(This is the third installment of the “Up Next” Series Powered by The Yard Sports Academy. Previously we featured Andrew Koshy and Josh Knoth.)
Young stud alert 🚨
Sebastian Lippman (Plainview JFK 2024) sitting 84-86 MPH pic.twitter.com/U9tkENfQ4h
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 8, 2020
Often times as a scout or reporter you attend a showcase or tournament and are underwhelmed with the product on the field. As a scout, it’s easy to stay quiet and walk away if you’re bored. As a reporter, you have to try to make something out of nothing. Being that I am both, I have to walk that fine line of telling the truth as a scout but generating buzz as a reporter.
Other times, it’s really easy.
An example of this was on November 8 at Prospect Sports for a pitcher & catcher showcase run by Blue Chip Prospects. This event featured about 40 pitchers, ranging in age of high school freshmen to senior. While several players performed extremely well, the one that stood out most to me was one of the youngest players there.
Freshmen Sebastian Lippman of Plainview JFK is a 14-year-old with mechanics and velocity well beyond his years. The hard-throwing youngster sat 84-86 MPH, more advanced than almost any other player in attendance and certainly more than his peers. He plays summer ball for the Body Armor Titans and was dominant this summer on the mound. As the closer, he pitched 15.1 innings this summer, allowing just three hits while striking out 30 and not allowing a run. That will play.
Entering 2021, he will be given a shot to play at the varsity level. Plainview JFK has another stud in Dylan Banner, and that duo has the potential to rejuvenate the program back to their peak of 2018 when Mark Faello and Tyler Marinaccio were dominating and leading the Hawks to back-to-back conference titles.
I had a chance to speak with Sebastian and here’s what he had to say…
Who are some people that have had a positive influence on your career?
Some people that have had a positive influence on my baseball career include my dad – who practices with me all the time. He rushes home from a hard day at work to make sure he has enough daylight to play with me. My mom takes up a lot of her time taking me to a lot of my baseball games and practices after her long days. My coaches throughout the years have pushed me to be the best that I can be. They have put me in spots to succeed and shine.
Who is your favorite player in Major League Baseball and why?
I love watching Mike Trout because he is the ultimate hustle guy despite having all the talent and being a 5-tool player. I also admire Mariano Rivera because I can see parts of me in him and I wish I could’ve seen more of him. He performed best in the toughest spots in games.
Do you work with any private instructors?
I hit at Max Effort with Brad Jackson. He has helped me with the mental aspect of hitting as well as the physical things. I train at LIFT with Ryan Glueckert who has taught me to never be too high or too low which has helped the mental aspect of pitching. He also teaches me how to take care of my body in the way I eat, stretch and train. I also train with John Dunlop with WOKE AF. He always stresses the importance of form, my diet and being a good person.
Can you talk about your experience playing with the Body Armor Titans and some teammates you’ve grown close with?
Playing for the Body Armor Titans over the last three years has been a great experience. I’ve been lucky enough to have great coaches including Brian Anderson, Brendan Sullivan, Andrew Aschettino, Jim McGowan and Gregg Sarra. I have formed great relationships with my teammates. I want to give a special thanks to my catchers; Tyler Cook and Drew McGowan, who push me to be the best I can be on the mound.
How would you evaluate your performance this season?
I thought my hitting this year was not as good as I would have liked it to be so I will work extra hard on my swing and timing. I will continue to train and improve my physical fitness and continue to work on my flexibility and ankle mobility this off-season.
When did you experience the biggest gain in velocity?
I experienced the biggest gain in velocity over the last two years. In the winter after 12u, I topped out at 71 MPH. The following fall I hit 78 MPH. Just recently I got clocked at 86 MPH at the showcase at Prospect Sports.
What has been the biggest thrill of your playing career?
The biggest thrill in my baseball career has been when I threw complete game shutouts in back-to-back years in the District Championships for Williamsport. The other thrills in my career have been this interview because it is my first ever. Being able to perform in front of all the college coaches and Axcess Baseball at the Blue Chip Prospects Showcase has also been pretty special to me.
What are your goals for 2021?
I am looking forward to contributing to baseball at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK HS. I plan on improving in all aspects of my game including infield, outfield, pitching, switch hitting and my speed.
Favorite app on your phone?
My favorite apps on my phone are Snapchat and Instagram.
Favorite musical artists?
My favorite musical artists are Lil TJay and Polo G.
Dream car?
My dream car is a Tesla.
Favorite vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is Argentina.
