2014 Top Prospect Games participant and Bishop O’Connell High School infielder Patrick Ryan has verbally committed to attend the College of William and Mary in the fall of 2016. Ryan is the first current O’Connell player that is bound for Division I. He was joined at the Top Prospect Games by teammate Rafi Vazquez (RHP/1B, 2016). The Knights are coming off of an up and down 2014 season that saw them put things together towards the end of the season and streak deep into the WCAC playoffs, where they lost the Championship Series to St. John’s. The Knights will look to build off of that playoff experience this year in the very talented WCAC.

Ryan is a 6-1, 170-pound, shortstop with an athletic frame. He hits from a slightly wider stance. He sets up with high hands and raps his bat a bit during his smooth load. He casts his hands a bit but he generates backspin and has decent leverage in his swing. Ryan had an exit velocity of 82 mph off of a tee at the Prospect Games. In the field, Ryan has soft hands and good footwork. He is quick with the exchange and has an average arm that hit 79 across the diamond.

When he arrives at William and Mary, Ryan figures to be able to contribute to the Tribe immediately as a good defensive infielder, as his glove and athleticism will allow him to be able to handle both middle spots and third base quite well. As he develops over his career, Ryan figures to be a very good defender up the middle who will be a high contact, high average hitter that uses the whole field to his advantage.

Congratulations Patrick!