Cleveland's Anthony Del Angel named NM Gatorade Player of the Year

RIO RANCHO — Cleveland High School’s Anthony Del Angel was recently named the Metro baseball player of the year by the Albuquerque Journal.

Now, he has another accolade to add to his resume.

On June 3, Del Angel was named the New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year in baseball.

“I was excited for him; it was well deserved. He’s a very hard worker,” Cleveland baseball head coach Shane Shallenberger said. “On top of being a great baseball player, he’s a great person and comes from a great family.”

Del Angel, also the reigning District 1-5A Player of the Year, hit .534 with 2 RBIs, 17 extra-base hits, and seven home runs. He was also 13-for-13 on stolen base attempts and is a top-20 recruit in the 2026 Class.

“Checks off all the boxes as far as skill set: runs well, throws well, he’s a grinder, and he’ll take an extra base if they allow him. Baseball IQ is off the charts,” Shallenberger said.

The 6-foot, 4-inch junior, a utility player, was instrumental for the Storm, helping them get to the 5A quarterfinals and a 20-10 season.

Del Angel, who committed to play at Oklahoma, is the second Storm baseball player to win a GPOY award. Storm alumni Blake Swihart won for the 2010-11 season. Swihart, an MLB veteran, was a World Series champion while playing for the Boston Red Sox.