New poll: Who’s your player of the year?
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- June
- 29
As Jake noted, I was away for the week. Played a little golf, chauffered my brother around, hung out with the wife and went upstate to a cousin’s graduation. All in all, it was a solid break.
I hope you don’t think I forgot about you. So, to account for my absence, I hope to launch what should be one of the more spirited debates of the spring/summer.
To the right I have posted a poll with 16 candidates for our honor as the Westchester/Putnam baseball player of the year. You can vote for your choice (or add one of your own), and I encourage you to do so. Also, please write in and let us know why you chose who you chose. Next week Jake will follow with a number of candidates for the big award in Rockland, and that will lead us into July 10, when this spring’s special section drops.
One quick warning: Let’s keep it positive. A few of you used the time while I was away to criticize a few of the summer coaches in the area. 1) This is not the place to vent those frustrations, and 2) This is not the place to bash people, period.
Please keep your comments focused on baseball. Thanks.
Here are some candidates:
Joe Arena, Lakeland
Anthony Corona, Kennedy
Jon Cosenza, Lakeland
Zack Graczyk, Carmel
Sean Hagan, Mamaroneck
Matt McGovern, Mamaroneck
Mike Mercurio, Kennedy
Kenta Miyoshi, Keio
Anthony Muccio, Stepinac
Ryan Pennell, Rye Neck
T.J. Olesczuk, Hen Hud
Mike Rosenfeld, Mamaroneck
Mike Swerdloff, Ardsley
Mike Volpe, Carmel
Kyle Woltersdorf, Somers
Dan Zlotnick, Somers
This entry was posted
on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 4:36 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.
Complete homer pick…Ryan Sullivan! Top player in the league. His stats were ridiculous. He will be playing baseball at Hofstra.
Josh and Jake, thank you for a great year. I wish all the baseball fans a happy and healthy summer.
KKKAAAABBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOMMMMMMM to you all!
Corona, Pennell, and Mercurio and no Lafaye, Avalos or any other class B members?
Pretty sure Dobbs and Lafaye knocked off kennedy rather easily.
Great list of players. You’re missing others including Dan Sorine who just won the Battle of the Border Tournament MVP and the athlete/scholar Diamond 9 + 1 award. Dan also has equally as high stats as many of the players on your list.
I have had the chance to not only coach but watch some of the best baseball players to come out of this county over the years and i really don’t go by numbers because we all know that they can be misleading and inflated, with that said and not knowing or caring about his numbers this year based on talent alone there is no way a player like JJCR shortstop Anthony Iacomini should be left off this list he is clearly one of the top players in the county.
fan, dobbs did win class B, but they did not have the best individual player, you are totally correct in saying they are the best team in the class, but no individual player on their team was as good as Corona, Pennel, or Merc
As someone who has seen more H.S. games than 99.9 % of the people out there my choice for player of the year would be Matt McGovern of M’neck with Dan Zlotnick being a very close 2nd. Yes, Iacomini should be included on any list talking about the best players in section one.
Sean Hagan does it all. Pitching, Hitting, Defense and a true team leader.
Agree with Mamk fan. Sean is the complete player – led his team in pitching, hitting, defense and especially leadership. He was the man that got them to the state final four. As they say – you can’t win it if your not in it!
Tomorrow is July 1st, when colleges can offically discuss scholarships with rising seniors. John Jay’s Stephen Green has committed to Boston College and Suffer’s Rob Aviles has committed to the University of FLorida.
Why even have a debate over who is the best player. Your just creating controversey. As a person who has had the experience of coaching in the past. I WILL BE THE FIRST TO SAY THAT SECTION 1 IS THE BEST SECTION IN THE STATE!!!!!!!!! Has been for the last 5 years as well. I would put up a team of all-stars from section 1 vs. any section in the state, including NYC. LET’S JUST SAY WE HAVE THE BEST IN THE STATE….....NUFF SAID!
Dobbs gets no love ahaa lol.. LaFaye was the best player in Class B other than Pennell. All around look at his stats…not saying he is the player of the year but definately deserves a mention
Lohud aka Mr. Bradshaw . Thanks for the info that was already established weeks ago. Surprised there was no update on your son. Go away and let your son enjoy this time. You are bringing forth negative exposure. And drop the “Scout”..its become a bore
definitely Matt McGovern. he broke so many records that no one else touched, he deserves it. props to all the other players i’m sure they’re very good. however, my vote goes to Matt.
aviles is going to florida? thts actually news to me
Congratulations to Suffern’s Robbie Aviles. Today he was named Aflac All-American. This is a tremendous honor and puts Aviles amongst the elite baseball players in the nation.
Michael Kay had a huge discussion today about “who is the greatest” of all time, Rivera, Trevor Hoffman or even Goose Gossage…
The topic of who is the best in the section to me comes down to the Kay show…
WHO CARES?
They are all terrific players, why do we keep insisting that someone has to be “the best” or the greatest? I’d take anyone of these kids on my team in a heartbeat, put the names in a hat and I’d be thrilled with any of them.
Putting this crap on a blog to open up discussion about which of them is “the best” is idiotic and I feel bad for all the names listed here.
This is just plain dumb.
So who is better? Josh or Jake? rest my case.
Anthony Muccio, Stepinac
Rated in top 500 2010 prospects on Perfect Game website : Rob Aviles (Suffern) – 28, Ryan Pennell(Rye Neck) – 220, Josy Espinal (Beacon) – 345, Colin Moran (Iona Prep) – 440, Stephen Green (JJCR) – 472. Posting was just updated.
To all those players who will continue to play on after high school I quote the poet John McLeod:
“It’s the journey that’s important,
Not the getting there!”
Thank you. At least there is one blogger who gets it. Names are posted or topics like these are discussed and it becomes a free for all. The writers do ask people to refrain from bashing people on these blogs yet it continues. Go figure. No class
From Perfect Game Blog : excerpts
World Yacht Clippers ‘10’s
7/1/2009 5:21:44 PM
The World Yacht Clippers ‘10 team has a young LHP who will be getting plenty of attention over the summer from colleges and probably next spring from the scouts. Ryan Pennell (2010, Rye Neck HS, NY) is a loose and easy 6-4, 185 lb southpaw. He was outstanding at the PG Sunshine Northeast Showcase last month but was unable to come to the PG National Showcase.
This morning Pennell was 86-89 mph for three innings (6 K’s) in a 4-3 win over a veteran Knoxville Yard team. Pennell threw both a low 70’s curveball and a slider that touched 82 mph and both showed hard spin and sharp bite. He’s very projectable and already shows a polished approach to using his stuff.
Another 2010 World Yacht Clippers prospect, SS T.J. Olesczuk (2010, Hendrick Hudson HS, NY) had an outstanding game, going 4-4 with a triple, stolen base and 2 runs scored.
How do these kids from the Clippers get so much attention?
Also saw on PG that Steve Grenn threw 1 2/3 innings and gave up 8 runs.
Pennell is the real deal. Don’t let anyone disparage him for the great stats he put up in Class B, he would dominate at AA too. Espinal was edged out for Dutchess Cty player of the year, but will win it next year and will be a top 5 player in the section. He throws 90 MPH from the OF, has great hands at the plate, and hits with power. The kid can do it all. Colin Moran has size , a great bat, and plays a good 3B -and has the proverbial “bloodlines” with his brother at N.C.. I have not seen TJ too much, but he is obviously on fire down south and has outhit the rest of the Clippers by a wide margin. That is the nucleus of the Clipper 10’s, but they obviously have a pretty good supporting cast to go along with those 4 and are more than holding their own down south , at least so far. And remember, with them, it is not about winning. They showcase 3-4 pitchers a game, and do not ride a guy like Pennell for what could be a better shot at winning a game. Serio, Erker, are also look pretty good, and their lower end of the rotation guys are , for teh most part, not terrible which should keep them close in most games.
Good for Pennell! I’m sure we’ll still here from the naysayers because the kid plays in Class B. I believe Pennell just proved that he can hang with the big boys. He’ll have his pick of colleges.
Up north at the Triple Crown tournament in Newburgh somelocal talent shined. Jon DeMarte from Lakeland gave up 1 run in a complete game effort and many coaches were impressed with his skill set off the mound. Forrest Drucker from Pleasantville threw a no-hitter for the Proswing Pride in the opening game in front of a large crowd. Both had people talking.
Where is Pennel headed to college? Has he narrowed his list of schools yet?
Matt McGovern always come through! He is amazing to watch!
Panther,
I have no insider information about Pennell. However, this kid is just starting to get exposure. It’s only the beginning for him. Other posters have mentioned that coaches from St. Johns have been at his games this past season. He’ll have his pick of colleges after the summer is over. A lefty that throws 86-89 for strikes is a rare commodity.
I’m probably going to get slammed for this, but Pennell definitely has ACC, SEC, PAC 10 or Big 12 potential. Any Big East school would love to have him. It all depends on where he’d like to play and who offers.
I see the Clippers were waxed today in GA.. But the Rangers had a nice win :
Taconic Rangers Youngster Doesn’t Act His Age
7/2/2009 4:00:39 PM
Taconic Rangers RHP Seth Lamando is one of the youngest players in the 18U National Championships as a 2012 grad at Ketcham HS in New York. He didn’t act like it while throwing a 7 inning no-hitter against the Orlando Reds.
The 5-11 right hander walked 2 while striking out 7. He pitched between 83 and 86 mph for all 7 innings and showed very good command of a upper 60’s curveball. He obviously can handle the pressure of pitching to older hitters on a big stage.
Here is the site for all the photos from the Battle at the Border.All the photos are free for all the players to download. http://s964.photobucket.com/albums/ae130/battleattheborder/
Barty
I’d say you are correct. Word is that Pennell’s phone has not stopped ringing since July 1 when schools were first allowed to call. I am sure he has some pretty big schools after him.
Shortage of Hard Throwing LHP’s
PG Website :
7/2/2009 5:52:49 PM
The Class of 2010 has alot of big pluses in it but hard throwing LHP’s definitely aren’t one of them. In fact, we counted southpaws who touched 90 at the PG National and only came up with seven, and two of them were primary position players.
Billy;
Pennell liked we discussed before is legit. He would have dominated any level this year and next year. Doesn’t matter what class you are in when you have the stuff he has. He has already been offered by Duke, Louisville and others. I recently heard from a few reputable baseball people that his stock has risen to the point where he may be a high draft pick next summer.. Great for this kid.
In terms of Avilles, the Florida thing is pretty old news. Florida was his top choice and the scholarship is essentially being used as a bargaining chip which is very smart. I wish him the best of luck! Very rare to have these two talents in one class..
Tough game yesterday for our 2010 group. They got beat up pretty good even though the game was only 4-0 after 4. The team we played had 9 draft picks on it. The starting pitcher was a 3rd round pick and was 90-92 for 4 innings.
The 09’s were down 4-0 in the 1st to Palm Beach and won that game 14-4.
Now here is big news for all the Section 1 fans and naysayers out there. Willie Gabay from Mahopac HS (don’t look up his stats because there aren’t any, he was cut from that illustrious program this past spring), was offered a scholarship today to pitch at D1 Austin Peay University in Tenn. Willie has had 4 outstanding appearance. He sits 85-8 with movement and command. Coaches down here laugh when we tell them that he didn’t play HS baseball. Congratulations to Wiillie !!!!
Also reciving an offer so far this summer was Pat Farina, also from Mahopac. Pat too has played very well both in the OF and offensively.
With regard to Ryan Pennell, he has been very busy with the phones, he has over 25 calls already, has pitched only 3 innings, he goes again tomorrow for 2 and most of the schools aren’t here yeat. Next week will be crazy.
TJ Olesczuk, Josy Espinal, Mike Lang, Chris Erker, Brandon Serio and Colin Moran have all played very well and will be very attractive to many schools.
With the 2 Clippers teams and the Taconic Rangers, Section 1 is very well represented. There is also 3 or 4 guys on Team Ct, (Filaro, Maggi, Ricci and LJ Mazzilli).
The weather has been great and the boys are doing well.
HRs,
I live about forty minutes away from UF. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to see Aviles play if he doesn’t sign. I wonder if UNC will offer Pennell. They have had luck with players in the Westchester County area before, especially with the luck they had with Brian Moran. Why didn’t Zlotnick get drafted. I’ve read reports all year long that he threw 86-89mph. I’m guessing he would have been a late round pick. Did he tell the scouts he was going to college, so don’t even waste a late pick? When you say high draft pick for Pennell, what rounds are you hearing. Is he a kid that can go anywhere from the 5th to 10th round?
PG,
Do the scouts have any need for a guy in his mid thirties that’s lefty and can still throw 82-85mph? If so, sign me up. Sounds like a weak class of lefties this year at PG National.
Billy:
He has the grades and talent, NC will be calling. 5-10 is what I was told(more towards the 5) They feel his velocity and strength is going to really increase from this year to next.
If you think about it, Section 1 could get two kids picked in the top 5 rounds. Now that is impressive. With that being said, you may see Aviles in rookie ball, but not a gator uni!
In terms of Zlotnick, I really don’t have a clue. Of that people that I know, he was never mentioned. Someone else would have to chime in on that one.
2009 All State Team announced:
http://www.newyorksportswriters.org/reference/boys_baseball_stars_2009.shtml
tell this Anthony Muccio guy to stop voting for himself
Give muccio some credit hes the only catholic school kid on the list and the only kid who used wood bat this season. His stats match up with kids with metal bat and trust me ive known the kid for a long time he wouldnt vote for himself.
Hi my name is jonh Doe and muccio told me that he told all of his friends to vote for him thats why hes doing so well not to take away from his ability he had a great season and deserves every vote.
The Clipper 10s won a consolation game yesterday to end the 18U @ 3-3. That’s a decent showing in a tournament with competition of this caliber. The 17U gets underway tomorrow. The Clipper 09’s have come home, but the NY Nine Showcase and the Taconic Rangers younger team have joined the Clipper 10’s and the older Taconic team in East Cobb. Should be a good week of baseball down there.
Great feature on Zack Tax. A great ball player and individual. We wish him all the success he deserves.
I was at the Yankees game today, Mamaroneck’s Sean Hagan was the Modell’s HS Player of the Month for the area, according to an announcement made apparently during every game. Last time I was there in June, it was some kid from Connecticut, so this appears to be a neat award for Sean.
Congrats, obviously, to Sean Hagan on that.
Very nice article about Tax. Sounds like the kid Ivy League bound.
what article?
The article on Z.Tax can be found by accessing Lohud Sports above.
It looks like Pennell is due to go 2-3 inn. this morning @ the 17U Wood Bat tourney for the Clippers in a game at the East Cobb Complex. He is listed as a probable pitcher.
I am sure they’ll be many scouts in attendance at this game.
This can only serve to help the entire Clipper 10’ team having a drawing card like Ryan Pennell.
Good luck to Ryan and all of the Clippers today.
Pennell did throw today and did give up a couple of runs in a 10-4 Clippers win. Jon Melville from Kingston also threw and was the WP.
Power Bats Put Wind in Clipper’s Sail
7/8/2009 10:48:18 AM
The World Yacht Clippers used some power bats to defeat the Big Stix Gamers 10-4 Wednesday morning. C Chris King (2010, Portsmouth, RI) was impressive both offensively and defensively for the Clippers hitting in the clean up hole, driving in 3 runs with a home run and single. 1B Mike Tandy (2010, Hendrick Hudson HS, NY) also had a home run and a single, while SS Thomas Olesczuk (2010, Hendrick Hudson HS, NY) and RF Michael Lang (2010, Ketchum, NY) had 2 run doubles.
PG,
Thanks for the updates. How hard was Pennell throwing? Was he nervous throwing in front of a bunch of scouts? Again, thanks for the updates.
How would PG know if he was nervous? And why are the Clippers the only team getting some play here? I know everyone appreciates knowing what the local kids are doing but there are more teams out there
Because Clippers Coach is promoting his kids and doing a good job of it (here). Absolutely, there are other teams from the area down there, but we don’t hear how they’re doing. But in terms of promoting, I would rather my kids Coach speak with the College Coaches. I don’t think they’re wasting their time reading these blogs.
If I give you an update it will have my name above. The rest is from someone else, it’s not about the team, it’s about the kids in our aea.
First off, Congratulations to Pat Farina from Mahopac HS who committed to Ave Maria University in Naples, FL today. His mom called earlier and gave us the news.
As far as Pennell and the rest of the guys, there was a lot to be nervous about. Almost 75 college coaches and ML scouts watched him throw today. He was 85-86 and had a strong showing. Just like at Rye Neck he had a short period where he lost the strike zone but gave up only 1 run in 3 innings of work. Rich Giner from Greeley threw the 6th and Matt Phillips from Lakeland threw a scoreless 7th. TJ, Tandy, Colin Moran and Lang had solid games. Mike Lang from Ketcham and Moran have really had a good showing down here.
Yesterday we lost 4-3. Chris Erker has been outstanding every time out and was the same during this game. Attacking hitters and getting outs. Yesterday Billy Demersky had a very solid start and Brandon Serio from Fox Lane had a tremendous showing. Lang, Moran and Joe Mercurio from Mahopac had multiple hits.
I haven’t seen Taconic but got word that Jon deMartee has been solid with the bat and on the mound. He hit 89 in his last appearance. There are so many games nd so many fields it’s tough to see our locals.
I can tell you, the boys have gotten a lot of attention down here and we have had quite a following. Our catcher received 5 offers after the games today. Not bad.
The updates from coach are welcome. Might be the only way we know how these kids are doing other than taking info directly off the web site, which is pretty much what I have been doing since I am not down there. The info on the web site is somewhat limited and not all inclusive. I also posted info on the Rangers and if I saw something on the Nine would put that on here as well.
Clipper Coach is on a roll. Getting kids looks and offers when some of the kids couldn’t even make their high school teams.
Coach..I hear you are picking up the Chinese tab again. I’m on my way over to your house to take care of business.
Keep it up and say hi to your other coach for me.
I see the Clippers lost again. weakest pool in the tourney too. What’s up with all these superstars?
the clipper coaches have said this over and over its not about winning or loosing ,its all about showcasing there players in front of college coaches etc…
Mamaroneck’s senior Mike Rosenfeld and junior Scott Hagan have each homered for the New York Nine Showcase team today down in Georgia.
clipper member – that sounds like the right perspective for a coach in that spot—the best badge of honor they can have is the success rate of their players re college placements. Everyone wants to win but ultimately who cares about the team record?
re the post by sect 1 fan—It will be a long time before mam’k (or anyone) has a team like they the past two years – but no one should assume they won’t be very competitive next year and thereafter.
Clippers?
How can you know that the bracket is the weakest in the tournament ? Please explain.
Of course Mamaroneck won’t be as good next year. But does anyone have to start on that already. Why not focus on what that team has accomplished over the past two years. The players on the NY Nine that were an integral part of that team should be proud of their accomplishment. I’m sure they’re getting plenty of attention, which they deserve.
From the wrap of their first game:
WP: Zack Tax (NYN) 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 4 K, 0 BB
LP: Jacob Lasage (LASR) 2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 K, 0 BB
1B Rich Carbone (NYN) 3-3, 1 R, 3 2B, 1 RBI; C Mike Rosenfeld (NYN) 1-2, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI; EH Drew Forbes (LASR) 2-3
Congrats to Zack Tax, Richie Carbone and Mike Rosenfeld. Also to Scott Hagan for the big HR today.
Clippers Coach can u keep us some what updated with how its going down there? I like to see how Tandy and Olesczuk are doing…good to see TJ is outhitting everyone!
Good win today as we pitched flawless. Chris Erker and Billy Demersky just threw strikes and kept hitters off balance. Quite different then yesterday. Matt Phillips ca,e in to close and gave up a big hit but bounced right back to get the save.
TJ has played very well. It has taken him a while to adjust to a much quicker game then our regular HS games. This past week he has really come into his own. He’s has a lot of schools following him. Between TJ, Colin Moran and Josy Espinal, everyday they have been the leaders. Then it’s one or 2 other guys who step up. Mike Tandy has a HR and a few doubles this week, Matt Phiilips has played well almost every day and John Pilla had a big double this morning.
Tomorrow we play All-American Prospects from FL and Pennell, John Melville (Kingston) he’s been outstanding and Brandon seri will pitch.
It’s been 17 days in the heat and 17 games in 15 days which is a lot for these guys. You don’t play this back home.
Coach, up here, we play the WPBA which I believe is way more betterer than the softball games you play with “your kids”. And…its only $100 for each player. What a bargain…and we get great looks from local colleges like WCC and DCC not to mention we dont have to travel far.
i realized that the clippers came home today. Clippers coach how did the mahopac kids play after their dreadful year?
Mike, You can’t be serious! The WPBA is a fine organization that provides summer baseball for hundreds of kids. But it is far from elite baseball. There are some good players, but for the most part if a kid is really good and aspires to play in college, he has to play on a team that faces much better competition than teams in the WPBA or WBA can provide. I also think that a serious HS baseball player is not looking to play at WCC or DCC, and thats not meant to be a knock on those programs.
I like the updates on all the local players on this blog. How else would people know how our local talent is doing? Lets just keep it more about the players as opposed to the summer teams.
Chris rker and Billy Demersky had a very good 2 weeks. Erker was outstanding in all 5 of his appearances and has ataracted interest from schools. He was 81-84 and sharp. Demersky got better each time out. On Thursady he sat 79-81 and for a LHP thats not bad. Some added strength will help both these guys. OF Joe Mercurio (no relation) did very well for himself especially the first 10 days. He has made great strides. Joe had 6 hits the week of the 18U.
BB Dad…do you think perhaps the JN could publish an article or two on how the local travel teams and kids are doing this summer? You think that rag can actually attend a game or two, take some photos and generate some interest in the LOCAL kids? Do you think that would help sell some newspapers? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, you have to read these blogs to keep up.
I was kidding about the WPBA as it is a fine organization and without it, kids who just want to play ball would have no place to play and many kids who play in those elite leagues started out in the wpba.
virginia is this weekend, how is the infield and outfield going to look after the past three weeks?
reading these blogs is only a way to create confrontation that is not needed. Things can be going well for a team(s) and all it takes is one person to create controversy. Be positive