This is the seventh installment of the popular series “Up Next” Powered by the Yard Sports Academy in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we featured Centereach OF Logan Norman, Garden City LHP Gabe Beschloss , Connetquot INF Ryan Kiendle, Clarke MIF Nick Berasti, Miller Place SS Alex Strickland and Pat-Med OF Robbie Melo. Make sure to check out the Yard Sports Academy here.
Power is a highly-sought after commodity in Major League Baseball right now. Pitchers are better than ever and they’re trained to go full bore in short spurts knowing there’s always another reliever ready to go.
While it’s hard to string together three or four straight singles to score a run – extra-base hits are the antidote to that. Rip a couple doubles or a long ball and you’re on the board.
In our region, power at the amateur level is hard to come by. Very few legit power hitters are on Long Island, but one of them is Holy Trinity junior Kyle Kozlowski. The East Meadow native is a 6’4 230 lb first baseman that was just ranked by PG as the top first baseman in the class. He had a great summer playing for the LI Elite Prospects, and he will be looking to help turn around the Holy Trinity program as they enter 2022 with a ton of promising young talent.
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
Kyle Kozlowski (Holy Trinity 2023) had a huge weekend in the Blue Chip Tournament – going 5-9 with 3 BB, a single, a double, 2 triples and this mammoth grand slam in the Championship game to help deliver a 4-1 win for LI Elite Prospects pic.twitter.com/zJqti54cZh
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 21, 2021
Can you tell us about your time with the LI Elite Prospects and why you enjoy playing with them?
I enjoyed playing with such a talented group of players, I had a lot of fun on-and-off the field with them. Coach Quiroz is awesome to play for – he knows how to motivate me and get the best out of me. And it is great to know at LI Elite they are always trying to get better. Also, Rob Savarese is 100 percent dedicated to our team and is looking for ways to make the team better. It’s nice to have a facility to go to when I want to get some work in. I would also like to use this opportunity to wish all my 2022 teammates good luck at the next level and to my 2023 teammates – our time is now.
Why did you decide to attend Holy Trinity? Who are some impact players we can expect to hear about in 2022?
I would have to thank the freshman basketball coach Keith Long for introducing me to the school and after I met Coach Luisi and the Athletic Director, Mr. Hardhardt, I knew it was the right place for me. We have a very talented team this year and you should expect to hear about a fellow teammate at LI Elite, Nico Quiroz, had a great summer and I expect him to bring that same intensity during the school season. Other impact players are Brian Zweigbaum, Sebastian Velasquez, Tyler Cook, Nicholas Delvecchio and Sadier Vicioso – who will be the staff ace.
What was the best baseball trip you’ve been on?
When I was in 12u, I went on a week-long trip to Ripken in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was one of those tournaments we ran out of pitching, had a few really good battles and just had a lot of fun.
Who are some influential people in your life?
Two people in my life have influenced me more than any others – my mom and dad. They both guided me to be the best version of myself and to be a better person every day. Without my parents I don’t know where I would be today.
Do you take any private lessons?
I hit with my coach, Dan Luisi at Max Effort and I have also started hitting with coach Greg Thomson at Common Sense Baseball.
What would you like to work on in the offseason?
Nothing specific, I’m pushing myself to get better at every aspect of my game.
What are your goals for 2022?
My main goals next year are to be a leader for my teams both on-and-off the field and to have my college destination set in stone.
Favorite pregame meal?
PB & J , nobody makes it better than my mom.
Favorite pregame hype music?
Pregames I’m a big rock guy, so I listen to AC/DC and Metallica, but postgame I listen to some rap, so I listen to Drake and Future.
Favorite show on Netflix?
I don’t really watch Netflix, but when I have a chance to catch some TV time, I like to watch Law & Order: SVU.
Favorite player in Major League Baseball?
My favorite player in the MLB is Aaron Judge, I love the way he carries himself on-and-off the field, he has one of the best approaches at the plate in the Major. Also, his defensive abilities and his willingness to do whatever it takes to win games. Hopefully, he will be the next captain of the New York Yankees.
