Piecing together the Class A puzzle
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- March
- 24
It’s baseball preview time around the office so Jake and I spent a good deal of time yesterday discussing several topics of interest. Among them was one I’d like to let out into the open here and see how you all feel about it.
We were sitting around discussing favorites and darkhorses in the different classes. Most are pretty clear. You can’t go wrong with Mamaroneck and Kennedy as the top picks to repeat. At the very minimum, both should be right there in the end. Class C may be a bit muddled, too, but Keio has earned respect in recent years. And the Catholics, well…let’s just say they don’t seem to know who’s going to win, so how can we?
Perhaps the most puzzling preseason prediction we have to make comes in Class A. I’m not sure there’s a favorite, yet I’m also not sure the contenders have emerged either. I won’t tell you who we’re leaning toward for now, but below is a quick look at pros and cons for some of top teams. Then I want to hear your thoughts:
SOMERS —
Pros: Dan Zlotnick and Kyle Woltersdorf return to anchor the two-time defending champ.
Cons: Almost everyone else is gone, including guys like Vinny Nicolosi, Dan ”$$$” Tracy, Jerry Battipaglia, Ron Stenz, Steve Finella and Willie Sisca, who were all key contributors.
PELHAM —
Pros: The underrated Zack Baker returns to anchor the staff, which will also have Greg Bratone, one of the best hitters in last year’s lineup
Cons: Decimated by graduation…you name ‘em…Charlie Vetrano, Charlie Siegelbaum, Matt Keller, Pat Syzmanski, Matt Volpe, Zach Small
LAKELAND —
Pros: Jon Cosenza will form a solid battery with Joe Arena, who pitched great as a freshman
Cons: Lost, among others, Section 1 player of the year Brendan Hourihan, who did a lot…a lot, a lot
ARDSLEY —
Pros: Good experience gained last year, thanks to playoff upset of Lakeland
Cons: No more of quarterfinal hero Kioyta Gomi, one of the most underrated all-around players around
TAPPAN ZEE —
Pros: A very solid 14-11 season last year and returns some guys with potential, like sophomore Ryan O’Rourke
Cons: Graduated nine seniors, including mainstays Tyler Rorick and Johnny Wong
PANAS —
Pros: Coming off a very up and down year but returns talent in Mike Parish and Ian Cole
Cons: This group hasn’t had enough success at the varsity level to pencil it in as a contender just yet
HEN HUD —
Pros: Some big-time players back in T.J. Olesczuk, Mike Tandy and Matt DeSilva
Cons: Lost some experienced guys in the lineup and the rotation, like the valuable Dan Martin
EASTCHESTER —
Pros: Three words…Big Dan Sorine
Cons: Mickey Abbatiello, Dave Perllishi and Rob Federico were all very productive; who can fill those spots?
BREWSTER —
Pros: Took some bumps and bruises and should be experienced for it; only graduated three seniors
Cons: Like Panas, is it too much to expect this club to contend?
The others: Dutchess fans, let’s hear about Lourdes and Beacon. Both were just .500 teams last season. Can they be anything more? … Rockland fans, how about Pearl River and Nyack? Are they stuck in the middle or can either one soar? … Will there be any signs of life from Harrison and Peekskill, who had tough years last year? … How about Byram Hills, Rye or Sleepy? … Can Port Chester possibly replace Jesse Burba and Frank Fiumara?
Let’s hear your thoughts. I’m intrigued…
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 at 2:06 am 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.
I can really see Eastchester, who return probably their best pitcher last year, Andrew Nickeletos, making a run this year in Class A. Joining Sorine and Nickeletos on that pitching staff is senior Tom Medico who had a great season last year as well. The Eagles return a veteran and deep pitching staff to go with solid infield and outfield. And don’t forget that they had Pelham on the ropes in the first few innings of last year’s semifinal playoff game. If Eastchester can start this season on the right track, I believe they have all the intangibles to make a serious Playoff run.
well if by on the ropes you mean losing by like 10 runs, then yeah, they sure were. bartone ran the train on that pitching staff.
Pelham put up 17 against Eastchester…. I’m pretty sure Bratone bombed one that was close to 400 off one of the pitchers. And then he hit another one that cleared the fence by 15 feet. Eastchester getting outscored 37-15 in three games isn’t very impressive.
Pelham has a lot of seniors this year who are top caliber players, they just didn’t have anywhere to play last year, with 6 positions occupied by 3 year starters. Look for names like Hoffmann and Pesce to have good years. Bratone is one of the top 2 hitters in the league, with Sorine. Eicher is a solid hitter and fielder, and when he gets on he can cause havoc with his speed. Camardella will be a force in the middle of the lineup. Baker was 7-0 with a 1.66 last year.
Losing Small to graduation will probably hurt the team most. Not only was he a good hitter (.375) but defensively he was one of the best catchers in the section. That will remain a question mark entering the season.
Well, uhhhhhhh, Pelham was losing in the fourth inning. That is unbiased fact. Had Eastchester been the same team in April that they were in June, they could have earned a bye in the tournament and could have started one of their more experienced pitchers. After their 1-8 start, Eastchester won 15 of 17 games
Pelham was up 6-4 in the 4th, Eastchester put up 1 in the 4th, to make it 6-5. Pelham then scored 9 runs to make it 15-5.
Sec 1 fan, my mistake. I guess it was the third inning that Eastchester was ahead.
Regardless, I think that with Eastchester’s revamped pitching (to be honest, Frederico was not much of a help last year) and Sorine’s return with the bat, Eastchester has the pieces in place to contend in their league and in the section.
Look for Steve Oxee to dominate
Obviously somers should have a good year, zlotnick should dominate, their pitching is solid and that wins games, and they have some good up comers who look positive, and who knows about miguel nunez. Hen Hud should be contenders mainly because of olvzcuck and tandy who are stars, they came off very strong season and are only juniors, so look for two years of contention. Beacon = Josy Espinal, Brewster is another intriguing team, key returners in carter, and delfranco in middle of their order, plus i hear they also have some solid players coming up through the system, look for a promising year. Lakeland should be good as always, and how would they not be this year with their star cosenza and arena returning for his sophmore year.
Beacon should have an excellent team with Cervone (St.Johns) anchoring the staff and should be able to score a lot of runs led by Josie Espinal who might be the best Jr. in Dutchess County. Look for them to make some noise.
Anyone know the reason why Mamk cancelled their game vs. Ketcham ? Would have been a good early season match-up.
I would have to say that Pelham will surprise a lot of people this year. Of course, the loss of most of their starters will be tough to overcome, but I think they have the staff they need to fill those spots. You have Baker and Bratone heading the pitching staff, with a new breed of junior hurlers coming into the mix (Steve Oxee, Mickey Gorman, Chris Denison, and Jack Doucette). Its impossible to fill the shoes of Zack Small, but I think junior Will Van DEN Burg will do just fine. His defense is impeccable and is a solid line-drive hitter. You also can forget Pelham Hockey star Victor Dzenis coming off the bench or possibly even starting. He’s a raw hitter with tons of power. I think with the offensive weapons of Bratone, Carmadella, Malcolm Sigelbaum (younger brother of star SS Calvin, who also is an incredible SS himself), Pierce Hoffman, Jon Eicher, Ed Pesce, Mark Illustrato, Will Van DEN Burg and Big Vic Dzenis coming of the bench, Pelham will do some damage this year. And with the afore-mentioned pitching staff, Pelham will be a force this year.
And middle infielder Chris Riccio hits ROCKETS
Lucky Bunny
That is very interesting to hear because I have been hearing the same things the past few weeks as the teams have been practicing their hearts out in the frigid march air. However, me and my collegues have come to the conclusion that Junior pitcher Zach Baker is overrated and will not be putting up very strong or consistant numbers this season. Everything else Lucky Bunny said is surprisingly true. The most underated player is Steve Oxee and in my mind he will be their number 2 starter in the rotation behind Greg Braton. This year I belive Pelham’s number 4 hitter will be Victor Dezenis. Like Lucky Bunny said, he has raw talent and not very strong mechanics but it makes him a very great and powerfull hitter.
I have a question for Josh Thomson or Class A scout….what role do you think Junior Ryan Stiefvater will have on the team this year. I hear he is a great all around player, specifically an excellent outfielder.
Class A scout…I wouldn’t sleep on Baker. You can’t call him overrated considering he’s already done something a lot of other guys haven’t: produced. Baker was Pelham’s best pitcher last season, Vetrano, Volpe and Bratone included. That’s no knock on those guys, but there’s no way Pelham goes 20-5 without him. Baker’s record (7-0), ERA (1.63), and WHIP (1.38) led the team. His K to BB ratio was second (barely) to Bratone. And he totally shut down Somers in the Class A championship game in relief, tossing 3.1 innings of two-hit ball. Unfortunately for Pelham it was too late.
Anyway, you should give the kid his due. He’s done it.
pelham fan…I don’t know anything about Ryan. When I talk to coach Plunkett (haven’t yet) I’ll be sure to ask about him.
Mamaroneck had to drop their tournament of 15 years the Tanney and all 3 of their 2nd place cross-overs including Ketchem, because of 4 national games in California, if they still had 24 games Ketchum would be on!
he is phenominal at keeping benches warm and never puts too much ice in the water. Him and lucky bunny will make sure conditions in the pelham locker room are exceptional
738
I would have to agree, asside from being phenominal players those kids keep the conditions top notch in the locker room.
JOSH THOMPSON
Ryan Steifvater is an extremely skilled player. Im predicting many many stolen bases this year.
Class A Scout
I would have to agree with just about everything you say. Im not so sure Baker is overrated, but everything else you say is spot on.
Theres no doubt in my mind that Steifvater and Oxee will play major roles in Pelham’s success this year.
hey josh,
I noticed you mentioned Keio and class C and how they have earned respect. some of the smaller programs in class C have also made great strides as well. Blind Brook for example beat Keio in both meetings last year and in one game starting 6 sophomores. Any chance we can see one of these articles for class b and c?
player…We will get to every class before the season starts. I threw up this post because Jake and I really had trouble breaking down Class A last night. It’s a tough one.
yeah thats true. there are a lot of good teams losing players but have good talent coming up too. class c is going to be tough too just because the heavy hitters from last year lost a lot of players like valhalla and even Keio to some extent.
How about Peekskill how many wins do you think they will have?
Josh When you talk to Plunkent ask him what kind of role he expects Jr Chris Riccio to play as he played very well for pro swing in the summer and he can play i belive both 2nd and 3rd.. from what i heard he and malcom are by far there best players coming up
As for ryan i never heard of him josh so dont bother asking as they are probably just playing a joke on u
Yea i played with Chris from Pelham at pro swing he has a soild bat and is a line drive hitter and has a good golve.. he will def help pelham out this year
why not include yorktown…they were better than panas and have a lot more to prove after losing many starters
john…Yorktown is not in Class A.
Josh Thomson did you talk to Plunkett the coach of pelham yet?
Riccio, Sigelbaum, and Oxee are all playing for pro swing next summer.
I feel that Hen Hud has enough talent to go deep into the sectionals if not win the whole thing. With Oleszuck and Tandy you cant beat them.
Pelham and Mamo scrimmaged today and i thoght both sides showed good signs for the season. Both sides had big guns in their line-ups and pitching staffs with lots of potential.
I heard Sidney Rosenfeld hit a bomb off Sidney Ponson look alike Mickey Gorman.
Mike*, not sidney
With Stiefvater coming in late to sure up the outfield and pinch-run for the deathly slow Andrew Carmadella, Pelham should be set for a great year. The coaching staff seems to be really excited about the potential this young thoroughbread brings to the bases. The only thing it seems this young stud can’t do is avoid all the hype.
Brewster has bobby delfranco end of story….
Somers’s Vinny Mannini will provide huge power off the bench as a ph. He’s projected to hit 18 hrs and 22 rbi this season by ESPN announcer Joe Morgan.
guys seriously all you guys who are saying steifater and oxee will dominate thats a lie, because ive seen pelham play and they were both riding the pine so all the time you spend on this blog saying this stupid stuff you should be outside practicing so you will be able to unglue ur butt from the bench