NYC baseball rankings
This just might be Grand Street’s year — after all, the Wolves are the only team that hasn’t been allergic to the coveted spot atop our NYC baseball rankings.
Grand Street remains there after another perfect week. There was, in fact, just one change: Moore Catholic replaced Cardinal Spellman at No. 9.
For the entire rundown, look below:
1. Grand Street Campus (7-1) (Last week: 1)
Ever since that shocking league-opening loss to Midwood, Grand Street Campus has looked like the well-rounded powerhouse many forecasted back in February. The Wolves won the prestigious Monroe Tournament for the second straight year; they knocked off Queens contender Cardozo; and have bludgeoned most of their Brooklyn foes. Even more importantly, Grand Street may be the most balanced team in New York City.
Next: FDR (May 1, 4 p.m. @ Six Diamonds)
2. St. Joseph by the Sea (6-0) (2)
Brian Russell fanned a ridiculous 17 batters in eight innings and Angelo Navetta knocked in Frankie Sconzo for a 1-0 walk-off win over Cardinal Spellman on Sunday. Sea remains undefeated and red hot, also beating Monsignor Farrell twice this week.
Next: Salesian (May 1, 1:30 p.m.)
3. Xaverian (8-0) (3)
Brothers John and Louis DeAngelis accounted for the only runs – they each homered – in a 2-1 win over Archbishop Molloy on Wednesday. Starting pitcher John Pena was strong in that game and Blaise Scerbo, coming back from a sore arm, pitched two flawless innings of relief to close out the victory.
Next: St. Edmund Prep (April 30, 4 p.m. @ American Legion 2)
4. Poly Prep (9-3) (4)
The Blue Devils have hit their stride, winners of six straight and hitting on all cylinders. The lineup has produced on a consistent basis and on the rare occasion it has struggled, the pitching has made up for it — such as Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Riverdale when junior Andrew Zapata tossed a complete-game, one-hitter. Poly Prep can take over the top spot in the Ivy Prep League on Wednesday when it hosts Fieldston, the only league foe to beat the Brooklyn dynamo in seven years.
Next: Collegiate (Apr. 30, 4:30 p.m.)
5. George Washington (8-1) (5)
The Trojans rebounded from a rare league loss by knocking off CHSAA contender Fordham Prep in the Northeast Elite Tournament and blasting Murry Bergtraum in PSAL action. Despite the setback, George Washington still controls its own destiny in Manhattan A East. The two end-of-year showdowns with co-division leader Norman Thomas will ultimately decide the division crown.
Next: Environmental Studies (Apr. 30, 4 p.m.)
6. Cardozo (9-0) (6)
With nothing but winnable games left on its league schedule, Cardozo just complete its second straight undefeated season in Queens A East. It should translate into a top four seed in the PSAL Class A playoffs – that’s why last week’s 9-8, come-from-behind victory over Queens A West leader John Adams was so important. It likely makes the Judges playoff road easier.
Next: Newtown (Apr. 30, 4 p.m.)
7. Tottenville (7-3) (7)
It wasn’t Mike Sullivan’s fault he was one of the players put on the active roster by school administrators before all the proper paperwork was finished, a miscue that cost the Pirates three wins. But he certainly has been on a mission, with three league wins, an 0.00 ERA, two home runs, eight RBIs and a .471 batting average.
Next: @ New Dorp (Apr. 30, 4 p.m.)
8. Fordham Prep (8-0) (8)
Vinny Capone drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to give Fordham a thrilling, 4-3 win over St. Raymond on Sunday night. The Rams are a legitimate city title contender and arguably the hottest team in the city with eight straight wins to start.
Next: All Hallows (May 5, 3:30 p.m. @ Bronxchester LL)
9. Moore Catholic (5-1) (NR)
The only loss Moore has on its record right now is to St. Joseph by the Sea, our No. 2 team. With Shea Spitzbath and John Baggs at the top of the staff and Matt Diorio and company in the lineup, the Mavericks will be an extremely difficult out come playoff time – which is coming soon.
Next: Xavier (May 2, 4 p.m. @ Richmond County Youth Complex)
10. Telecommunications (8-1 (10)
The Yellow Jackets finally face playoff-level competition and hardly blinked. They nearly upset top-ranked Grand Street Campus and edged rival James Madison. Telecom is for real as sophomore ace A.J. Serrano is one of the city’s best young pitchers, freshman Austin Ruiz has emerged as a lethal, middle-of-the-order bat and outfielder Josh Palacios does a little bit of everything.
Next: EBC/Bushwick Leaders (May 1, 4 p.m. @ Ben Vitale Park)
New: Moore Catholic
Dropped out: Cardinal Spellman
On the bubble: James Monroe (9-0), John Adams (8-1), Norman Thomas (8-1) and James Madison (6-1)
