PSAL baseball rankings
This is our favorite time of the year in the PSAL season. The contenders have separated themselves from the pretenders. Just eight teams remain in the PSAL Class A playoffs; by next Sunday, we will be down to two teams.
Not only does it set up for an exciting week of playoff baseball, but our rankings will finally have some movement a week from now. With the top eight seeds all prevailing, not much has changed.
For an entire rundown on the playoffs and what to expect over the next few days, read below:
1. Grand Street Campus (17-1) (Last week: 1)
It’s put up or shut up time for the loaded Wolves. This team has been here before, clearly one of the most talented teams in the city, featuring top arms and an elite lineup only to fall short of the finals. It won’t be easy for Grand Street to get over the hump as it first meets dangerous James Monroe in the quarterfinals followed by most likely Tottenville, its playoff nemesis, in the semifinals.
Next: No. 8 James Monroe, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Lane)
2. Cardozo (18-0) (2)
We questioned the PSAL seeding committee giving Cardozo the spot because we felt Grand Street deserved it, but the Judges have proven thus far they that’s where they belong. Cardozo was the only team in the opening round to register a run-rule victory and it took care of No. 16 Newtown, 9-2, in the Round of 16. It will get much harder Tuesday when Adrian Castano, Connor Doyle and Co. meet Brooklyn A West champion Telecommunications, the eighth seed, in the quarterfinals.
Next: No. 7 Telecommunications, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Old Boys High Field)
3. Tottenville (17-3) (3)
We felt the Pirates pitching staff was good back in March, but not quite this good? In 17 league contests, they have allowed just 10 runs – 10!. That’s flat-out scary. Co-aces Vin Aiello and Mike Sullivan receive most of the recognition, but coach Tom Tierney Jr. has plenty of options in other top arms like Matt Tanzi, Thomas Scarangello, Ryan Patterson and Joseph DiBenedetto.
Next: No. 6 John Adams, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Lafayette)
4. George Washington (16-2) (4)
The odds were long Fernelys Sanchez would return this spring after fracturing his fibula. Yet the speedy centerfielder, considered one of the city’s top prospects, made it back for the playoffs and had four RBIs to lead the Trojans to a 11-1 rout of 13th-seeded New Dorp. Defending champion George Washington will have its work cut out with them in the quarterfinals as it meets rival Norman Thomas – the two teams split Manhattan A East after splitting a pair of matchups.
Next: No. 5 Norman Thomas, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Grand Street Campus)
5. Norman Thomas (16-2) (5)
Luis Monell gambled and rolled a pair of 7’s. Rather than use one of his top two pitchers on Friday, the Norman Thomas coach went with No. 3 Luis Zorrilla and he pitched brilliant in a 7-2 win over James Madison. Now he has co-aces Jeffrey Ledesma and Garbin Villar ready to take on rival George Washington in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Next: No. 4 George Washington, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Grand Street Campus)
6. John Adams (16-2) (6)
The Spartans’ opponent – Tottenville –on Tuesday in the quarterfinals likely has the best pitching staff in the PSAL, but Adams isn’t far behind. That was proven in the Queens school’s two playoffs contests as it allowed just a combined two runs in impressive wins over Luperon and John F. Kennedy. Ace Anderson DeLeon will get the ball against the powerhouse Pirates with a chance to add to an already spectacular sophomore season.
Next: No. 3 Tottenville, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Lafayette)
7. Telecommunications (15-3) (8)
This is the point Telecom can’t seem to get past, the quarterfinals. Coach Ed D’Alessio and the Yellows Jackets have been here six times before, but have lost on each occasions. They will have ace A.J. Serrano, one of the top sophomore pitchers in the city, on the mound against top-seeded Cardozo on Tuesday, but it will be up to their lineup to produce some runs for the Brooklyn school to finally advance.
Next: No. 2 Cardozo, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Old Boys High Field)
8. James Monroe (15-3) (9)
Mike Turo has done a phenomenal job this spring. He has just two seniors, middle infielders Luis Santini and Ramger Iglesias, lost his top run producer Braian Angelina to academic ineligibility and ace Ricky Parra to an elbow injury. Monroe still won Bronx A East by a wide margin and is still alive, however, and will be a live underdog in the quarterfinals Tuesday against top-ranked Grand Street.
Next: No. 1 Grand Street Campus, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Lane)
9. James Madison (14-4) (7)
The Knights were right there, in the hunt for an upset of Norman Thomas. Then the sixth inning happened, a five-run frame that ended Madison’s hopes. The Brooklyn A East dynamo will have a lot of holes to fill next year, namely top pitcher Matt Zalon, Joe Cali and Mike Fitzpatrick.
Next: Season complete
10. Manhattan Center (12-6) (10)
The season didn’t end as the Rams hoped, in the second round Saturday afternoon to Tottenville, but the future is bright in East Harlem. Sure, Sacred-Heard-bound shortstop/pitcher Jesus Medina graduates, but sophomores Alex Sanchez, Jerry Liang and Michael Pena will only get better and will be the team’s core the next two years.
Next: Season complete
New: none
Dropped out: none
On the bubble: Beacon (14-4), Midwood (10-7), John F. Kennedy (12-6), Lehman (11-6), Stuyvesant (11-6), New Dorp (13-7), Newtown (13-5), and William Bryant (12-6)
