PSAL baseball rankings
Friday evening, a few minutes after 10 p.m., the PSAL season came to a close. It was a sad moment for us – the season was so memorable. The ‘A’ title game, won by Tottenville, 1-0, over Lehman in 10 innings, was a perfect cap to the year, a pitcher’s duel filled with remarkable defensive plays and hard-fought at-bats.
Now that the year, one of the best in recent memory, is over, take a look with us at next year as we break down our final top 10.
1. Tottenville (23-1) (Last week: 1)
The rest of the PSAL may have to get used to seeing Tottenville celebrating on the final night of the baseball season. The Pirates return five position players, including a possible 3-4-5 of Thomas Kain, Kevin Krause, and George Kantzian, which would be quite formidable given the three juniors’ production this spring. Joe Sessa can fill in fine for Zach Granite in center field and Gil Mendoza will only get better at the hot corner. Tottenville, it should be pointed out, never lacks in the pitching department, either, so the losses of Jon Silva and Stephen Mattina won’t be too crippling.
Next: Season over
2. Lehman (18-5) (2)
Even the most ardent Tottenville supporter had to feel for Lehman ace Tyler Gurman once his throw sailed into right field, allowing the championship-winning run to score. Gurman pitched his heart out, blanking the explosive Pirates for nine innings. He did so much this year for the Lions, as their No. 3 hitter and star left-hander, leading them to the Bronx A West crown, to that shocking quarterfinal upset of Monroe and first finals appearance since 2002.
Next: Season over
3. James Monroe (18-1) (3)
The Eagles’ quarterfinal loss to Lehman doesn’t look so bad now, does it? As usual, don’t expect Monroe to take as step back next spring. Mike Turo’s club reloads, it doesn’t rebuild. Sophomore shortstop Wander Almonte will be one of the city’s elite position player while freshman right-hander Ricardo Parra could be one of its best arms.
Next: Season over
4. James Madison (20-2) (4)
While the Knights graduate plenty of talent and experience, from ace Eddie Lenahan to center fielder Joe Calascione to catcher Chris Mann, the cupboard is hardly bare. We expect big things out of versatile pitchers and infielders Mike Fitzpatrick, Joe Cali, and Joe Abadia, all of them pitchers and infielders. We haven’t forgotten about junior outfielder Brandon Cruz, either, who was lost at the start of the postseason to jury and will be an integral part of Madison’s lineup next spring.
Next: Season over
5. George Washington (19-2) (5)
When the Kansas City Royals took Mike Antonio in the third round of the First-Year Player Draft, they made him George Washington’s highest draft choice since Manny Ramirez went 13th overall to the Cleveland Indians. The Trojans professional pipeline doesn’t end there: junior right-hander Yael Regalado could go high next year, and we expect the same for catcher Nelson Rodriguez, as impressive a sophomore the city has to offer.
Next: Season over
6. Morris (16-3) (6)
At this pace, Morris might be in the midst of a dynasty in two years. Just two seasons ago, the Bulldogs were PSAL Class B champions. Last year, they reached the second round, and this spring, it was the quarterfinals. Coach Rich Corbo has done wonderful things with the burgeoning Bronx program in a short period of time. We expect even more strides to be taken next year. Plus, the fiery Corbo has catcher Smailit Feliz, center fielder Yoan Delarosa, and closer Jose Quelix all back.
Next: Season over
7. Norman Thomas (16-3) (7)
Keep an eye on right-hander Jose Medina. While the fire-balling junior struggled with his control in the Tigers’ quarterfinal loss to James Madison, he has an electric power arm. How electric? Norman Thomas coach Nerva Jean Pierre joked he would give him No. 23 – the same number worn by former star Mariel Checo, who is now in the New York Yankees farm system and pitched Thomas to its first and only PSAL Class A title last season.
Next: Season over
8. Grand Street Campus (18-1) (8)
When the Wolves’ young talent is mentioned, the talk usually surrounds sophomore shortstop Jose Cuas and freshmen outfielders Williams Jerez and Basael McDonald. Sophomore right-hander Willy Santana is every bit as important to the program’s future. He was spectacular this year, going 7-0 with a sub-1.00 ERA. Santana will need to be just as effective as the staff ace next spring for Grand Street to advance past the quarterfinals, the point this campaign came to a close.
Next: Season over
9. John Adams (16-2) (9)
Glenn Beyer doesn’t received enough recognition for his work at John Adams. The longtime coach always does more with less. Take this spring, for instance, into account, when Beyer led Adams to a 15-1 league mark, good for tops in Queens A Mid-West, and one strike shy of the quarterfinals.
Next: Season over
10. Riverdale Kingsbridge (21-0) (10)
Although coach John Reingold didn’t mention anything, we expect to see the Tigers move up to ‘A’ next spring. With four impact underclassmen – sophomores Jason Araujo, Bryan Suarez, and Matt Arias, and freshman Sage Cheren – RKA not only can compete, it can reach the playoffs, too. There is, after all, nothing left to accomplish in the ‘B’ after winning the title last Friday.
Next: Season over
New: none
Dropped out: none
On the bubble: Beacon (13-5), Cardozo (15-3), Fort Hamilton (13-4), Francis Lewis (13-5), John F. Kennedy (12-6), McKee/Staten Island Tech (15-4), Midwood (11-7), South Bronx (9-9), Stuyvesant (11-7), and Telecommunications (13-4)
