- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 426,348
- Reaction score
- 43
Looking ahead would be easy for Andrew Costello.
He’s already secured a baseball scholarship to Wake Forest University. He’s already regarded among the top high school prospects in Pennsylvania.
At this point, there’s not much more Costello can do to boost his baseball prospectus. Two high school seasons at Cathedral Prep, however, separate the Fairview native from whatever comes next.
He is determined not to waste them.
Five games in Arizona saw Costello, a .503 career varsity hitter, start 9-for-16 at the plate in 2025. ‘Spring training’ also saw him stray from his usual catcher position.
What’s new with Costello and his Rambler teammates? How does the junior star plan to utilize his remaining time at Prep?
Forget measuring in years. Costello plans each day with one goal: Improve.
Players to watch: Diamond watch: 71 District 10 high school baseball players to keep an eye on in 2025
Top performers: Erie Times-News begins weekly list of top performers for District 10's spring sports
Prep finished 3-2 in five games played April 3-5 in Arizona. Costello returned east with a home run and .562 batting average.
This isn’t the same body which hit .573 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs as a sophomore.
He’s bigger. Leaner. Visibly more fit than the stocky underclassman who wore a Prep uniform the past two seasons.
“Everyone has so much potential, and you just have to try to fulfill that by getting in the gym, hitting, staying the extra hours and doing the extra work,” Costello said at Tuesday’s team practice. “I’m hungry and want to be the best I can be.”
Perhaps he could have abandoned this strategy after verbally committing to Wake on Nov. 22, 2022 — three months before his first varsity at-bat. But that’s not how Costello operates.
“You can tell right away watching him that he’s different,” Prep coach Frank Lauria said. “But the behind the scenes stuff this year has been as, if not more valuable, than his playing ability.”
Prep aims to replace many of the athletes who powered its 41-6 combined record the last two seasons. Five seniors graduated from last year’s D-10 championship squad and Jason Fultz, Jr. — a Clemson University commit — moved away for his senior season.
New leaders were needed. Enter Costello — a catcher by trade, he started three games at shortstop in Arizona and didn’t rule out other positions when asked.
“We were in Arizona running low on pitching and (Costello) volunteers to throw the last inning,” Lauria said. “If the team needs something, he rushes to do it for us. He’s invaluable in that regard.”
Andrew Costello’s older brother, Luke, plays infield at Wake Forest. As of Tuesday, the true freshman held a .375 batting average with a home run and six RBIs in 32 at-bats for the 23-10 Demon Deacons.
Luke Costello was recruited as a third baseman and pitcher. Andrew Costello, previously named the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania’s Class of 2026 by Prep Baseball Report, projects as a catcher.
But that’s not what Cathedral Prep needs for 2025.
“I think I project as a catcher, but I’m just doing anything I can to help the team win,” Andrew Costello said. “If that’s shortstop, if that’s center field, second base, first base, pitching… We’re very gritty. We’re going to fight until the last pitch and I’m excited to show what we can do.”
District 10 hub: Get District 10 baseball, softball scores, other high school spring sports results here
Can Prep win a 10th consecutive D-10 title and 25th all-time? Even without all those who departed?
Lauria provided optimism.
“The cupboard is not completely bare. We still have talent,” the first-year skipper said. “We had kids nipping at others’ heels in previous years looking for playing time and it’s their turn now.”
Lauria expects a tough and determined group. It features experienced players such as Davin Friedman, Mathius Sprickman and Jacob Koshan, plus a wave of new faces who learned from some of the best.
It also features Andrew Costello. That’s reason for optimism around any clubhouse.
“I know what me and my boys did in the offseason,” Costello said. “Grinding, trying to get closer as a team and gelling. I’m really confident for this season so I’m excited.”
Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cathedral Prep baseball standout, Wake Forest commit Andrew Costello seeks daily improvement
Continue reading...
He’s already secured a baseball scholarship to Wake Forest University. He’s already regarded among the top high school prospects in Pennsylvania.
At this point, there’s not much more Costello can do to boost his baseball prospectus. Two high school seasons at Cathedral Prep, however, separate the Fairview native from whatever comes next.
He is determined not to waste them.
Five games in Arizona saw Costello, a .503 career varsity hitter, start 9-for-16 at the plate in 2025. ‘Spring training’ also saw him stray from his usual catcher position.
What’s new with Costello and his Rambler teammates? How does the junior star plan to utilize his remaining time at Prep?
Forget measuring in years. Costello plans each day with one goal: Improve.
Players to watch: Diamond watch: 71 District 10 high school baseball players to keep an eye on in 2025
Top performers: Erie Times-News begins weekly list of top performers for District 10's spring sports
Hot start
Prep finished 3-2 in five games played April 3-5 in Arizona. Costello returned east with a home run and .562 batting average.
This isn’t the same body which hit .573 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs as a sophomore.
He’s bigger. Leaner. Visibly more fit than the stocky underclassman who wore a Prep uniform the past two seasons.
“Everyone has so much potential, and you just have to try to fulfill that by getting in the gym, hitting, staying the extra hours and doing the extra work,” Costello said at Tuesday’s team practice. “I’m hungry and want to be the best I can be.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Perhaps he could have abandoned this strategy after verbally committing to Wake on Nov. 22, 2022 — three months before his first varsity at-bat. But that’s not how Costello operates.
“You can tell right away watching him that he’s different,” Prep coach Frank Lauria said. “But the behind the scenes stuff this year has been as, if not more valuable, than his playing ability.”
More than a prospect
Prep aims to replace many of the athletes who powered its 41-6 combined record the last two seasons. Five seniors graduated from last year’s D-10 championship squad and Jason Fultz, Jr. — a Clemson University commit — moved away for his senior season.
New leaders were needed. Enter Costello — a catcher by trade, he started three games at shortstop in Arizona and didn’t rule out other positions when asked.
“We were in Arizona running low on pitching and (Costello) volunteers to throw the last inning,” Lauria said. “If the team needs something, he rushes to do it for us. He’s invaluable in that regard.”
Andrew Costello’s older brother, Luke, plays infield at Wake Forest. As of Tuesday, the true freshman held a .375 batting average with a home run and six RBIs in 32 at-bats for the 23-10 Demon Deacons.
Luke Costello was recruited as a third baseman and pitcher. Andrew Costello, previously named the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania’s Class of 2026 by Prep Baseball Report, projects as a catcher.
But that’s not what Cathedral Prep needs for 2025.
“I think I project as a catcher, but I’m just doing anything I can to help the team win,” Andrew Costello said. “If that’s shortstop, if that’s center field, second base, first base, pitching… We’re very gritty. We’re going to fight until the last pitch and I’m excited to show what we can do.”
District 10 hub: Get District 10 baseball, softball scores, other high school spring sports results here
New-look Ramblers
Can Prep win a 10th consecutive D-10 title and 25th all-time? Even without all those who departed?
Lauria provided optimism.
“The cupboard is not completely bare. We still have talent,” the first-year skipper said. “We had kids nipping at others’ heels in previous years looking for playing time and it’s their turn now.”
Lauria expects a tough and determined group. It features experienced players such as Davin Friedman, Mathius Sprickman and Jacob Koshan, plus a wave of new faces who learned from some of the best.
It also features Andrew Costello. That’s reason for optimism around any clubhouse.
“I know what me and my boys did in the offseason,” Costello said. “Grinding, trying to get closer as a team and gelling. I’m really confident for this season so I’m excited.”
Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cathedral Prep baseball standout, Wake Forest commit Andrew Costello seeks daily improvement
Continue reading...
