecticut Wiffle®Ball League team are NOT included in these rankings; these rankings are to highlight the best players from the "backyard" leagues that played in 2022
Players are compared and ranked on, but are not limited to: regular season statistics, season awards/accolades, available game footage online, analysis from the CT Backyard Wiffle® Showcase
With all of the rules and guidelines out of the way, it is time to rank. Here they are: The CT Wiffs Review Top 25 Players of 2022!
Number 25: Luke O'Connell
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Shactown Wiffle Ball
League: Darien Wiffle Ball League (DWBL)
Notable Stats: 3-1 W-L, 11 IP, 1 ER, 0.91 WHIP (8 GP)*
Awards: TBD
* = Stats Incomplete
For a Shactown Wiffle Ball team that had championship-contneding ambitions, Luke O'Connel put on an excellent pitching display to help his team do just that. After a dissapointing 7.20 ERA a year ago, O'Connell proved to be a viable comapnion arm alongside teammate Simeon Doll. Luke led his team in ERA (0.27), WHIP (0.91), and STR% (64.91%) in a season which saw him shine in complete-game shutout efforts against the defending-champion Western Warriors (April 9th) and Silver Stallions (June 10th).
O'Connel's run-limiting success continued to make him a valuable asset to the team, though it seemed to have changed greatly from his rookie campaign. While Luke did have a near complete erase of his offensive production - slashing .130/.310/.174 in 2022 compared to .389/.577/1.083 in 2021 - he is one of many players to have been affected by the swarm of pitching depth the Darien Wiffle Ball League has seen this past season. With that considered, it would be nice to see Luke put his performances of the past two seasons together. A season of that production level would immediately be one of the best in the State.
But nevertheless, Luke's contributions to Shactown's pitching overhaul has helped make the team a serious title contneder, and for that Luke has found a spot on this year's rankings.
Number 24: Cole Forcellina
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Benchwarmers
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: 10 HR, 1.351 OPS, 15.2 IP, 2.11 ERA/3 (27 GP)
Awards: SNWL Most Improved Player, All-SNWL 2nd Team, SNWL Valley League All-Star
Cole Forcellina joins the 2022 CT Wiffs Review with an impressive year for the SoNo Wiffle Ball League's Benchwarmers.
With the company of temmate and ace Kam Walker, Cole was able to put together a solid offensive performance that led to an All-Star nomination this season. His contributions included a top-10 league finish in batting average (,351), as well as sharing the team lead in hits (26) and the overal team lead in on-base percentage (.489). Part of Cole's offensive success may come down to his ability to draw the walk: he drew one very 4.75 plate appearances, putting him 7th in the SNWL in that category.
On the defensive end, Cole provided a solid number-two option behind his aforementioned teammate. Used primarily in a secondary, bullpen "fill-in" role, Forcellina pitched to a solid 2.11 ERA in just over 15 innings. For Forcellina, control seemed to be an area of concern, as he was 50/50 in his ratio of strikeouts to walks, and had a pedestrian .338 batting average against (BAA). The low ERA may suggest that the All-SNWL 2nd teamer may have had the result of getting outs on balls in play. Effective and productive, yes, but more elite pitchers are able to do so with their pitching prowess alone. Thus his ability to be ranked higher at the moment, despite the accolades awarded to him, are limited.
The Benchwarmers will be grateful to have Cole return to the team in 2023, and should he get a hold of this report, it possible that even further improvement to the league Most Improved Player could propel him to superstardom, and his team to true championship contention.
Number 23: Jackson Fleming (R)
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Big Baller Bombers
League: Griswold Wiffleball League (GWL)
Notable Stats: .500 AVG, .615 OBP, 5 HR
Awards: GWL Rookie of the Year
The up-and-coming Griswold Wiffleball League saw the forthcoming several players with solid seasons in 2022. But in the league's fourth season of play, a league re-draft saw the emergence of a promising rookie asset: Jackson Fleming.
Fleming was never once a league leader in any offensive statistical category this season. From that perspective alone, Fleming should not have a place on this list. The reason he is on this list, however, is for his consistency. Jackson served as a reliable force for getting on-base, as he finished 5th in the league in batting average (.500) and on-base percetange (.512). In a league dominated by returning players, Jackson was able to make a large contribution to the Bombers' 12-win season, and trip to the GWL World Series.
While the lack of stats reported by the GWL may imply that Jackson did not have a role pitching on his team - or any good one worth nothing - it may be best for Jackson to continue his trajectory as an effective and dynamic offensive player. These rankings do reward more two-way players than anything else, but Jackson's offensive contributions leave us interested on his development into 2023 and beyond.
Number 22: Andrew Leonard
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Oppo Tacos
League: Stamford Wiffleball League (SWBL)
Notable Stats: N/A
Awards: TBA
After both of the CT Backyard Wiffle® Showcases, a number of good players came out with excellent performances for the Wiffle® world to take in. Some of them will be on this list, and the first one of them is Andrew Leonard.
Leonard has a special place on this list, as he is the only player this year - and the third all-time - to make the rankings without any submitted stats. In spite of the lack of any records on his performance, the regard players in the Stamford Wiffleball League had for his talents had to make us at least consider him. Rumored to be towards the top of most pitching categories, Leonard has begun to develop a nice arsenal that have him regarded as the best pitcher in his local league.
League executive Conor Smith was not wrong about the 2021 SWBL MVP: the kid can play. Andrew's performance at the 2022 SWBL Spring Playoffs were indicative of that, as he captained his league-best Oppo Tacos to the championship series, pairing the team's accomplishments with a no-hit effort in the opening round, and a win in an 11-inning classic in Game 1 of the SWBL Spring Championship Series.
Had there been more statistics provided by his own league, there could have been an opportunity for Leonard to rank higher on this list. But given his youth and passion to the game, there is reason to believe this will not be the last time you see his name among Connecticut's best Wifflers.
Number 21: Daniel Lustosa
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Blue Balla's
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: .360 AVG, .880 SLG, 1.351 OPS (30 GP)
Awards: All-SNWL Third Team, SNWL Valley League All-Star
Daniel Lustosa has made the cut for this year's rankings due to his incredible offensive production this past season. Daniel led the SNWL's Blue Balla's in in nearly every major offensive category, with an offensive production that saw him finished 3rd in the league in total runs created (RC, 41.5). His offensive prowess saw him complete some excellent performances throughout the season, including a memorable 4-hit game off Steve Arduino and the Asgardians on May 30th, one of 16 games where he was able to drive in a run this season.
With his offensive prowess at fully display, his defensive metrics are no where near as flattering as some of the other top arms the SoNo league has to offer. His 4.28 ERA/3 in 47 IP failed to give the team an ace that allowed their solid offensive core to compete longer into the season. The lack of success on the rubber may come down to a lack of a diverse pitching arsenal, as Daniel finished 5th-worst in batting average against (BAA, .383), and 3rd-worst in strikeout percentage (K%, 12.23%) among SNWL pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched. While SoNo is not a league completely dominated by pitchers, all of the "elite" teams were able to carry at least one arm that gave opponents a scare. And, at least by statistical comparison, Daniel was not able to provide that this season.
Despite the team falling apart at the end of the season and missing the postseason, and the fact that the defensive game needs some improvement, one pair of the Lustosa brothers did his fair share to keep the team competitive throughout the season. Provided the team can solve its pitching situation by next season, Daniel will have a chane to lead his team back into playoff contention in 2023.
Number 20: Billy Batson
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: 714 Wifflers
League: Darien Wiffle Ball League (DWBL)
Notable Stats: .375 AVG, .750 SLG, 18 TB (8 GP)*
Awards: TBD
* = Stats Incomplete
Often overlooked compared to his new teammate for this season Cooper Puff, Billy Batson put together one of the most undervalued seasons in the Darien Wiffle Ball League in 2022.
Without much of the need to pitch this season - nor it being much of his strongsuit to begin with - Batson was able to focus all of his energy into being a perfect offensive compliment to his team. To that extent, he did everything that could of been asked of himself: 4th in batting average (.375), 6th in slugging percentage (.750), 4th in total runs created (9.290). On top of that, Billy was able to put opposing defenses into chaos, with an excellent .750 batting average on balls in play (.750). When not being dragged down by the "3-true-outcome bug" that seemed to hit the Darien Wiffle Ball League the hardest this season, Billy was one of the best when putting the ball in play and in the yard.
For his contributions to a solid season for the 714 Wifflers, Billy Batson finds himself a member of the 25 best backyard Wifflers for 2022.
Number 19: Max Pomponi
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Demons
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: .446 AVG, .556 OBP, .831 SLG (18 GP)
Awards: SNWL Valley League Gold Glove, All-SNWL 3rd Team, SNWL Valley League All-Star
A player with a championship pedigree, Max Pompini could not have liked not being on the rankings last year. An SNWL champion with this team in 2020 and resting on the sidelines in 2021, Max Pompini came in with a vengeance to perform in 2022. And while failing to come home with the ultimate hardware for the second consecutive year, it is hard to imagine the Demons/Lynx franchise without him. How could you replace his production?
Well when you look at his year in totality, Max was able to make the best of limited time. In just 18 regular season games, he was able to slash an offensive line of .446 (1st)/.556 (2nd)/.831 (6th), while landing himself 4th in OPS (1.386). Max's offensive prowess was on display to all of the league, as he was able to have at least one 3-hit game or better against five of the seven different opponents he faced in 2022 (King Cobras - May 24th, Blue Balla's - May 28th *twice*, Puff Peppers - June 2nd, Benchwarmers - June 2nd, Asgardians - June 7th). From aces to reserve arms, Max was able to strike fear into the eyes of his opponents.
Beyond his contributions at the plate, Max's presence was most felt while in the field. Given that SoNo plays an MLW-style, semi-fastpitch ruleset with baserunning, players are challenged to cover lots of ground often. Tasked with the challenge of backing up Artie Cocchia, Max was often found the architect behind some incredible plays, one of which included a one-handed catch at the 2022 SNWL All-Star Game during the CT Backyard Wiffle® Showcase.
While the end result for the team may not have been what he may have envisioned when returning, Max can confidently look back at his 2022 campaign as his strongest yet.
Number 18: Calvin Oddo
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Black Knights
League: Griswold Wiffleball League (GWL)
Notable Stats: .390 AVG, 11 HR, 33 RBI
Awards: GWL Silver Slugger
Another player comihng out of the Griswold Wiffleball League, Calvin Oddo had himself an offensive season to be proud of in 2022.
When initally reviewing all of the players for these rankings, I found it odd that the GWL named their best hitter to a player who failed to finish the season top 5 in the league in batting average. Then again, reviewing the rest of the stats seemed to clarify their choice perfectly. The Black Knights' slugger swung his way to 3rd in the GWL in hits (30), 2nd in RBIs (33), and the leader in home runs (11). Calvin's batting performance over the course of the season was right up there with the best of them in the Griswold league.
So what is holding him back in this year's rankings? Well, like some of the other players coming from leagues new to the rankings: talent, both within and outside Calvin's local league. In a league like the GWL where the top players hit north of .500 and are on top of their game pitching too, it is difficult to justify a higher ranking right now. Calvin's slugging production should not be taken for granted. It did keep his Black Knights team within striking distance of the two title favorites, the Bombers and the Ball Busters. Heck, it was good enough to warrant a place in this Top 25 list. But, bottom-line, there were other players in generally more talented leagues that matched or exceeded Calvin's output this season.
Unfortunately, being in a relatively lesser-known league for accredited talent like Griswold limits the amount of weight we can put on Calvin's successes this season. But as the league progresses, we are interested to see how the Silver Slugger will adapt his game on both sides of the ball.
Number 17: Ryan Trani
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Peruvian Puff Peppers
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: .360 AVG, .450 OBP, 8-2 W-L, 2.48 WHIP (30 GP)
Awards: All-SNWL Third Team, SNWL Metro League All-Star
In terms of being a "jack-of-all-trades", Ryan Trani was a perfect fit for the Peruvian Puff Peppers in the SoNo wiffle Ball League this season. The Metro League All-Star had himself an excellent season to compliment the team's run to an SNWL title.
During the regular season, Trani was an on-base, in-play machine, finishing 6th in the SNWL in on-base percentage (OBP, .492) and batting average on balls in play (BABIP, .456). While not leading his team in any offensive category, it should not render any of his statistics invaluable. Much of the Puff Pepper's stats are incredibly close to each other, presenting their workload as incredibly deep and balanced throughout the lineup. And for Trani to be along side a great trio with Jeb Broyer and Ben Boccanfuso, only helps his case.
On the pitching side of things, Ryan served as one of the best number-two arms across the league, ammasing eight wins from ten starts while keeping offenses in-check with a .280 batting average against (BAA) and 2.48 walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP).
Being able to contribute from everywhere, Ryan Trani deserves a spot on this year's rankings. And should he be able to improve his metrics in the upcoming season, he can make the case to drive much further up the list.
Number 16: Cooper Puff
2021 Ranking: 16
Team: 714 Wifflers
League: Darien Wiffle Ball League (DWBL)
Notable Stats: .300 AVG, 15.1 IP, 1.37 ERA/3, 41 Ks (8 GP)*
Awards: TBD
* = Stats Incomplete
Teammate to fellow Top 25 member Billy Batson, Cooper Puff returns to the list after a second straight impressive season in the Darien Wiffle Ball League. Having left the team he started his DWBL career with - the 3-time defending champion Western Warriors - many inside the league wondered how Cooper would do at the forefront of a pitching staff alone. The result: arguably, his most complete season to-date.
While his offensive production was down in the 8 recorded games he played in 2022, his pitching saw a substantial jump in efficency. Compared to 2021, Cooper saw a 10 percent increase in strikes thrown: 55.69% this season compared to 47.95% last season. With the ability to throw strikes more often, Cooper was able to lower the amount of walks he handed out, forcing hitters to try and hit his difficult riser and slider combination. Surprisingly, most reams failed to figure Cooper out, as the 3rd-year player ended the 2022 regular season with a 1.37 ERA/3. In a season where several DWBL aces were nearly unoutchable, it may be easy to overlook such a performance. But us at the CT Wiffs Review applaud Cooper on another successful season on the carpet.
In spite of his improvements in 2022, it is hard to rank Cooper any higher on the list this season. Without having as good of an offensive season as other players in the league - some of whom had even more impressive statistical seasons than he did along with excellent pitching - it puts Cooper in an exclusive club, just not in the "ultra-elite" Top 10 or so just yet. But with further improvemtns to his game, it would not be out of the realm of possibility.
Number 15: James Nuzzo
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Demons
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: .392 AVG, .921 SLG, 1.440 OPS, 12 HR (21 GP)
Awards: SNWL Valley League Silver Slugger, All-SNWL 2nd Team
As much as you need reliable pitching to win as many games as the Demons won in 2022, you also need a stellar offense. James Nuzzo was a large part of that equation this season, despite not playing as much as his teammates.
James established himself as a worthy power bat in the SoNo Wiffle Ball League, mashing to a league-leading 12 home runs and ludicrous slugging perctange (SLG) of .946. The latter of those two statistics - the .946 SLG - was third in the State among batters with at least 25 plate appearances (and the players in first and second had combined fewer trips to the plate than Nuzzo did, effectively putting Nuzzo in first depending on who you ask). This level of production, combined with the power of teammates Artie Cocchia and Max Pompini, made the Demons the tyrannically, historically good in 2022.
As a relief arm, Nuzzo was also serviceable and efforts to much of the tasks asked of him. In 2022, Nuzzo was able to snatch two wins on the rubber, all while posting an ecouraging 1.67 ERA/3 and 1.89 WHIP. While not flashy in terms of strikeouts (or the opposite way with walks), Nuzzo was able to get outs when he needed to, giving teammate Cocchia some semblance of rest during their regular season quest.
In a league consistently getting better, it is questionable if such a season can be followed up. If it can, then a big upgrade up the list could be in the works. If not, James can look back at 2022 as a fond period of his Wiffling and sporting career.
Number 14: Jake Duthrie
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Modesto Nuts
League: Griswold Wiffleball League (GWL)
Notable Stats: .556 AVG, .615 OBP, 8 HR, 28 RBI
Awards: GWL Comeback Player of the Year
In the face of a (bluntly) miserable year for the Modesto Nuts, Jake Duthrie stood out as not only a bright spot for his team, but for the whole of the Griswold Wiffleball League in 2022.
Jake served as the sparkplug for the entire Nuts offense, including a second-half stretch that was one of the best in the State this season. Riding on a near 200-point increae in his batting average from the All-Star break to the end of the regular season, Jake smashed his way to league rankings of 2nd in batting average (.556), 5th in hits (25) and RBIs (28), and T-3rd in HR (8). In fact, Jake's second half was so spectacular that his batting average finished SECOND in the State overall (among batters with at least 25 plate appearances), only falling behind his fellow leaguemate and MVP Bryce Morrissette. Yeah, that's uh, pretty darn good if you ask us.
To compliment his offensive production, Jake unfortunately, was not so good from the pitching rubber. Despite Griswold being more of an offensive-first league than some of the others this year, there is not much to write home about when you have a 5.25 ERA/3. Even if you have decent 2.75 WHIP, it would suggest that the balls Duthrie allows in play are large, run-conceeding ones. Either that, or Jake was unfortunately tortured by one of the worst defenses in the State this past season. Without more stats, it is hard to prove Jake completely innocent. But some blame should be okaced on his arm, and call for some improvemnt this offseason.
All that bashing aside, however, the lack of pitching prowess can be overlooked when you have an offensive season like the one mentioned here. Such a season is worthy of being endoresed as one of the best one-way offensive players in the State in 2022.
Number 13: Simeon Doll
2021 Ranking: 13
Team: Shactown Wiffle Ball
League: Darien Wiffle Ball League (DWBL)
Notable Stats: .320 AVG, 10 RBI, 2.25 ERA/3 (8 GP)*
Awards: TBD
* = Stats Incomplete
Following his first season in the Darien Wiffle Ball League in 2021, Simeon Doll went into this season as one of the hungriest players in the State. If you were able to catch Simeon while he collected his array awards at the end of last year, he ended each award acceptance with "...but we want a championship." Each time, a "championship" was more important than anything else. Anything else, then maybe a spot on this year's rankings. And oh, did he deserve it this season.
Returning to an upgraded and more experienced Shactown team for his second second, Simeon addressed the biggest hole in his game: pitching. While it would be harsh to apply full crticism to a first attempt at anything - let alone pitching a Wiffle®Ball - Simeon's efforts were substantially off the pace. His 7.55 ERA/3, 3.49 WHIP, and sub-50% strike rate showed that the rookie spent much of the season trying to find something that was effective in his arsenal. With control an issue in year one, Simeon spent much of the offseason to improve his pitching product. What resulted of his work was an unlucky yet solid season from the rubber (or plastic if you choose the throw-down Franklin bases, what classics those things are). Despite finishing with a 1-3 win-loss record, Simeon pitched to a 2.25 ERA, striking out 25 while only walking 10. Remember his WHIP and strike rate we previously mentioned? Well, those got a LOT better. 1.70 WHIP and 61.22% strike rate show that Doll, while unable to have the rate of potent success like other pitchers in the DWBL, was able to hone his control and get outs to give his team the best shot at victory.
While taking a step back from his enormous .500/.638/1.320 slashline in 2021, Simeon ranked among some of the best hitters in the Darien Wiffle Ball League in 2022. When the ball was put in play, Simeon had an incredible .833 BABIP to backup a solid .320 batting average (AVG) and 10 runs batted in (RBI). With the increase in pitching talent found around the DWBL this season, the offensive contributions from Doll came at the cost of a high strikeout rate. For his 27 plate apperances in 2022, 16 were by punchout, a worrysome 1.69 PA/SO ratio (2nd in the DWBL among batters with at least 20 plate appearances). Struggling to show good plate discipline throughout the season - only getting walks once every 15-16 plate appearances - the high strikeout rate made Doll feel "high risk, high reward". In spite of his contributions at the plate, Simeon's succumbing to the stronger pitching compared to other players prevent him from getting an upgrade on this season's rankings.
While not moving up nor down, Simeon Doll had a great campaign for Shactown Wiffle Ball, and played a big part into their championship aspirations in 2022. The second-year player continues to develop, and will continue to be one to watch to see if he can produce elite talent to get to the top of the rankings.
Number 12: Austin Kipphut
2021 Ranking: 14
Team: Coastal Cyclones
League: Darien Wiffle Ball League (DWBL)
Notable Stats: 24.1 IP, 7-0 W-L, 2 ER, 71 Ks (11 GP)*
Awards: TBD
* = Stats Incomplete
Upon losing the title as a member of the now-defunct Downtown Dodgers in 2021, Austin Kipphut's number 12 ranking last year could not drown out the relentless boos and nags from the Darien Wiffle Ball League faithful. Among those cries of disapproval, came the nickname "Aroldnis", for his constant episodes of walking-sprees and inability to tame the flashes of ability he had shown throughout his career. He did all of this behind the cover of fellow DWBL veteran Jack Cunningham, which saw him become the Robin to arguably the league's best duo last year.
After Shactown had done enough to steal away Cunningham, Kipphut was on his way to a team of his own: the Coastal Cyclones. Joining the team alongside 3-time DWBL Cy Young winner Sam Donnelly, it seemed natural to believe Austin would play the same role as he had in the past. But on the pitching side, it is very arguable - and we feel confident to believe - that Austin had just as good a year from the rubber than Donnelly. Just have a look at his statline from the regular season: over 24 innings pitched, allowing TWO EARNED RUNS on ONE HIT; all of that amassing to a 0.25 ERA. YEEAAH, you could say that's one hell of an effort. Even in a season where his control was not up to par with other elite arms in the DWBL (53.37% strike rate, last among all DWBL pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched), Austin was able to make the pitches count when he needed them most. His potent pitching allowed him to rack up an incredible 8.75 K/3, which if adjusted to match 5-inning games in the CTWL, would be the same as 14.59 K/5. For comparison, 2021 CTWL Pro League Cy Young and MVP Zach Cifarelli managed 10.63 K/5. If those numbers do not justify his claims on a successful 2022 regular season, then you should probably stop reading these rankings.
So with all the praise we have given Austin for his pitching in 2022, then cannot be a downside, can there be? Well, unfortunately, there is. Austin's bat was virtually inexistent in 2022, slashing a very poor .095/.513/.095 compared to .429/.638/1.214 in 2021. Austin struggled to put the ball in play this season compared to the other elite players in the league, and those struggles are so poor that we cannot even justify a Top-10 finish for a player who should be a DWBL Cy Young candidate this year. If other elite arms can hit north of .300 while sharing both duties - if they can be more complete players - than it is hard to justify an upgrade above Austin's ranking for 2022.
Like some other players on this year's list, if Austin was able to hit even A FRACTION of what he did in 2021, then a CT Player of The Year nomination would have been on the cards. But despite the poor hitting, Austin put up the best pitching season of his DWBL career, one that his put his name among the top pitching prospects in the State of Connecting going forward.
Number 11: Brian Ehlers
2021 Ranking: 12
Team: Asgardians
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: 45 H, .388 AVG, 35 R (30 GP)
Awards: All-SWNL 2nd Team, SNWL Metro League All-Star
Nearly retaining his position from last season, Brian Ehlers returned with an offensive display that demonstrated what a reigning SNWL champion should be. Surrounded with an even stronger team than the year before, Brian did his fair share to contribute to the Asgardians' success in 2022.
Brian finished the regular season without missing a single game, a feat only 12 SNWL players completed. A staple in the lineup alongside team captain Jeff Cocchia, Brian was second in hits (45), leading the SoNo Wiffle Ball League in singles (28) and doubles (12). His .388 batting average was good enough for 7th in the league, all of his work enabling a 5th-best total in runs created (35.7).
While it does not go directly towards his place in the rankings, Brian was an active force in the managment of the Asgardians throughout 2022. From the times we saw him at the Connecticut Backyard Wiffle® Showcase, Brian expressed a great deal of leadership and composure, always showing up to do his best for the team and the league. His determination to win was apparent on the field, and while a bit softspoken pubically, it made him a joy to watch.
As Brian looks to 2023 with a revamped roster for his newly-named Continental Eagles, Brian will continue his mark as one of the best contact hitters in Connecticut backyard Wiffle®Ball.
Number 10: Ashton Goodwin
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Boston Ball Busters
League: Griswold Wiffleball League (GWL)
Notable Stats: 31 IP, 8-1 W-L, 1.26 ERA, 67 Ks
Awards: GWL Cy Young, GWL Gold Glove
Ashton Goodwin had an excellent 2022 season for the regular-season-champion Boston Ball Busters, but from more places than you think. Allow us to explain...
First off, Ashton displayed a complete effort on the flat hill this season, posting eight wins from 67 Ks and a league-leading 1.26 ERA/3. His dominance throughout the GWL season was highlighted by several key performances, including with a no-hitter against the Black Knights on July 26th, and a six-inning 15-strikeout affair against the same team on July 6th. While those performances may seem like Ashton was "stat-padding" off of one team, that was not the case. Ashton recorded several appearances allowing two runs or fewer against each of the teams he faced in 2022. The ability to throw effective pitches to all hitters allowed him to limit the damage, evident by his league-leading 1.98 WHIP in 31 innings pitched. Such numbers, combined with an excellent eye for the spectacular on defense, led him to the honors of Cy Young and Gold Glove for the season.
After all that talk about his pitching, that is not all. Ashton proved he could be a contributing factor on offense as well as defense. The heart of the regular season champion Ball Busters was an on-base machine, finishing 3rd in the GWL for batting average (AVG, .526) and 2nd in on base percentage (OBP, .690).
When you put everytyhing together, the unit of work put in by Ashton Goodwin was nothing short of an MVP season. While we decided to rank him just at number 10, that is not to take anything away from a player who has pleasently surprised us a lot in 2022.
Number 9: Henry Imbrogno
2021 Ranking: 6
Team: Western Warriors
League: Darien Wiffle Ball League (DWBL)
Notable Stats: 23 IP, 5-1 W-L, 0.13 ERA/3, 68 K (10 GP)*
Awards: TBD
* = Stats Incomplete
Finding himself return to the top 10 for the second year in a row, Western Warriors and Darien Wiffle Ball League ace Henry Imbrogno was among the best arms on the flat hill for Connecticut backyard Wiffle®Ball in 2022.
For Henry, it was much business as usual for a player who has gotten good at the whole Wiffle®Ball pitching thing. Across his four starts in six appearances during the regular season, Henry was able to pitch a shutout in all but one of his outings. Of those no-run outings, came FOUR no-hitters, including a perfect game against the Southside Sluggers on April 8th. Across all outings, Henry only gave up ONE, SINGLE RUN, the run coming in his only loss to Shactown on April 9th. Back to his season as-a-whole, Henry's mind-numbing 8.87 K/3 ratio was the best mark in the State, as was his incredible 0.26 WHIP.
If that was not enough, Henry was able to be of decent value at the plate. Henry hit .213/.463/.500 across 10 regular season games, a set of stats that - like many DWBL players in 2022 - saw a turn for the worse rather than for the better. While Henry's offensive statistics provide anything of note, hitting has never been a strongsuit of his game. What has captivated us has been, and continues to be, his incredible mix of velocity, movement, and control at such a young age.
Given his ability to provide something on offense to add to a stellar pitching campaign, Henry has done well to earn another top-10 finish in the rankings.
Number 8: Stephen Arduino
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Asgardians
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: .451 AVG, 33 RBI, 1.445 OPS, 7-2 W-L, 1.73 ERA/3 (24 GP)
Awards: SNWL Metro League Silver Slugger, SNWL Metro League Gold Glove, All-SNWL First Team, SNWL Metro League All-Star
After taking a year away from the SoNo Wiffle Ball League in 2021, the Asgardians signing of Steve Arduino raised eyebrows towards the organization. With a two-year break since his last appearance in the league, could Steve provide assistance to an already-dangerous Asgardians lineup? If team captain Jeff Cocchia's smile taking photos for the league Instagram is any indication, the answer is YES. HELL YES.
Being a problem for teams across SoNo in 2022, Steve is one of two players on this list to identify as a true lefty - lefty batter and lefty pitcher (the other being Simeon Doll). Having an edge from both sides of the ball, Steve was able to be an all-around force this season. In terms of hitting, Steve slashed .451/.533/.912 to the sound of nine home runs and 33 rubs batted in. With the ability to hit for both contact and power against his opposition, Steve put together a 1.445 OPS, ranking third in the State in that statistic. With numbers that consistenlty impressive across the board, you would think there would be a catch. But really, there wasn't much for the Metro Leatgue Silver Slugger. Unlike some top hitters who struggle with high strikeout rates, Steve struck out the least of any SNWL hitter with at least 80 plate appearances, being K-ed only 12 times in his 110 trips to the plate in 2022.
With an offensive display that ranked among the best players in the State, the defensive display was just as noteworthy. Serving as the number-two arm behind team ace Joe Druin, Steve put up winning numbers throughout the season. Across all of his efforts Steve earned seven wins while being one of the hardest pitchers to square up. While his stuff was not the nastiest - averaging just under five strikeouts per three innings pitched - Steve ranked among the best in the SNWL in terms of batting average against (.229) and WHIP (1.69), finishing 4th in both categories. With the ability to prevent hits with his arm, Steve was even better with his hands. Steve was one to make highlight plays on a near regular basis, including his one-hand snag during the SNWL All-Star Game that grabbed him a nomination for CT Play of the Year.
From what can be observed, there is validity in the statement that Steve Arduino is BACK to form, and played the best Wiffs of his life in 2022. When you have a year like the one that Steve had, it is no surprise the Asgardians were able to have the success they had this past season. So was it a return? YEAH, one hell of a return to put Arduino among Connecticut's best backyard wifflers. And after getting a chance to watch him on multiple occasions at the Connecticut Backyard Wiffle® Showcase, there is faith that he has the talent to be a rising force for years to come.
Number 7: Bryce Morrissette
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Big Baller Bombers
League: Griswold Wiffleball League (GWL)
Notable Stats: .556 AVG, .717 OBP, 37 RBI, 2.25 ERA/3
Awards: GWL Most Valuable Player
Bryce Morrissette's 2022 campaign with the Big Baller Bombers produced arguably the most complete season of any Griswold Wiffleball League player. For a team that won 12 of 18 games in the regular season and had the noteworthy contributions of Andrew Hardin, Bryce did quite the job to make himself stand out among the team.
In a year where Bryce was dominant on both sides of the ball, his presence was most felt offensively. Nearly winning the GWL Triple Crown, Bryce finished the season 1st in batting average (AVG, .556), T-3rd in home runs (HR, 8), and 1st in runs batted in (RBI, 37). With his ability to clobber the ball at any moment for a hit, Bryce worked his way to be the State leader in on-base percentage (OBP) with a RIDICULOUS .717! That percentage, for reference, was 95 points better than the next eligible player, and 120 points better than the next eligible player with at least 90 plate appearances. So when we say Bryce is an offensive monster, WE MEAN HE IS AN OFFENSIVE MONSTER.
In terms of his defense, Bryce was just as impactful. Considering Bryce was an inconsistent member of the Ball Busters' pitching rotation, Bryce made the best of his opportunities. Bryce was able to get out when needed, pitching to a 2.25 ERA/3 and 37 strikeouts (both good enough for top-5 finishes in the GWL in their respective categories). For all the raw talent that Bryce has, there may be signs that his pitching may need some fine-tuning. His 2.66 WHIP puts him among average to below-average aces across the State, suggesting that there may be a "walk-spree" per game within him to allow opponents to attack him. But when he is under control - as his ERA and winning pedigree shows - he is as effective as the rest of him. With more consistent appearances on the flat hill, Bryce could develop himself into an elite arm.
Across the season, Bryce had several big appearances. But none may have been bigger than his July 8th against title-rivals, the Ball Busters. In the second game of the series, Bryce not only got a pitching win, but hit for 5 RBIs with a grand slam to boot. When you have a player who can perform like that, it seems only logical to award him the MVP award. The Griswold Wiffleball community have a keeper with Morrissette, as he has the makings of an upcoming star and the ability to improve with more reps.
Number 6: Kam Walker
2021 Ranking: 5
Team: Benchwarmers
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: 11 HR, .942 SLG, 10-3 W-L, 69 Ks (21 GP)
Awards: All-SNWL 2nd Team, SNWL Valley League All-Star
Despite not winning hardware at the rate his top-ranking league-mates have, Kam Walker had himself an explosive 2022 campaign leading the Benchwarmers. While not playing as many games as he would have liked, the 3rd-year veteran had himself a duel-threat season that ranked among the best in the SoNo Wiffle Ball League.
Unlike the previous player on this list, Walker's offensive metrics focused more on power than a balanced approach. Kam's batting average on balls in play (BABIP, .349) was lower than his actual batting average (AVG, .377), suggesting that he relied on balls hit beyond the fence to increase his production. But if one were to decline a 20-point drop in batting average for one of the deadliest hitters in the State of Connecticut, they would be making a fool of themselves. Kam mashed his way to 11 home runs, finishing in a share of second place in both the SNWL and Connecticut behind Daniel Lustosa. Kam also slashed a league-leading .942 slugging percentage (SLG) and fourth-best strikeout rate at 5.40 plate appearances per punchout, showing that he could do his thing without risking outs in the lineup.
From the other side of the ball Kam was worthy of being the Benchwarmers ace for the 2022 season. Grinding to 10 of the team's 16 wins, Walker was a power-pitching machine. His 69 punchouts and 35.75 K% were both 4th-best in the SoNo Wiffle Ball League, putting him among the best arms in the league. With his ability to retire batters at such a high clip, Kam pitched to a top-5 finish in batting average against (BAA, .244), putting him well among SoNo's most elite arms.
While the season did not result in a championship or deep postseason push, there is no reason to belive that 2022 was a disssapointment for Kam Walker. Should he be able to find another star player to boost the Benchwarmers roster, 2023 could see more exciting things from one of Connecticut's most solid prospects.
Number 5: Ben Boccanfuso
2021 Ranking: Not Ranked
Team: Peruvian Puff Peppers
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: .407 AVG, 11 HR, 42 RBI, 1.487 OPS, .197 BAA (30 GP)
Awards: SNWL Rookie of the Year, All-SNWL 1st Team
Going into the 2022 season, I can honestly say that I had NO IDEA a talent like Ben Boccanfuso could emerge in ONE SEASON of organized Wiffle®Ball. Even while not seeing Ben play as part of the Backyard Showcase in 2022, viewing his statline blew any preconceived notion of what a first-year player could achieve in a league as solid as the SoNo Wiffle®Ball League.
The raving reviews come from all facets of play, but first let me divulge into his hitting performances. In a league which saw a noticeable decline in avearge offensive performance in 2022, the SNWL Rookie of the Year was a large contributor to the Puff Peppers' championship lineup. Up against a great standard of teammates in Jeb Broyer and previously-ranked Ryan Trani, Ben served as the slugger at the heart of the beat, leading the team in slugging percentage (.895) and home runs (11). Not only were his marks impressive among his teammates, both those same stats were good enough for sixth and second in the ENTIRE STATE (among those with at least 25 plate appearances). Among some solid bats of Connecticut backyard wiffs in the past, Ben has done a tremendous job to not only disrupt that conversation, but do it without hurting his team. In spite of his big swing, Ben ranked sixth in plate apperances per strikeout (5.95), a mark that puts him among some of the league's and State's most feared hitters. With the ability to constantly get on-base and do serious damage, Ben was easily one of the best hitters in the State in 2022.
Not happy with the performance on offense? Well, if that is not your flavor, then pitching and defense may be instead. As the clear ace of his team's staff, Boccanfuso was so dominant he very nearly made a case to win the SNWL's Cy Young Award. In a season which saw him accumulate 18 starts, Ben was exceptional as a power pitching option. Striking out nearly one in every three batters he faced, Ben worked his touch to a sub-1.75 ERA per three innings and the second-best batting average against (BAA, .197) in the league. When the only players who outclassed you are among those to make these very rankings, you could say that the first attempt at pitching was a resounding success. With his success on the mound, that is not to say that the work done was perfect. Boccanfuso was in the lower half of the league's qualifying pitchers for walks, suggesting that the lack of experience combined with a high-innings workload exposed a lack of refined control. But given his work so far, I do not have large doubts that this cannot be corrected with just more time pitching next season. When you can pitch to multiple shutouts in a single season, there cannot be much of a fluke, can there?
A surprise of this year's rankings, Ben Boccanfuso - high on the clouds from his championship ambitions and his numerous awards - proved to everyone that he is a name to look out for in the seasons ahead. If you did not know him before, I would suggest getting to know him now. With the potential dynasty looming of the Puff Peppers franchise, this could be just the beginning of something very special.
Number 4: Joe Druin
2021 Ranking: 22
Team: Asgardians
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats: .340 AVG, 27 RBI, 49 IP, 1.73 ERA/3, 90 Ks (24 GP)
Awards: All-SNWL First Team, SNWL Metro League All-Star
If it was not for the incredible heroics of Ben Boccanfuso, I could go as far as to say that Joe Druin was the most surprising and improved player across the State in 2022. But apart from first-year players, the jump from year-to-year was no bigger for anyone else - at least by any preconceived notion - than this young man.
A player always hailed for his pitching prowess, the Asgardians ace was a different breed of pitcher over the course of the 2022 season. When he took to the flat hill, there was a sense that very few - if any - that could match not only his production, but the swagger in his craft. Having seen him twice in-person this year - once in May and again in June - never once did I not feel sorry for the batters that had to go against this fireballer. One of six pitchers to face 200 batters or more over the course of the regular season, Druin was exceptional against about every opponent he faced. With SIX complete-game shutouts, an SNWL-best 1.14 WHIP, and an emphatic 90 strikeouts, there was something for every pitching critic to like. An effective mix of pitches based in a three-quarter-to-sidearm delivery was a main proponent of his success, giving even the league's best hitters had a hard time trying to string solid contact on a basis longer than a batter or two. With the ability to limit from base runners better than anyone in the State - a rate of 6.97%, nearly HALF of the next qualifying pitcher - damage that could be done of Joe was minimal, even if you were able to get a hold of his riser or slider in the first place. An experienced veteran by this point, Joe proved what it means to be a true elite pitcher in the SoNo Wiffle Ball League, giving the top players in the league competition that was near impossible to match.
For all that Joe was good as a pitcher, he also put together a solid contribution from the other end of the at-bats. Hitting to a .340/.458/.546 line this season, Joe was an effective bat at driving in runs without the need to employ an all-out "dingers or nothing" approach. Joe finished among the SNWL's top-10 in hits (33) and runs batted in (RBI, 27), providing positive balls in-play that helped his team to generate run support at the right time. He was nothing mind-blowing from the plate, but compared to other impressive pitchers on this list I would not consider a top-10 run creator in the State as ineffective or discrediting in any way.
For someone who was not even a part of the main rankings a year ago, Joe Druin has become firmly established as one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the State. If the offense is able to reach the levels of other elite players, there could be reasons to believe that Druin could challenge 2023 to be the very best backyard player in Connecticut. That being said (as it will be discussed with the three players ahead of him this year), that job will not be easy.
Number 3: Sam Donnelly
2021 Ranking: 1
Team: Coastal Cyclones
League: Darien Wiffle Ball League (DWBL)
Notable Stats: .355 AVG, 1.363 OPS, 0.21 ERA/3*
Awards: TBD
* = Stats Incomplete
For those reading, there will NOT be a repeating top player in the State of Connecticut in 2022. In a close battle for top honors, I have decided to put the 2021 CT Player of the Year at number three. Despite not being at the top spot this year, Sam Donnelly used his time in the shortened 2022 Darien Wiffle Ball League season to prove that his mass success a season ago was no fluke. For all of the public criticism that he received following last year's announcement, he has come out and improved further than I could have imagined.
Having left his multi-year role as captain of the former Eastern Elephants, Sam traded in his captain duties for a new slew of lateral pitches in his arsenal - a slide-drop and a rising screwball. Downing himself in new team colors with the revamped Coastal Cyclones, Sam Donnelly found a way to immediately transform himself from untouchable to UNPERCEIVABLE from the flat hill. In just fourteen innings of work, Sam managed to rack up a massive 39 strikeouts and only allow TWO hits; all while not allowing a SINGLE walk. For context, Sam's strikeout rate was 8.16 per three innings pitched, a rate that had he pitched as many innings as Joe Druin, would have amassed over 130 STRIKEOUTS.
Yeah, see what I mean? The dominance was so good from Donnelly that it led a band of DWBL teams to create a petition to place new rules to curb the dominance of pitchers like him. If you are pitching so good that it LITERALLY makes your opponents question coming to the field in the first place, that alone is a symbol of honor that deserves immense respect and honor.
In terms of offensive production, there are reasons to support that 2022 was not quite the year of Sam Donnelly. In 11 games Sam slashed to a .355/.700/.839 stat line with 4 home runs and 8 runs driven in. While these numbers are excellent for the short pan that he had, it did not blow me away compared to the numbers of the previous season: .523 AVG and 22 HR, for reference. At his current pace, Sam would have fallen significantly short of the super season he had at the plate in 2021. Were these numbers halted by a shortened season? Yes. Was offense down massively across the Darien Wiffle Ball League in 2022? Yes. Could Sam have done more with the opportunities that he got? Compared to last season, it seems like Sam left some production on the table that he could not quite convert on. He did not have to hit exactly to the same level, but he needed to come a bit closer if top honors were going to be achieved in 2022.
Regardless, Sam Donnelly continues to be one of the State's best young Wiffle®Ball players. He can still do it all from both sides of the plate, even in a season where one side of his game was not quite at the godly levels seen before.
Number 2: Gordon Washburn
2021 Ranking: 10
Team: Western Warriors
League: Darien Wiffle Ball League (DWBL)
Notable Stats: .407 AVG, 7 HR, 1.764 OPS, 12 IP, 1 ER, 35 Ks (10 GP)*
Awards: TBD
* = Stats Incomplete
Alas, the former Darien MVP who was barely in the Top 10 a year ago. A player who I heavily doubted once, and now - after 2022 has come to a close - I am so disappointed in myself for making those statements in the first place. For the 3-time Darien Wiffle Ball League champion, 2022 was a season of mass importance for the youngster. When talking on the Scuffin' It Up podcast during the preseason, Gordon had made mentions of putting many hours into perfecting his game in all aspects. With an emphasis on pitching new grips and getting batting practice from the league's best, Gordon subtly made a note for me to watch his progress in 2022. Having factored it all together, I can confidently say that the hype was legitimate.
Much like the previous player on this list, Gordon's pitching performance was something from another planet this season. Even compared to his team's longtime ace Henry Imbrogno, Gordon managed to pitch about as perfectly as anyone could ask of him as a *quote* "number-two pitcher". Allowing just one run from twelve innings pitched, Gordon managed an unthinkable 0.25 ERA/3 in a season that produced shutout after shutout like it was nothing. As good as it was for Sam, Gordon truly made each pitching appearance look effortless, both in his command and his velocity. While not appearing on film to have constant use of game-changing movement like some of his elite peers, it was more than apparent this season that sick pitches are not entirely necessary to be an effective pitcher. For Gordon, putting the ball where the hitter could not reach it was priority number one. And for him, having a little pizzazz was all to make him have a historic performance toward his long DWBL career.
Okay, so Gordon was a good pitcher. So was Sam before him: why the jump then? Simply, Gordon had the offensive jump that Sam did not. With a game less played, Gordon was able to beat his rival in several major batting categories, doubling Sam's totals in home runs (HR, Gordon: 7, Sam: 4), and runs batted in (RBI, Gordon: 18, Sam: 8). Beyond power statistics, Gordon outperformed Sam's run-scoring execution with noticeable improvement in runs scored (Gordon: 16, Sam: 6), OPS (Gordon: 1.764, Sam: 1.363) and runs created (RC, Gordon: 18.5, Sam: 13.6). From watching the videos of the Western Warriors' games this season, I always felt that Gordon had a sense of poise and determination at the plate that Sam - while not having any - did not quite match compared to seasons in the past.
This whole comparison was close - VERY CLOSE even - but if I had to pick one, Gordon gets the edge as the Darien Wiffle Ball League's best player in 2022. He would be the best player in the State too if it was not for the last player, who despite whatever these two or anyone else did this season, could never quite match.
Number 1: Artie Cocchia
2021 Ranking: 2
Team: Demons
League: SoNo Wiffle Ball League (SNWL)
Notable Stats:
Awards: SNWL Most Valuable Player, SNWL Cy Young Award, All-SNWL First Team, SNWL Valley League All-Star
Ever so close in 2021, Artie Cocchia took his game to incredible heights in 2022 to climb his way to be the 2022 Connecticut Player of The Year. Playing more Wiffs than anyone else in 2022, Artie had himself an unforgettable season for his rebranded Demons team.
Much like the other players ranking towards the top, Artie was a two-way machine that excelled in the pitching department. Compared to all other pitchers in the State, Artie holds the most innings pitched (68), wins (18), complete games (CG, 17), shutouts (SHO, 9), and strikeouts (Ks, 116!!!). While his high innings count prevented him from contending for the lead in ERA, his 28 earned runs and 1.24 ERA/3 are still incredibly impressive given the insane number of innings thrown (seriously, he pitched in nearly 80% of all games he played, give him some slack). To produce the statistical sensation he provided throughout the season, the SNWL Cy Young Award winner mixed in a lethal slider and drop combo with a little showing of a knuckleball, forcing batters to respect all pitches with great command and often he blown away with the heat when it (inevitably) came. While capped with speed limit rules in his league, it is an interesting thought to think what Artie could do - how much better could he get - if he was allowed to throw as hard as he could. Had he done so, he could have been even more dominant than these stats already suggest.
From the hitting side, Artie proved to be an asset with elite hitting ability. Hitting above .380 and nearly reaching 50 hits (his 49 were a State best), Artie's aggressive tactics at the plate led him to constantly put balls in play that led to good outcomes when he could not be retired. With the ability to string hits of any length, SoNo's number-one run creator was as large part of the Demon's success offensively as he was defensively. There were better singly-offensive players in the State and his own league, but combined with his pitching prowess it is hard to argue against the production he accumulated throughout the season.
A workhorse unlike any player I have ever seen, Artie has deservedly and decisively put together a season well-deserving of being the top-ranked player in Connecticut backyard Wiffle®Ball for 2022. Continuing from a successful 2021 campaign, there is little doubt that a healthy Artie Cocchia will contend for top honors again in 2023 and beyond, and help continue to be a crown jewel of South Norwalk Wiffle®Ball's elite.
***
Well, there you have it: the 2022 CT Wiffs Review Top 25 players. Having to review over 180 players this year made this the most comprehensive rankings yet, and I cannot wait to shortly receive DMs on Instagram concerning how BS these rankings are. If you did not like a player's spot this year, just remember: 2023 is on the horizon. If the transition from 2021 to 2022 was any indication, there will be many players moving on these rankings over the next season, and I cannot what that entails for the future of this game and sport.
