'08 ESG team is picked
-
- June
- 26
Steve Greller of Dutchess CC (formerly of Lourdes) is back as the head coach of Hudson Valley, which ripped through round-robin play unbeaten last year before falling to Long Island in the gold-medal game. Three players return from that team, but Greller and his staff picked some of the best players in the area to fill pretty large shoes.
The stats: four Mamaroneck players and three John Jay players lead the team; there are nine Westchester guys, two Putnam guys, three Dutchess guys, one Rockland guy, one Orange guy, one Ulster guy and one Sullivan guy.
Here’s the team that will go for gold:
RETURNEES
Sean Hagan, Sr., Mamaroneck — The ace of the reigning Class AA state champs returns after earning a victory in his only start at the ESG’s last year. He wants the ball in the gold medal game, and may play some at 1B.
Matt McGovern, Sr., Mamaroneck — The speedy lefty will return to the outfield. He started in RF and LF last year and batted atop the order. I’d expect the same this year, including a possible shift to CF.
Tim Panetta, Sr., Fox Lane — The only other returnee had an excellent Games last year. He’s a certain D-I prospect.
NEWCOMERS
Robbie Aviles, Jr., Suffern — The 6-foot-4 righty is one of the youngest players on the team but he was the hardest thrower at tryouts. Expect him to get the ball for a big game.
Andrew Benkwitt, Sr., Mamaroneck — The staff was impressed with the rubber-armed righty, who can hit spots and pitch on back-to-back days with relative ease. He may come out of the bullpen because of his durability.
Nick Camastro, Sr., Arlington — The Admirals’ SS will play somewhere in the middle infield, and will, along with a couple other guys, face the task of replacing two-year cog Joe Panik.
Joe Connolly, Sr., Saugerties — The 6-foot-2 lefty can hit, pitch and play both 1B and OF. He’s the type of versatile player that works well at the jam-packed ESG’s.
Anthony Corona, Sr., Kennedy — The hard-hitting catcher from the Class B state champs will get his chances with Panetta. Both catchers always play at the ESG’s, again because of the schedule.
Kevin Fergerson, Sr., St. Joe’s Regional (Suffern) — I’ve never heard of this guy, but I can tell you one great stat: As a lefty he lost two games all year, both of them to unbeaten 33-0 Don Bosco. Not bad for a guy who can hit, run and play the outfield.
Zack Graczyk, Sr., Carmel — After a big junior year, the CF/P is another versatile type who can pitch, hit and play the outfield.
Stephen Green, Jr., John Jay — The talented lefty is 100 percent healthy after not pitching for several weeks for John Jay, which made the Class AA semifinals without Green pitching an inning. He’s another hard-thrower who should get the ball to start a game.
Anthony Iacomini, Sr., John Jay — The 2B/SS will be another guy pegged to replace the production of Panik. He is a plus-hitter for a middle infielder who is one of the fastest players on the team.
Robert Kirsch, Sr., Liberty — The very rare Sullivan County player can pitch and play catcher and the corner infield spots.
Pete Ladis, Sr., Iona Prep — Ladis is a right-handed control guy who pitched well for the Gaels. He’s also a solid hitter who batted in the middle of the order.
John Mackey, John Jay-East Fishkill — A third baseman with a plus arm and plus power from the League I-C champs.
Mike Orefice, Sr., Ketcham — One of the resident mashers of this year’s club, replacing the trio of Alex Maruri, Steve Proscia and Dave Ciocchi. That middle of the order was terrific last year, so Orefice and a few others will be asked to replace what was a real strong point in ‘07.
Mike Rosenfeld, Jr., Mamaroneck — The versatile Rosenfeld will likely play outfield. Yet again, he wowed coaches with his remarkable ability to hit hard for someone his size.
John Swertfager, outgoing Sr., John Jay — The lefty impressed the coaches with his control on the mound and versatility in the field (can pitch, play 1B and OF). He’s headed to Trinity Pawling next year, but is young enough to be eligible for the Games because of the new rules.
(Note: Joe Panik was also eligible to play, but everyone involved decided it wasn’t best for all.)
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on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 11:24 pm by Josh Thomson.
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Josh Thomson has done some of everything since joining The Journal News in
March 2003. He began working for the Gannett weeklies during the winter of
2002 as a freelance writer. He joined the daily staff soon after and has
since covered various high school and pro sports. Away from sportswriting,
Josh lives in Westchester and spends his free time either with his
fiancee, Sarah, or expertly managing his various championship-winning
fantasy sports teams. He's visited 21 major-league baseball stadiums and
insists that Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are the best by far. Josh
graduated from Carmel High School in 1998, then went to Boston University,
where, in 2002, he received a degree in communications with a minor in
history. 
Jake Thomases has covered baseball, hockey, girls basketball, and girls soccer for the Journal News since arriving in 2003. He previously interned at The Poughkeepsie Journal while attending Vassar College. He is socking money away under his mattress to buy the Knicks, at which time he will trade Jerome James to Cleveland for a ham sandwich.
Six players named from the Taconic Rangers 18U.
Taconic is a legit summer program and kudos to their coaches for not "BLOCKING" players from tryouts- or the games….Some of the money makers out their want the feather in their cap to say that they got so and so into a college and they end up HURTING the kids possibilities….
Very fair team at best. The tryouts were lousy with not alot of players attending. Greller did the best with what showed up. The Connelly kid is a stud and what a hitter.
Facts, Taconic is loaded and showed very well in their first event last weekend. Should be a good summer.
Observer, what are you talking about? Taconic lost all 3 pool play games in the Perfect Game Tournament out at Baseball Heaven last weekend.
Sorry your kid didn't make it.
Why is it that they have such a hard time getting kids to go to the tryout and play for this team? We give all our kids the info before they leave school. Then this past week the ESG coaches are calling kids and asking them to please come to the tryout even adding an extra tryout date. That doesn't serve the HV real well.
The other excuse about the summer teams resricting the players doesn't work either. I only know of 2, Bayside and 1 Legion team. I don't send players to either of them.
Anyone have any answers or opinions?
Don't have a poney in the race, Just went to a few workouts and know some players who made it. Congratulations to them all and represent the region well.
As far as this past weekend: Get over the wins and loses. It's just now a matter of how well the team show's. These events are loaded with teams with returning college players. You can't win so do your best to play well.
I think they got the team right. They got the top pitchers, catchers,fielders and hitters. It tells you something about the kid if he dosen't want to do it. All the top travel teams in the area are representd (Taconic, NY Nine, Bayside etc.)Baseball in the ESG games is one of the most highly scouted (college and pros)tournaments in the northeast.
Taconic Rangers?
Please dont compare the taconic Rangers to The Bayside Yankees or The NY Nine. Bayside and The Nine are the pre-eminent programs for 17U and 18U Baseball.
Rangers, Clippers etc. are an extension of daddy ball…
Sounds like an awesome team. Frank Lopez from Dobbs Ferry made it all the way to the last cut. Hes a big righty who is going to be a junior. He is an extremely powerful hitter and throws low 80's. You will hear big things from him next year. Good luck to the team, sounds like an all star squad!
The Battle at the Border kicked off yesterday in Port Chester with some great talent represented. If you get a chance most of the top players in the area will be there competing.Come on out and see all three NY Nine Teams both World yacht clipper teams and eight other talented teams.Here is the link with the schedule http://portchester.baberuthnetwork.com/te mplate/classic.php?league_id=13&division_id=4122&style=nym
http://portchester.baberuthnetwork.com/template/classic.php?league_id=13&division_id=4122&style=nym
HOW DID STEVE GREENE MAKE THE TEAM HES A LINEMAN FOR THE BREWSTER BEARS FOOTBALL TEAM. WHAT HAS THIS WORLD COME TO.
MAYBE THEIR TALKING ABOUT STEVE GREEN FROM JOHN JAY BUT HES TERRIBLE AT BASEBALL AND HAS THE ATHLETICISM OF A BLIND NUN
Flat out not half as good as last years team
Sorry your kid and Observer's kid didn't make it.
The coaches were thrilled w/ tryouts. The only player they wanted and could not get on the team was the pitcher from Eastchester.
No doubt, it will be difficult to out-do the Panik-Ciocchi led offense of last years' games, but the coaches feel that the overall defense, speed, and depth of pitching may be better than last year…especially now that the games are played with wood bats.
My son played last year and here are my thoughts. First, the JJCR catcher is an absolute stud. Don't know if he tried out. The two they picked are very good but they are mini mights. Second, why take a kid who graduated and led the section in walks last year. There were several much better pitchers available who are incoming seniors. I like the pitching overall but the hitting is not there. Especially if they are using wood bats. No Maurari, no Procsia, no Ciocci who is gonna supply the pop?
Hey D-1
The game is much different with wood and MUST now focus on pitching and Defense…Bunting, hit and run and honestly you DONT need mashers…there are more than capable kids on the team…The game will settle in from a showcase to a small ball game…watch and see.. as for the 2 catchers they play D and hit very well…many colleges are already looking at BOTH of them….just some thoughts back to you…every year its a different team and you mold from who tried out which looked weak this year due to the summer coaches who chose to block their kids!
The Taconic Rangers are a slightly above average team in the WBA.
However, the WBA league is a total joke, with the worst umpires on earth and totally disorganized and not a lot of good competition. Not to mention Taconic has been knows to use older kids to play in the 16U games. I concur, please do not put Taconic and the Bayside Yankees in the same sentence.
The second JJ pitcher they took is a joke. That kid is not a pitcher. Led the section in walks and choked against the two decent teams (Mahopac& Somers) that he pitched against this year. There were plenty of better pitchers who were going into 12th grade. And outfield? I know the kid and he never played outfield. Somebody knew someone. Smells like Fletcher. God bless him if he could get that kid on the team.
You keep humping this Battle of the Border Tournament here yet the site is not even updated. Get real.
Hey "What" the TR !8U team or any of the players from that team that made ESG do not play in WBA….That is the 16U team. Know before you blog…
Also to "Jay" sorry your kid got cut..
For the record the Taconic Rangers 16u plays in the MET league with the Bayside Yankees and the NY Nine…...The Rangers have swept the NY Nine in a DH and beaten the Bayside Yankees already in the 1st league game….The 16u Taconic Rangers pick up games with WBA teams when scheduling permits….The 16u Taconic Rangers are 2-0 in the Staten Island Blue Chip Prospects tournament this weekend, making their overall season record to date 9 wins 0 losses….The Bayside Yankees Junior Americans and Junior National teams are both in different pools at this weekends Blue Chip Prospects tournament….They are combined 0-4 heading into today's games….
Bluechipprospects.com
My son graduated and has moved on hemroid. Why don't you? It's time to let go of HS.
"Jay" ..Your the one who won't let go…if your son already graduated then why are you commenting and trashing other kids in a stupid blog. Didn't your Mommy ever teach you "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
Looks like there are a lot of 13, 14 and 15 year old teams in that tourn. Good teams play up not down.
learn to read dude.the blue chip tourmaet has 32 teams in 8 4 team pools in the 16u.thats where the rangers are playing,
there are other divisions for 15u and 14u and 13u
blue chips has the best teams from new jersey nad long island
Hey Jay
Did you ever think to realize that 1- your ripping an 18year old amateur kid and 2-maybe the kids is reading your comments…he obviously had a good tryout to make it…
Most of the kids are offered spots before and in some cases without a tryout. For example I heard that Green didn't try out. How could he if he is hurt and can't pitch for the Rangers yet? Although I do believe he deserves it. Not sure about the other kid from what I saw in games and in the tryout so please don't talk about the "tryout".
Green tryed out at John Jay East Fishill…i was there on the hill watching …and the kid threw strikes and hit…dont you have good and bad days at work? Somedays people are on and some are off…So please dont listen to rumors…
Why can't these so-called elite baseball clubs get someone to update statistics on a regular basis…..When you go to the Bayside Yankees, Taconic Rangers, NY Nine sites you learn very little…Can't even get a team record, never mind updated team stats…...When you charge that kind of money, pay somebody with half a brain to get the stats into the system after every game…18u,16u,14u stats should be on line before you call yourself "elite"....Just my opinion.
It just doesn't make sense to pick a kid who graduated when there are so many better pitchers who will be seniors. Last year it was the 19 year old 2nd baseman.
To stat man…
Posted stats are for egotistical parents and players only…not for scouts, college coaches, and confident baseball players…
Regardless of a players' stats, the scouts and coaches watch how a player plays the game…warm-up, hustle, skill level, and projectability.
The elite organizations know that posted stats break up teams. They will keep stats for private use not for egos.
The Bayside Yankees is the most historic amateur program period. Take a look at how many kids have received scholarships, got drafted, etc. Statman look at that portion of the site, that is what matters. And to the Taconic 16U who cares about a comparison THIS year. It is an overall analysis of the programs that matters. Taconic can be better one year, but overall the programs are not even close. I was a rockland kid who played on Bayside. The exposure was amazing and the competition was unmatched.
All that is true, but if you choose to put up the stats as the Bayside Yankees do, then at least keep them current….The Taconic Rangers show stats for the 16u and NY Nine have out dated stats for this season in at least the 18u and 17u….Stats do not tell all the story but they do say something….As far as "premier" programs go, there is no disputing that the BY have been around and established…..But do not discredit the fact that the Taconic Rangers can compete, although they are comprised of only Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess kids for the most part…There is no longer the need for Westchester kids to run to a Queens based organization to play on a competitive team, when there is one right in their backyard..
We rocked that other JJ pitcher. When he wasn't walking us. When did he ever play the outfield?
Where is Brendan Hourihan from Lakeland he had one of the most dominant offensive performances in section 1 history this year + don't forget he also could pitch very well. He should of been one of the first one's picked for this team. Dan Sorine from Eastchester would also have been a good addition to the team.
You want this team to be taken seriously and have THE BEST players in the area on it? Get rid of the poor excuse of a coach in Greller. He know's nothing. Didn't he get fired from Lourdes by the way because he couldn't control his players??? Yeah, I think so!!!
Fan mail did your son get cut?
Sory Observer but fan mail is 100% correct. Your stupidity with teh did your son get cut is now officially overused. The Empire State Team under Steve Greller "Never use the word coach when speaking of him" has never been the best players from the HV area. He is a Dutchess guy and picks kids from that area that have no business being on the team. The kid from Ketcham wasn't even one of the top 4 players on his team and the 1B from JJCR, please…The only kids from JJCR that should have made the team are Yacc and Filaro. The only kids from Kennedy who should have made it, didn't tryout. The Kid from Iona doesn't belong. The kids playing legion in Shrub Oak are a better team then this mess. The catcher from Lakeland is better then both who made it as is Filaro.
Greller has No business coaching this team, Zero, Nada, nilche
Guess your pitiful kid got cut too.
A- I'm laughing too that's why it's funny.
Where can you see the stats of the ESG team?
HEY FUNNY GUY…THE KIDS FROM SHRUB OAK LEGION WHERE BLOCKED FROM TRYING OUT BY THE COACH…and you know the saying dont you? "There's no crying in baseball"..
I've seen this team scrimage and can tell you that there isnt one kid that doesn't belong. There were a couple of kids cut that were superior players that suffered with inferior attitudes. Much like anyone irresponsible enough to call out players that may or may not belong. It is okay to criticize the selection process, and even the politics if any exist. But to call out players on or off the team that may belong or not is dispicable, and wreaks of sour grapes. There are plenty of avenues for talented players to be recognized in. These games are not just about the best players, but the best players that best represent the region.