Since MLB condensed the amateur draft in 2020, it has severely impacted the northeast region. That does not figure to change any time soon with the implementation of the 20-round draft. Historically, most Long Island players would be selected on Day 3 (Round 11-40) which just means there’s less of an opportunity for the local players to have a chance.
With that said, there was still some that had their dreams fulfilled this week. Let’s break it down:
Round 10 – Milwaukee Brewers – Brian Fitzpatrick (St. Anthony’s 2018, Rutgers University)
6’7 LHP Brian Fitzpatrick (St. Anthony’s/Rutgers) is back from Tommy John and up to 93 MPH pic.twitter.com/9VxNoGiDIj
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 11, 2020
Fitz is a 6’7 southpaw that dominated the Cape Cod League this summer. He allowed no runs over 19 innings for the Brewster Whitecaps against the top collegiate players in the country. Without a doubt that rocketed his value. He has Tommy John but it fully back and his best baseball may still be ahead of him as he only pitched 45 innings at Rutgers over 3 seasons. On paper, this is the type of player that would have an excellent chance to move through the system quick and make it to the big leagues in 3 seasons. The Brewers are on the cutting edge of developing pitchers. If they turned Corbin Burnes from the NL’s worst pitcher in 2019 to the Cy Young winner in 2021, what can they do with Fitz?
Round 16 – Atlanta Braves – E.J. Exposito (St. John the Baptist 2019, Long Island University)
Here’s the solo shot by Exposito in the first inning pic.twitter.com/gOzmTT2DWF
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 6, 2022
First off, not a bad week for St. John the Baptist to have Logan O’Hoppe appear in the Futures Game on Sunday and then E.J. – who was on the same team as Logan in 2018 – gets drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 16th round. Exposito was originally committed to LIU Post before deciding to attend NY Tech. He was off to a great start to his collegiate career before the season was shut down in 2020. After Tech ended the program, he transferred to LIU who was now a Division-I program. He started every inning of every game for the NEC Champs and smacked 13 home runs. He’s incredibly athletic, has plus power for the position and his makeup is off-the-charts. He’s very easy to root for.
Round 20 – Pittsburgh Pirates – Joshua Loeschorn (Long Island University)
If you’ve followed Axcess at all since 2019, you are familiar with Loeschorn who was 10-0 on LIU Post in 2019 during their last season as a Division-II program. We named him Axcess Baseball’s Pitcher of the Year. He transitioned well into the ace role for LIU after their switch to the NEC. This season he was 11-3 with a 3.06 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 97.0 IP. He led Long Island pitchers in strikeouts from wire-to-wire.
Undrafted Free Agent – Philadelphia Phillies – Matt Alifano (Center Moriches 2019, Adelphi University)
Matt Alifano’s first collegiate HR was a grand slam. The sophomore is batting .419 on the season pic.twitter.com/b3Z6yd4K9S
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 29, 2021
The Phillies were interested in the Center Moriches grad all season and it is a surprise he was not selected. Alifano was among the best Division-II players in the nation for the past two seasons and was named All-American this season. It is disappointing that he was not given the chance to hear his name called. Regardless, he will begin his professional career with the Phillies after agreeing to terms on a contract yesterday. Alifano is a relentless competitor and plays an exceptional third base (only four errors this season) while providing outstanding production with the bat. He batted .394 in 2021 and .401 this season while being an extra-base machine. From being on the undefeated 2019 Center Moriches team to professional baseball, it’s been quite a stretch of 4 years for Matt.
