ESG breakdown: '07 vs. '08
-
- June
- 29
Many of you have debated how the 2008 Hudson Valley club compares to last year’s silver-medalist, a team that nearly ripped through the tournament unbeaten before it ran out of pitching in the gold-medal game vs. Long Island. The ‘07 club was perhaps the best Hudson Valley has ever produced. Sure it didn’t win gold, but check out the numbers: It outscored opponents 72-13, or by an average score of 12-2. Wow.
It is an interesting topic for sure. I’m going to do a breakdown in a second, but I think there are a few truths you must consider:
1) This is now a wood bat tournament. As we saw this season with the CHSAA, it’s a different game with wood bats. The teams with deep pitching staffs, good defense and speed are better prepared to win ballgames.
2) Not every year is made equal. Last year’s middle of the order of Joe Panik, Alex Maruri, Steve Proscia and Dave Ciocchi was a rarity. Many of you have stressed that the middle of the order will be much weaker this year. Well, tell me the last time this area produced position players who went to St. John’s, Elon and Virginia in the same year? Those are all probably, what, Top 50 or Top 75 D-I programs?
3) The pitching is better. I’ll get to this in a bit, but the pitching should be deeper despite allowing just 2.17 runs per game last year. If I’d asked you to name the top three returning Section 1 pitchers in 2009, who among Sean Hagan, Robbie Aviles and Steve Green wouldn’t belong? They are probably the three most talented guys in the section. Agreed?
With all that to consider, here’s the breakdown…
PITCHING — Last year’s club was led by Alex Adami (Binghamton), C.J. Riefenhauser (Iona), Sean Hagan (St. John’s, right), with Josh Herzenberg (Oneonta), Mike Volpe (undecided), Chris O’Grady (George Mason), Donny Pitasi (not sure) and Jeff Freyhagen (Clarkson) rounding out the staff. That staff allowed just 19 runs in six games (3.16 runs/game), but only seven runs in the five round-robin games. Quite frankly, the staff ran out of steam in the gold-medal game, running Riefenhauser and Freyhagen out there on very short rest.
Now, this year’s club will be hard-pressed to match that performance. But I’m not sure the HV staff doesn’t have many of the best available guys. They return Hagan, the ace of the state champions, who has improved since last summer. They also have Robbie Aviles (undecided, but has major D-I potential), Steve Green (same), Andrew Benkwitt (undefeated on state champs), Kevin Fergerson, Joe Connolly, Robert Kirsch, John Swertfager, Zack Graczyk, and Pete Ladis. Swertfager, Graczyk and Ladis, I assume, will be used as utility players who can fill multiple roles. They can pitch, but they can also hit and play the field. Obviously, Aviles, Green and Hagan will earn three of the six starts, and it sounds like Fergerson will earn another. He, along with Connolly and Kirsch, are the X-factors, but everything I hear about them is positive, especially Fergerson. Remember, he lost just two games this year in the brutal catholic league in North Jersey, and both of those losses came against Don Bosco. That gives this year’s club four top-flight starters to go along with much more staff depth (10 pitchers as opposed to eight).
Pitching edge: 2008
CATCHERS — Last year there was a platoon behind the plate between Tim Panetta and Kyle Kalaka, who both hit very well. They were a combined 16 for 35, good for a .457 average. Both obviously did fairly well behind the plate considering the success of the pitching staff.
That said, this year’s team returns Panetta (left), who, alone, batted .529, scored seven runs and had six RBI last year, and replaces Kalaka with Anthony Corona, who had a terrific year for Kennedy, the Class B state champs. Panetta can clearly handle the competition, but Corona, even when he doesn’t catch, should give Steve Greller another bat at DH. Greller may use the two catchers in almost every game, just like he did last year with Panetta and Kalaka, who would DH one game and catch the other.
Even though many of you don’t love the lineup, both Panetta and Corona are good enough to hit at the middle of the order.
Catching edge: 2008 (although only slightly)
INFIELD — Last year’s squad had a formidable infield, with 1B Alex Maruri, 2B Yonathan Rodriguez, SS Joe Panik and 3B Steve Proscia. They absolutely killed the ball for three straight days and played excellent defense. They committed just four errors in six games among them, and batted .361 with 32 runs scored (more than five/game) and 21 RBI. Maruri and Proscia each hit a couple homers as well, which means the average doesn’t exactly indicate that what they did do was earn huge hits.
This year’s squad must replace the two-year double play combo of Panik and Y-Rod, who were very slick in the field and hit No. 2 and 3 in the order for most of the Games. Their replacements are Nick Camastro of Arlington, who I know very little about, and Anthony Iacomini of John Jay, who, next to Brendan Hourihan of Lakeland, probably had the best numbers in Section 1 this season. Neither of those players is as decorated or experienced as Panik (Section 1’s all-time hit leader), but they could combine to hit as well combined as Panik and Y-Rod, the latter of who was an excellent second baseman but more of a situation hitter.
The question comes on the corners. Mike Orefice will probably man 1B in place of Maruri, and John Mackey and Robert Kirsch will likely see time at 3B. They are all very good players but will have to be red-hot to match the production of Maruri and Proscia, two of the best position players produced in this area the last few years.
Infield edge: 2007
OUTFIELD —
The ‘07 squad had Matt McGovern (who is back), Joe Pedavellano (who is headed to Duke, and, coincidentally, whose name I spell different in every post), and Dave Ciocchi (a masher headed to Binghamton). McGovern seemed to be on base every at-bat. Pedavellano played a terrific center, and Ciocchi was among the best hitters on the club. He homered in the opening win against Long Island, and batted .500 with eight RBI in six games. That’s a bat HV will miss dearly.
As for this year, a bigger, stronger and more experienced McGovern should be an upgrade over himself. He can definitely play CF. Mike Rosenfeld, the hard-hitting sophomore who had 58 RBI for Mamaroneck, will be asked to match some of the mashing of Ciocchi. He has the ability, it’s just a question of what kind of tournament he has. Then there’s the other spot, which can likely go to Graczyk, Connolly or Kirsch. Graczyk is certainly capable, and could also slide in at CF.
Outfield edge: Push
INTANGIBLES — The 2007 squad played at home, which is a huge factor. However, this year’s club has better depth, especially in the pitching staff.
I like the depth, but it can’t overcome the momentum gained by having so many Westchester guys come out for the first time in the same year Westchester hosted its first ESGs.
Edge: 2007
As you can see, it’s about even. The batteries should be even better this year, but the team will have fewer 10-plus-run performances. They are better built for small-ball, so it’s all about those starters. If Hudson Valley wins gold in Binghamton it’ll be because the likes of Hagan, Aviles, Green, Fergerson and Benkwitt leads it there.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, June 29th, 2008 at 1:28 pm by Josh Thomson.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Share and Enjoy: 
| 
Print
| 
Email
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.
Dont get me wrong this team is very talented, but how many of these kids used wood bats the whole year? not many I would say 1 and that kid is from Iona who is mainly going to pitch for this team. They need alot more kids who had success in the chsaa who are already used to the wood bats because believe me its a totally different game.
When does the All Westchester Team come out?
The Taconic Rangers play a majority of their tournaments with wood and their is 6 players on the team from taconic
Josh I wanted you to make an edit… you were talking about panic maruri and proscia going to top 75 schools I looked it up and St. John's finished at #29 Elon Finished at #27 and Virginia finished at #24 so the 3 4 and 5 hitters of last years team are going to Top 30 schools…that is something that I think this area has never seen, and that is truly flat out impressive!
Observer who cares about the Taconic Rangers they might have 1 or 2 good kids on that team but overall they're not that good and so what if they play tournaments with wood bats its a whole season that matters, so i agree with the missing link. And i was at the last Taconic Ranger Tournament and they played terrible and by the way it was (aluminum bat)
r u talking about the 16u team? The 18u team has way more than '1 or 2 good kids'.
he can't be talking about the taconic rangers 16u….that team is very good….they haven't lost a game yet so how could they have played "terrible" against any team…......someone told me that the tac 16u could beat the tac 18u though
I can't believe that CF from JJ didn't make it. He had an amazing tryout and season. By far one of the fastest kids in Section 1.
I totally agree "Section 1". The kid, Maggi is a flat out game changing athlete. Would have been the best all around athlete on the team. Plays a couple of positions in football as well. All skilled/speed positions. For the most part this team was picked before the tryouts and the TR clearly have an in. It would be nice if the HV could cut the political crap and just put the best kids out there and take our best shot. There are a few questionable players on this years team but overall its a decent team. That kid is clearly one they could have used. Particulary with wood bat and the need for speed. This is the kid who stole home in sectionals with two outs to win the game. What else should a kid have to do?
This year it's a different game. Wood bats will turn some of the crushers into easy outs. With the very deep pitching this team has you have to like it better than last years.
The Rangers, They played with metal last week and could not muster any offense. Imagine with wood? I checked the website for the scores. The NY Nine are the best. No one can touch them. We should wipe up everyone in S Troy this week and head to the World Series.
Having played with ray, he goes 110% all game, never lets up. i can only imagine he would have been doing that during the tournament…its too bad, this could have been a big break for a kid who is often overlooked
Josh,
Realize this is off subject but why was there zero coverage of this past weekends "Battle at the Border" tournament in Portchester ?
Where is the catcher from John Jay on this? He is by far a better athlete and catcher than Corona. Both catchers in the linup now don't have the pop time this kid does. Especially when Corona recently sprained his ankle…theres no way this kid should not be in the lineup.
Where is the catcher from John Jay on this? He is by far a better athlete and catcher than Corona. Both catchers in the linup now don't have the pop time this kid does. Especially when Corona recently sprained his ankle…theres no way this kid should not be in the lineup.
Did that player even tryout???
Yes, I know for a fact "To HV" he did tryout. I believe he is on the alternate list. I agree with "HV" though, I would have put Filauro in over Corona anyday. He has an unreal pop time.
Again, one guy was on it last year and the other has the TR connection. They are both good catchers but neither as good as Filauro. Let's see what the college coaches think/do. The best players in the section are just not all on this team. There are better pitchers than they took and the CF from Jay as well.
I think it would have been hard for the ESG coaches to take 5 kids from JJCR…There are great players on that team, but unfortunately because of the extremely weak schedule they played the ESG coaches were probably looking for players that played against the toughest competition all year long. Although Kennedy played in a B league, they did win the state title…Corona is a great player, was invited to try out for the Area Code team and is receiving a lot of D1 interest. Unfortunately, the ESG team can only take 2 catchers. I have never seen the Maggi kid play, but hear he is very good. But he plays outfield and many of the players on the ESG team play the outfield and also pitch. I think the ESG coaches got it right in putting together the best all arouond team. I am not putting any player down..It would be great if they could take 20 kids,,,but then the next 5 players after that would be upset. I wish all the players good luck whether they made the team or not.
The Best catcher by far in the area is Tyler Donovan from Iona Prep. Hands Down
You mean the catcher who batted .200 and weighs 150 lbs soaking wet? Yeah ok you're not biased.
Yesterdays boxscore from East Cobb
Winning Pitcher: Kevin Herlihy (ECA) 6IP, 2H, ER, 4K, 2BB, HP
Save: Preston Hatcher (ECA) IP, 0H, 0ER, 2BB
Losing Pitcher: John Swertfager (TR) 3 1/3IP, 6H, 4ER, 3K, 4BB, HP
Alex Forsyth (ECA) 2-3, 3R, SB; Ryan Ussery (ECA) 3-4, Double, Triple, 2RBI, R; Davis Hamby (ECA) 2-4, 2RBI, 2HP;
Anthony Corone (TR) 1-2, Double, R, BB; Shane Peterman (TR) 1-2, Double, R, BB
http://www.worldwoodbat.com/ViewGameRecap.aspx?ID=12970
We all get it,,,obviously you think your kid should have made the ESG team over the JJ kid. Time to let go and get over it. Trashing a kid in a blog isn't going to change anything. So what if he was the losing pitcher in a game vs. a team from East Cobb Georgia that is probably going to win the pool…(and by the way Esst Cobb was throwing a kid in the 90's) You forgot to mention the TR have won 3 pool games vs. 18 year olds who are all signed to go to major D1 schools. Let me guess…you were always the last one picked for Dodge Ball in Elementary School.
I heard they called him to be an alternate. Hope he told them to kiss off. What a joke. Just pick the best kids in the first place and cut the crap.
No ones trashing anyone. Just saw the stats and relayed them on. Some people just hate stats. Unless they're cooked of course.
By the way if the East Cobb team is so strong why not throw Green or someone else? Or was that a game they figured they just couldn't win anyway?
And I'll bet that you're one of those guys who's kid slid under the radar and made the team by the skin of his ass. Otherwise you wouldn't be so sensitive about the JJ kid.
This nonsense goes on all the time in town ball and in some cases HS but at somme point you expect it to stop. Empires is a good start. I personally know the JJ pitcher in question and let me say this. He's a good kid but his parents are all about themselves. This is a kid who has had breaks handed to him since little league all the way on up through HS. And now this. They are trying to extend his HS career because it did not turn out as planned. All those 5:00 am road work sessions at the expense of schoolwork for what. Yeah you can get the Football coach to make you captain after missing a year, get the baseball coach to promote you after missing a year and never batting over .250 and pitchinfg less than 5 innings up to thisd year. Make HM all section with 39 walks and the highest ERA on your team but the East Cobb Astros were having none of that. At some point you have to do it on your own. What about the kids in the wake who were better? Who speaks for them?
Trashing kids in this blog really has to stop. You make youreself look like a fool.
BTW It was the Astros 17U team and not there better team.
Wouldn't doubt it
And your kid plays where??? Lewisboro Senior League??
I don't feel that this is a bad team at all. I think they'll do well and i hope they do well. They picked great pitchers and filauro is a great catcher but is not better than panetta. I Haven't heard about the other catcher much other that he's a state champ so he can play. Panetta is the best player in the section without a doubt.
HV baseball, the best player in the section. His own coach wouldn't pay him that compliment. That's a streatch but I like your effort considering you have obviously seen all the other players and are aware of his stats and reputation.
Just a observation….Why is Cross River always in the middle of these blogs? Is it the parents who have mommy and daddy glasses or is it that money breeds arrogance? Heres the deal…kids tryout, coaches evaluate,needs are met. Anyone who is an a supposed adult here ever get hired on a job interview based on having a great day, and conversely not get a job because of a bad day? Thats what can happen in a tryout to a young adult..for those bashing kids..please stop…i dont have a child and dont relate to your protective behavior…but enough of the bashing…snubs happen it makes us (those who are mentally strong) better…work harder and make it happen…to bash a kid not a PRO….is unreal and honestly mornonic!
For what it's worth I heard Filauro had agreat tryout according to the coaches while one of the catchers picked was hobbling around. So much for your "tryout".
Also, Alan hit one out of Renegade Stadium with wood last week and I heard he hit another out with wood down in East Cobb today. Trust me, this was not a "bad day" situation. Or a baseball decision at all for that matterr. Simple politics.
Observer, you describe things as they should be not how they actually are. A bit idealisic ya think?
Glad to hear you are so mentally strong. Even though it may build character should kids have to go through it for something like this?
Jay
Should people openly critize a 17 year old kid on a blog? I didnt see the tryouts im just stating that sometimes things happen. Hopefully the Jay catcher will be recruited and pay near nothing for college and it will ALL work out…What is political about taking a catcher who won states and another who was on the squad last year and hit over 500 at empires? Cmon now..if your looking objectively then take off the daddy glasses….
Now your being honest Observer. First of all I'm not the daddy. Second, I didn't critcize anyone.
Most importantly a minute ago you were talking about tryouts and now you say the catcher was chosen because he won states. Which is it?
The JFK catcher is a very good player by the way and deserves everthing he gets. You never heard me say otherwise. My points were all about the jay catcher and how I believe he is the best in the area and has the best projectability due to his ability and his size.
Maybe one of the current catchers could be a DH because the best backstop is Alan period. And he is no relative of mine. Just objective observation. You should try it. Have you seen him play? I have seen all three several times. And yes, all three are good. He is just better. No slight on them intended just a compliment to him.
He can also throw 90 mph from the mound, steal bases, play first or third if needed and fullback and MLB (both ways). Can either of the other two do that? We are talking about a totally different level of athlete here. No slight to anyone else. Just the truth.
What i was stating was the kid from JFK won a state title and was a big part of it and is a hell of a player…the kid from Jay is a nice athelete as well….as i SAID I hope they all end up playing college ball and do well…the Fox Lane catcher is being recruited by about dozen D1 schools…My arguement hear is that noone should bash a teenage athlete…we can all agree to disagree about who made it…No slight to anyone…just the truth and facts…
WHATS THE REP ON PANETTA? I WILL SAY THIS HE IS BY FAR 1 OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN NY ,DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT,GO TO BAYSIDEYANKEES.COM CLICK ON THE SEN/AM 18U TEAM THEY HAVE THE BEST PLAYERS IN FROM ALL OVER USA AND 7 PLAYERS WERE DRAFTED THIS JUNE ,TIM IS A 09 AND HE STILL IS THERE NUM 1 , LOOK AT THE TEAM STATS , AND WHO THEY PLAY,WITH NO DIS TO ANYPLAYER ,I HAVE SEEN THIS THIS PAST SEC 1 H.S. BB
SEASON STATS AND PLAYERS WHO WOULD NOT EVEN MAKE A TEAM LIKE BAYSIDE
AMEN Thank you regarding Panetta!!!!
yes finally people will know that he is.
I must have missed the bashing part. Please cut and past it so I can see what you are referring to. It certainly wasn't me Mr. Panetta.
By the way, I just heard today that Filauro hit two bombs out at Marist during the ESG "tryout".
Jay
I did not say you bashed..others were…obviously your from Cross River and feel entitled to everything as ususal…the kid didnt make it..hes a very good player (AGAIN) and things happen..why dont you just focus on the fact that Green Iacomini and Swartfager made it…or did you want the ESG's to be the Cross River team? Frustrating when you cant weild your way against something..im sure you go to the AD,Super,School Board when you dont get your way…best of luck MR. Cross River daddy….and no im not Mr.Panettta..or a Fox Lane parent..
Observer what is your hangup with Cross River? You're obviously jealous and unhappy with the career and the life choices that you made. Get over it and don't take your frustrations out on us. It's not too late to change careers. Take some risks. Start your own business. Maybe you'll be happier. Or are you satisfied with coming on a blog and being miserable and griping about what others have worked hard for? You're a real "role model"?
I hope you're not that dad from JFK who ran into the Monsignors office and tried to get the job when the child molestor got fired.
And in terms of feeling entitled to something, yes, I think we all are entitled to a fair and honest "tryout" process.
Nothing more and nothing less. And no, I do not have a kid involved here.
Sure you don't have a kid involved. You just spend your time on this blog because you don't have a life. Get over your kid being cut.
Joy, why would anyone from JFK have an issue with JJCR. Most of the kids are all friends and teammates during the summer?
I agree with you about the process. It should be a fair and honest tryout. First get rid of Greller (fired hs coach)then it's possible. He's a Dutchess Co guy and his top assistant is a Rockland guy. Ask him how many Westchester teams he saw play this year while trying to evaluate the top players in the area. How many Arlington, Ketcham, JJEF games has he been to? Then ask yourself why his team is always made up of Dutchess players.
The ESG team has 18 players…only 3 from Dutchess County so how is the team "always made up of Dutchess players"..I guess the teams should just be called the "Westchester ESG Team" and not a team made up of players from the entire Hudson Valley, right?
There is only one player from Rockland on the team..so "Funny Guy" you should learn how to read and stop speaking out of both sides of your mouth. You say the coaches are from Dutchess and Rockland, yet the majority of players selected are from Westchester. It is obvious that either your kid got cut this year, or you had a kid cut in the past (my guess it is both)...and remember sometimes kids get cut because coaches don't want to deal with their annoying parents!
Well said, Rockland….Parents ruin it for their own kids!
How many counties are under the blanket of the Hudson Valley Team? Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, what others?
Ulster, Sullivan, Orange
If Ulster County is actually part of the Hudson Valley ESG recruiting area, why has not a single player ever been selected from that County? Certainly some kid from Ulster has been or is currently deserving?
There has been players selected from Ulster County. Please keep in mind that before formal team rosters are announced to all, player/parents/coaches have to determine the players possible conflicts with other teams or activities. I know that there are American Legion team tournaments that directly conflict with the Empires as an example.
There is a player on this years team from Saugerties….I believe that is in Ulster County.
The 2006 team had Dan Steers from Rondout, and Justin Friedenburg from Saugerties
this team is all bs anyway. i didnt even make it.
There are players from section 9
Ulster(connelly) and Sullivan(Hirsh) and the coaches #1 assistant is NOT from Rockland (one is from Putnam,one from Dutchess and 2 from Westchster)...Some of you people are so misinformed and clueless..get your facts straight before running your mouth….
Enough of you observer. Shut up already you idiot!