Another former WPIAL baseball star has signed with the Washington Wild Things for the 2021 baseball season.

On Tuesday, the Washington Wild Things announced the signing of former Central Catholic catcher Dom DeRenzo, who played one game for the Wild Things in 2019 and then played for the newly created Slammin Sammies during pod play this summer at Wild Things Park.

After hitting .293 with six home runs and 13 RBIs this summer, Wild Things President and General Manager Tony Buccilli thought DeRenzo proved he has the ability to contribute to the team next season.

“We saw meaningful development in Dom’s first full professional season and he certainly has the tools to have a role in our 2021 campaign,” Buccilli said. “There is work to clean up some defensive traits, but we believe his dedication to the craft will allow him to become a more polished two-way backstop.”

DeRenzo is the second former WPIAL star to sign with the Wild Things for the 2021 season. Earlier this month, former Blackhawk infielder Joe Campagna signed with the Wild Things after an impressive summer with the Sammies as well. Now he’s ready to continue his professional baseball career with the Wild Things.

“It’s the opportunity to play professional baseball and the front office, Tony (Buccilli), the team, and everyone who works there make it a great family environment to play in,” DeRenzo said about the opportunity. “I have enjoyed the new friendships and new relationships with teammates as I continue my career and challenge myself to be better every day.”

As a senior at Central Catholic in 2015, DeRenzo helped the Vikings capture their first WPIAL Class 4A title with a 2-0 over Norwin at CONSOL Energy Park, now Wild Things Park. DeRenzo doubled in the championship game to cap off a season where the Vikings went 12-8 overall and recorded an 8-2 conference record.

After high school, DeRenzo was selected by the Cubs in the 40th round of the 2015 MLB draft but elected to continue his baseball career at Oklahoma, where he played three seasons. He put together his best season during his freshman year when he started 33 games, hit .243 and drove in 24 runs with eight home runs and a .592 slugging percentage. He was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball News.

He went on to finish his collegiate career at Mercyhurst where he hit 10 home runs, drove in 38 runs and tallied a .486 slugging percentage.

With his collegiate career behind him, DeRenzo is ready to help the Wild Things do whatever he can to win.

“I’m ready to help the team bring wins to the organization by challenging and encouraging my teammates,” DeRenzo said.

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