Jason DeCaro following his complete game shutout pic.twitter.com/ST5eBcXaQN
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 26, 2022
When you look at some of the qualities of teams that have won the Catholic League in recent years – it starts with pitching and veteran leadership that can get it done when the chips are down.
During a recent conversation between St. Anthony’s head coach Paul Parsolano and senior Jason Decaro, the two discussed which game of the series the North Carolina-commit would pitch.
In no uncertain terms, Decaro said, “I’m starting on Tuesdays, and we win on Tuesdays.”
It’s that level of confidence that has allowed Decaro to skyrocket up rankings by national publications like Baseball America and become a possible 2023 MLB Draft pick. Simply put, the Friars have “a dude” in Decaro and those around the league certainly are familiar with the 6’6 RHP that has been sitting 91-93 MPH this offseason. “There are no more fastballs in the 80s from him,” said Parsolano.
Parsolano also noted that he has been looking excellent at the plate as well and will bat in the middle of the order. He batted .500 in limited at bats last season. For that reason, Decaro enters the season as the favorite (in my opinion) to win the CHSAA Player of the Year.
The Friars have been knocking on the door for years. They last won the CHSAA in 2000 and that is all the motivation the team needs. They were in the finals in 2019 in this coaching staff’s first year. They know it’s been a longtime since they’ve been on top but they are hungry to change the narrative.
Uncommitted LHP Torin Kassebaum (St. Anthony’s 2024) 82-83 T85. Only pitcher to beat Chaminade this past season pic.twitter.com/C1DOBlwlzf
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 22, 2022
Coach Parsolano really likes what he has on his roster. The duo atop the rotation is outstanding with Decaro and LHP Torin Kassebaum. The 2024 grad was a finalist for the Pitcher of the Year last year. He was the only pitcher to beat Chaminade during the regular season. He pitched 33.2 innings, went 4-2 over 6 starts and compiled a 1.66 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 41 Ks while holding the opposition to a .207 AVG. Since that time, he has made a jump in velocity to 84-86 MPH. As a lefty with superb command, that is an envious combination.
Rounding out the rotation is College of Staten Island-commit Nick Pusinelli, who is coming off a good season in which he made 7 appearances, going 17.2 innings with 19 strikeouts and a .207 opponent AVG.
At the backend of the bullpen, the Friars have a potential fireman in junior Kevin Baez Jr. who possesses many of the intangibles you’d want from a high-leverage reliever.
Kevin Baez (St. Anthony’s 2024) sitting 82 MPH with outstanding command. Father played in the big leagues pic.twitter.com/tFcECRK6Gx
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 28, 2022
Back tracking to the opening line of veteran leadership, Coach Parsolano really likes the culture that the senior class has instilled – especially captain Teddy Valentino. The All-League 3B has done a great job of galvanizing the group and creating a confident group that is all on the same page and following their lead.
Behind the dish, the Friars have sophomore Phil Mazzola who got plenty of playing time as a freshman serving primarily out of the DH spot. This season, he will be the everyday catcher. He possesses major power, great plate discipline (led the team in walks with the least amount of strikeouts among the starters) and will be in the middle of the lineup.
Philip Mazzola C 2025 #uncommitted crushes a 2 strike breaking ball deep to Left field for a ground rule double. #17/18Ubluechipprospects @PGMidAtlantic @axcessbaseball @PBRNewYork @TeamFrancisco pic.twitter.com/DKsR2AJSLF
— Philip Mazzola (@PhilipMazzola28) August 2, 2022
CF Caleb Aurelien (Swarthmore-commit) has a shot to be named Player of the Year for the CHSAA on the basketball court, as he’s averaging 19 points per game. He is an excellent outfielder and they will be counting on him to patrol the vast outfield.
Other impact returning players are senior Kurt Johnson (SUNY Poly-commit), senior middle infielder Mike Mugno (Catholic-commit) and Dan Scubla (Western Connecticut-commit).
The obvious challenge for the Friars will be replacing their graduating players from the 2022 class. They graduated 2nd team All-Long Island SS and Player of the Year finalist Jack Vallario. He was the 2021 Player of the Year and had one of the best careers for the Friars in recent memory. He is currently at Fordham University. Replacing a SS with his offensive prowess is no easy task. They also graduated Catcher of the Year finalist Rob Vitale (Rollins College), infielder Alex Celeiro (St. Thomas Aquinas), OF Lance Berger (Utica), Declan Sullivan (Hood), 1B Taj Farmer an Quintin Vizza. All told, they had 14 seniors, six All-League players on their team that went 16-9 overall (14-4 league play).
This offseason, the team has been working out at Prospect Performance on Saturdays and Sundays. The program has grown in numbers from 100 when they took over to 140 this winter. That includes players from grades 9-12.
“All the summer programs do an awesome job with their winter workouts, so my job is to get to know the players and make sure the pitchers are ready for 60 pitches by opening day.”
Coach Parsolano has the players hit in their positional groups, that way they build camaraderie, while also competing with the players that they will be competing with for playing time.
Ultimately, the goal is clear. The Friars want to compete for a championship, and with their talent pool, it is not an unrealistic goal.
“We are swamped with real baseball players from 9th grade up and they are pushing each other.” Parsolano went on to add that “we want to be one of the preeminent high school teams. I want teams to look up to us as the model, and to play the game the right way.”
They will begin their season against Kellenberg as they look to make their goals become a reality. They will also take on Plainview JFK on May 13 at Allen Park in Farmingdale in conjunction with Corey’s Promise to raise money for pediatric cancer.
