NYC baseball rankings
Quick question: What’s trickier, the weather or our rankings? The answer is both. While The Post’s NYC rankings has an identical top two in PSAL powers Tottenville and George Washington, virtually everything else changes. Ivy Prep League power Poly Prep moves up to third, Xaverian is now fourth, Xavier and James Monroe advance to fifth and sixth and Monsignor Farrell and Lehman break into the top 10, at seventh and eighth respectively.
It’s been a wild couple of weeks, for sure.
1. Tottenville (6-0) (Last week: 1)
There was a time Tottenville wasn’t Tottenville, when the best players on Staten Island didn’t flock to the Huguenot school. Tom Tierney Sr. changed all that, building the Pirates into a citywide powerhouse, winning six titles and compiling a 940-120 record in 33 seasons. The program’s architect passed away last Tuesday at the age of 82, a sad moment for all involved in New York City high-school baseball. His son, current Tottenville coach Tom Tierney Jr., is carrying the torch.
Next: @ No. 5 Grand Street Campus, Monroe Tournament (Apr. 18, 12:15 p.m.)
2. George Washington (6-0) (2)
The program’s detractors like to say the Trojans are a guns-for-hire team, relying on safety transfers and newcomers. There are always fresh faces at George Washington, but there are everywhere, and the Manhattan A East leader is full of home-grown talent, from catcher Nelson Rodriguez to ace Yael Regalado. Look no further than designated hitter Osvaldo Pichardo, a senior who has waited his turn and has taken advantage with 10 RBIs in six league games this spring.
Next: John F. Kennedy, George Washington Holiday Tournament (Apr. 18, 3 p.m.)
3. Poly Prep (9-1) (4)
The Blue Demons have beaten Catholic powers Xaverian and St. Joseph by the Sea in non-league. They have taken down PSAL foe James Madison and private school dynamo Berkeley Carroll as well. Poly Prep has recently dispatched Ivy Prep League rivals Fieldston, Collegiate and Dalton. Is Matt Roventini’s club the best in the city? The Bay Ridge school is certainly in the conversation.
Next: No. 5 Xavier (Apr. 23, 11 a.m.)
4. Xaverian (5-0) (5)
The Clippers always expect to be among the city’s elite so it’s not a huge surprise they’re the top CHSAA squad in the rankings this week after three close wins, including a 2-1 victory Saturday against St. Francis Prep. Most impressively, Xaverian is getting contributions from everyone on its deep and talented roster.
Next: @ No. 10 Archbishop Molloy (April 18, 4 p.m.)
5. Xavier (3-0) (6)
A year removed from its first-ever appearance in the CHSAA Class AA intersectional title game, the Knights are off to a great start and sit atop the CHSAA ‘AA’ Bronx-Manhattan division. However, James McCool, Nick DiLeo and company face a stiff test Monday against division foe St. Raymond.
Next: St. Raymond (April 18, 4 p.m.)
6. James Monroe (6-1) (8)
South Bronx owes the rest of The Bronx an apology. Its win over Monroe has created problems for everyone else: It woke up a sleeping giant. The Eagles have won their last three league games by a combined 37-1 over Riverdale/Kingsbridge, John F. Kennedy and Gompers and their first two Monroe Tournament games by an aggregate 19-3 over Richmond Hill and William Bryant. Be afraid Cardozo; be very afraid.
Next: Cardozo, Monroe Tournament (Apr. 19, 10 a.m.)
7. Monsignor Farrell (4-0) (NR)
Led by Mike Viegas, who was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored, and Nick Thorgersen, who pitched a complete-game, two-hitter, Monsignor Farrell defeated rival St. Joseph by the Sea, 6-0, and sent a message to the city it will be a senior contender.
Next: @ Moore Catholic (April 19, 4 p.m.)
8. Lehman (6-1) (NR)
Senior southpaw Dymin Morillo has taken on the role of ace and run with it, winning his last three starts while allowing just three earned runs in 20 innings pitched. He’s as much a reason as any other the Lions have a stranglehold atop Bronx A West.
Next: Manhattan Center @ Taft, Monroe Tournament (Apr. 19, 12:15 p.m.)
9. Grand Street Campus (6-0) (7)
There may be question about the Wolves starting rotation, but we have none about the back end of their bullpen. Eligible after a year away from the team, junior right-hander Luis Hiraldo has one of the best arms in the PSAL with movement to match. In an important 5-3 win over Brooklyn A West leader Fort Hamilton, he was unhittable.
Next: No. 1 Tottenville, Monroe Tournament (Apr. 19, 12:15 p.m.)
10. Archbishop Molloy (5-0) (NR)
Legendary coach Jack Curran had a good feeling about his team in the preseason and so far, so good for the Stanners, who are tied with Xaverian atop the CHSAA ‘AA’ Brooklyn/Queens division. The teams clash Monday in Briarwood.
Next: No. 4 Xaverian (April 18, 4 p.m.)
New: Lehman (6-1) and Archbishop Molloy (5-0)
Dropped out: James Madison (3-1)
On the bubble: All Hallows (3-1), Beacon (6-2), Berkeley Carroll (3-2), Fieldston (3-2), James Madison (3-1), John Adams (6-0), Riverdale (7-0), St. Joseph by the Sea (3-1), St. Raymond (3-1) and South Bronx (4-2)
