Despite coming off a season that was not up to their usual standard, Wheatley head coach Paul Paino’s expectations for this upcoming season have not changed one bit.
“We’d one six championships in ten years, but then we had an off season last year, where we didn’t even make the playoffs. We missed it by one game. So we’re looking to get back on track,” Paino said. “We certainly hope to. We have a good group of kids coming up.”
First and foremost, Paino will be counting on his two senior captains to lead the team, if they are going to go get to where they hope to go. Both named Nick, one Nick Sampogna, the other Nick Papageorge.
“They’re going to be the team leaders,” said Paino.
“Nick Papageorge is an infielder and a middle of the lineup hitter. He’s one of the better players on Long Island. He hits for power, he hits for average, he could be a starting pitcher, but he plays as our closer. He throws in the upper 80s, so if you need three or six outs in a clutch situation somewhere, he’s your man,” said the head coach.
Papageorge has his coach’s ultimate confidence, as Paino said his star “can literally hit a home run any time up,” and he “has “more power than anybody I’ve seen in a long time.” At 6 foot three and 190 pounds, he poses a unique, intimidating threat, and should be one of his team’s contributor’s on both sides of the ball.
As for Sampogna, he is perhaps the most versatile player on Paino’s squad. Playing both shortstop and center field, Sampogna, according to his coach, hits tremendously.
“He has some power, but he’s a consistent .500 hitter,” said Wheatley’s manager.
And while Paino doesn’t know if he’ll pitch this year, he knows he certainly can. In terms of both leadership and on field production, these are the guys Piano expects to count on most this year.
Coming off an injury last year, Matt McCleary can play any position, can catch extremely well, and has experience as a starting pitcher as well.
“We’re going to rely on him heavily in that role,” said Paino. The other key pitcher Paino will rely on is Eddie Kasparian, who “is very efficient; if anybody is going to pitch seven innings within the pitch limit, it’s probably going to be Eddie.”
Kasperian likes to attack the strike zone early, and can get guys out quickly. His skillset to eat up innings, and to pitch to contact is incredibly valuable in high school baseball because of the pitch limit.
Frankie Asaro also stands to be a key returning player, having played for his team since 9th grade, is expected to create havoc at the top of the lineup, and set the table for the sluggers coming up behind him. He is versatile, trustworthy, and has the coveted veteran experience so many coaches crave in key situations.
“He’s a middle infielder, he’s played a lot of ball… he’s a top of the lineup hitter, he’s a consistent infielder. He can play shortstop, second base, or third base,” said Paino. “He’s a legitimate baseball player with a lot of experience.”
Elsewhere in the lineup, Brandon Behar who plays outfield, and may fill in to pitch on occasion, is someone coach expects to be able to trust, along with fellow returning starters Lucas Chiodi, who is himself coming off an injury last year, and Jake Meirowitz, who is coming off a promising freshmen year, can “hit, and hit with some power,” according to Wheatley’s head coach.
Wheatley may have played below their previous expectations last season, but that certainly hasn’t dampened expectations for this upcoming campaign, at least not in their head coach’s mind.
“I like what I see coming up,” said Paino. “They all look good to me. I think we’re going to have a good year.”
