Basketball season is over yet Brooklyn still reigns. Did we miss something?
After top-ranked George Washington, our next three teams hail from Brooklyn: defending NYSAISAA champion Poly Prep, loaded Grand Street Campus and CHSAA Class AA winner Xaverian. These teams are bound to change frequently, so be sure to check back frequently.
For the complete rundown of our preseason NYC baseball readings, read below.
1. George Washington
Ranked nationally in various publications, the Trojans are so deep it’s scary. Even with center fielder Fernelys Sanchez sufferiing a serious ankle injury that could cost him his senior season, George Washington is an overwhelming favorite to repeat as PSAL champion as stud catcher Nelson Rodriguez, speedy shortstop and leadoff man Randy Rodriguez and tri-aces Reynaldo Hernandez, Edwin Corniel and Kevin Torres lead the way.
2. Poly Prep
Between Andrew Zapata, Phil Maldari, Morgan Grey and a typically stout defense, Poly Prep isn’t going to give up many runs this spring. If the lineup, fueled by Maldari, third baseman Matt Coposio and catcher Rob Calabrese, can manufacture a few runs, the five-time Ivy Prep League champion isn’t going to lose much, if at all this spring.
3. Grand Street Campus
The Wolves have unfinished business to take care of this spring. They were expected to reach the PSAL Class A final last year, only to get swept out of the semifinals by Tottenville. With virtually its entire core back – such as Maryland-bound shortstop Jose Cuas, pitchers Alex Cuas and Willy Santana, catcher Ernesto Lopez and center fielder Basael McDonald – in addition to Xaverian transfer Kevin Martir, the pieces are in place to get past the final four.
4. Xaverian
Blaise Scerbo, John Pena, Frank Kaplan and Brian Rosa lead a deep pitching staff that Xaverian will depend on as it looks to win a second straight CHSAA Class AA title. Look for the speed of Boston College-bound Gabe Hernandez and Julian Lanfranco to jump start the Clippers.
5. Tottenville
The Pirates don’t rebuild, they reload. Despite graduating a large chunk of their starting lineup, Tottenville remains a city title contender behind a trio of Division I commits – pitcher Vin Aiello (Rider), catcher John Giakas (FDU) and center fielder Joe Sessa (Iona College) – and uncommitted staff ace Michael Sullivan, a hard-throwing southpaw coming off a sterling junior campaign.
6. All Hallows
Shortstop Stephen Alemais is one of the top juniors in the city and he’ll also act as All Hallows’ closer, like he did during the team’s run to the CHSAA Class AA championship last year. Jayson Reyes will be the ace of the staff with the graduation of James Norwood, who is now at St. Louis.
7. Fordham Prep
Three Division I commits – shortstop Anthony Velazquez (Virginia Tech), first baseman Jack Sexton (Holy Cross) and left fielder Steve Fondu (Furman) – will lead a Fordham Prep team that has high hopes. Pitching, though, will be the team’s calling card, led by Sean McNamara and Jack Becker.
8. Cardozo
Adrian Castano and Connor Doyle are as good a 1-2 punch as there is atop any rotation in the city, Nicanor Luna is a heavy-hitting shortstop and coach Ron Gorecki has turned Cardozo into one of the city’s elite programs in a short period of time. The Judges are a legit title contender this spring.
9. Archbishop Molloy
Jack Curran never hypes up his teams and this year was no different. But the legendary coach, entering his 54th season in the dugout, likes this group, especially its defense and plethora of arms, led by Evansville-bound Jonathan Ramon, Rosario DiLorenzo, Greg Boyle and a host of others.
10. William Bryant
The Owls finally solved their late-season woes last spring, sharing the Queens A West crown with rival John Adams and nearly upsetting George Washington in the PSAL Class A quarterfinals. Now there are expectations – and the talent to match – for Bryant to make serious noise in late May, and possibly even get to June.
On the bubble: Xavier, James Madison, Moore Catholic, St. Francis Prep, Lehman, Manhattan Center and Beacon
