Nick Grande (Smithtown West 2016) takes a two-strike pitch and drives it for a single. He was named All-American in 2018 after compiling a .377/.468/.560 slash line with 32 stolen bases pic.twitter.com/nLyTqy8WDz
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 24, 2018
It’s been six years since their improbable run to the College World Series, but the “Omaha Effect” still has a positive impact on the Stony Brook baseball program.
When you look around the field, you see talented players that may have previously opted to attend powerhouse programs in other parts of the nation had the Sea Wolves not boosted their value with that incredible 2012 season.
Their run of sending players to the professional ranks continued in 2018 when 3B Bobby Honeyman and closer Aaron Pinto were selected by the Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians, respectively.
Honeyman slashed .336/..370/.460 in his first minor league at age-22 while Pinto compiled a 1.95 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .198 AVG.
“I couldn’t be more proud of how they showed themselves,” said Head Coach Matt Senk. “Honeyman finished runner-up for the batting title in the Northwest League. Pinto finished with a sub 2.00 ERA and sub .200 opponent AVG. They opened some eyes and made themselves legitimate prospects,” said Senk.
Their current roster features a few other potential prospects but–more importantly–players that can be difference-makers and help them make a run at the America East championship.
Leading the offensive charge is junior SS Nick Grande. The Smithtown West grad put himself on the national radar with an outstanding season, culminating in being named All-American. As a sophomore, he batted .377 with a robust .468 OBP and .560 SLG. He scored 59 runs, smacked 6 HR and drove in 28 runs. He added 32 stolen bases for good measure.
Fellow classmate Mike Wilson, who was selected by the Boston Red Sox coming out of high school, led the team in RBI with 40 and batted .293. He is a left-handed hitting outfielder that will also have a chance to get drafted if he continues to put up big power numbers.
Senk also cited Chris Montes, who was named to the All-Star team of the prestigious North Woods league, as well as Chris Hamilton, who was an All-Star in the Great Lakes, and Brandon Alamo who hit 4 HR as impact bats they will be counting on this season.
The pitching staff is experienced, and will be looking to improve on last year’s season in which they struggled to a 4.84 team ERA. The rotation will feature three reliable upperclassmen in Bret Clarke, who was the 2016 America East Rookie of the Year, Greg Marino and Brian Herrmann–who won our 2017 Rookie of the Year.
Clarke has garnered plenty of interest, as his fastball has been sitting 92-93 MPH with a plus-slider from a low 3/4 arm slot. Marino and Herrmann were both workhorses last season, combining for 165.1 IP.
Another potential starter is LHP Jared Milch. He is a 6’4″ southpaw that transferred from the College of San Mateo in California. Armed with a fastball in the upper 80s, he is another draft-eligible pitcher that may get a shot at professional baseball.
Aaron Glickstein, who went 10-0 for Hills West in 2014 before undergoing Tommy John Surgery, appears to be back at full strength. He compiled a 3.22 ERA last season over 44.2 IP in relief, winning all three of his decisions.
Senk noted he’s been impressed with 6’5″ RHP Sam Turcotte, who hails from Ontario, Canada. I was impressed with freshman RHP Ben Fero today at practice, who touched 90 MPH and had great command to go along with it.
I will be curious how they choose to utilize two Long Island freshmen–Kyle Johnson (Newfield) and Liam Pulsipher (Center Moriches). Both are talented players that have already played competitive baseball at the high-levels and should make a case to be impact players in their careers.
Senk certainly knows talent when he sees it. The Head Coach has won 803 games since taking over in 1991. He has sent dozens of players to professional baseball and is well-respected in the college baseball rungs. As always, they will make noise in the America East and compete with the likes of Binghamton, UMASS-Lowell, Hartford and Maine for the championship ring.
