Liam Stemmler (Bayport-Blue Point 2023) sitting 77-79 touching 80 MPH pic.twitter.com/HiFoXVey1M
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 16, 2019
(We are bringing back our popular series titled ‘Up Next’ which highlights the next wave of superstars on Long Island. All of the players have been recommended by coaches and players, and they are all yet to appear in a varsity game. We can confidently say they will soon. Last week we highlighted Jayden Stroman, which you can read here. The series is powered by The Yard Sports Academy, you can check them out here.)
How does a small school like Bayport-Blue Point rattle of a stretch of 22 consecutive seasons of making the postseason even in a big lacrosse community?
Aside from having a coach like Jim Moccio at the helm, they also have had some freakishly talented athletes step on their field. The key cog in their consecutive State Champion teams was Paul Gibson Award winner Jack Piekos–who went 11-0 during their undefeated season in 2013.
Another player that has begin to turn some heads among the Long Island baseball crowd is 2023 graduate Liam Stemmler.
“Stud,” said the coach of the 13U Body Armor Titans Brian Anderson. “He’s a big kid that runs well and has a varsity arm from the outfield right now. He is very good on the mound and has exceptional power for his age with a very advanced approach at the plate,” he added.
The numbers in his 2019 season were staggering for the 6’1 190 lb masher.
A triple slash line of .475/.670/.915 is equal to a 1.585 OPS. I had a chance to watch him at Blue Chip Prospects showcase back in July and there was no question he was among the two best players in attendance.
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
What has been the biggest thrill of your baseball career?
My favorite moment of my baseball career so far happened this past summer in Myrtle Beach, SC in the Triple Crown tournament. We had to play 4 games in a day and in the third, we played a very good Oklahoma Mudcats team that we beat by a score of 7-6. It was a great game from start to finish. We were the underdogs going into the game and we came up on top. I have never felt more proud of my team as I was walking off of a baseball field. We worked so hard in the off-season and earlier in the year for that specific game and us walking off the field with a win made us feel that it was all worth it. Although we lost the next game, we all walked out of the complex feeling proud of ourselves that night. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates or coaches to spend that tournament with.
Do you have any hobbies outside of playing baseball?
Right now, my favorite hobby is fishing. I enjoy fishing with some of my teammates from my summer travel team. I enjoy doing that in all the free time that I can get. My former major hobby was collecting baseball cards. When I was about 9, I started my collection and it built up very quick. Today, I have over 75,000 baseball cards in a room that my parents built for me in my basement.
What’s your favorite app on your phone?
I don’t have too many apps on my phone. However, if I’m on my way to a baseball tournament or I’m traveling for a family trip, I’ll usually play Tap Sports Baseball.
Who’s your favorite musical artist?
If I had to choose a favorite artist, it would be Travis Scott. I like a bunch of his older songs. Some of my favorites include STARGAZING and Goosebumps. Although he is my favorite artist, I do enjoy to listen to other music from different genres.
Who are your biggest role models in life?
