The Top Tier Aviators are a northeast travel program under the Top Tier Baseball umbrella. They have 11 teams within the Aviators program and there are 150 teams nationally. In 2022, the East End Aviators, one of the more competitive organizations on Long Island became the NY chapter of Top Tier, elevating their brand.
Today I was down at their facility, as a few of their top players at the younger levels were invited to tryout for the Top Tier Select, which will be a collection of the best Top Tier players in the country and compete in a few tournaments. It’s up to each of the coaches to hand select the top players to send.
The players will held down to Lake Point. GA on March 22. From the 14u team, there are five players. Here’s what organizational head Jason Galbraith had to say about each of them:
- Jack LaGrange – RHP
“Jack is a right-handed pitcher that throws four pitches that all work. He has extremely good command and mound presence. I work with him every week. Nothing bothers him on the mound and he is a strike throwing machine.”
- Cameron Garcia – Catcher
“He’s a catcher and a good hitter. He’s worked extremely hard the past year. He’s coming back from an arm injury but he’s really turned it on.”
- Tyler Schelmety – 1B/RHP
6’0 250 lb 1B Tyler Schelmety (Pat-Med) is in 8th grade. Already putting up exit velos in the low 90s pic.twitter.com/C4fq7eYg83
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 20, 2024
“He hit a home run in his first game on the big field at Baseball Heaven in 13u. He hit it out to left center. He also hit an opposite field home run with a wood bat. He’s had an exit velocity of 91 MPH. He’s a big kid, he’s about 5’10 lbs 250 lbs. He’s also upper 70s on the mound.
- Colin Joy – RHP
“Colin is a right-handed pitcher, and he can get it up to 82 MPH.”
- Gabe Skoira – SS
“Gabe is a middle infielder with a good stick. He’s also the No. 2 pitcher on the team.”
They are also sending a player from their 13u team. Tommy Herbst, to try out for the 13u Select team and a 12-year-old, Logan Lamberson, to try out for the 12u team.
I asked the players a series of questions and here’s what they had to say:
Jack:
Vinny: Can you tell me what it means to you to represent Top Tier on a national level?
Jack: “I’m very excited and I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent New York.”
Vinny: What has been the most exciting moment of your career?
Jack: I threw a no-hitter in a tournament and we won the tournament.
Vinny: Who’s your favorite player in Major League Baseball?
Jack: Favorite player is Mike Trout. I adore him, I have posters of him in my room, he’s my favorite player.
Vinny: Who’s the coach who has had the biggest impact on your career?
Jack: Definitely Coach Jay and Coach Anzalone. Jay’s been my mentor for a while and Coach Anzalone has opened up new opportunities for me,=.
Tyler:
Vinny: Tyler could you tell us what it means to represent Top Tier on a national level?
Tyler: “It’s really exciting, it’s going to be on a better competitive level of baseball in our age group.
Vinny: What’s been the most exciting moment of your baseball career?
Tyler: I think it’s my first home run on the big field with a drop 3.
Vinny: Who’s been a coach that’s had a big impact on your career?
Tyler: I would say Coach Anzalone. I’m a first baseman, so was he, so I feel like I can relate to him and look up to him.
Vinny: Who are your favorite players in Major League Baseball?
Tyler: Manny Machado and Mike Trout
Vinny: Goals for 2024?
Tyler: Get better, be a better baseball player, hopefully do good in Georgia and get recognition.
Cameron:
Vinny: Could you tell us what it means to represent Top Tier on a national level?
Cameron: It’s an honor. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to go tryout for the national team.
Vinny: Who’s some people that have had an impact on your career?
Cameron: Coach Imbriani is one of the biggest reasons I’m going to this national event. Coach Jay and Coach Anzalone had a big impact as well.
Vinny: Most exciting moment of your playing career?
Cameron: Probably my first home run back in 11u
Who are some players in Major League Baseball you try to model your game after?
Cameron: Yadier Molina. I try to model my game after him.
Logan:
Vinny: Can you tell us what it means to be selected to represented Top Tier on a national level?
Logan: It’s very nice because you know how much you can do in life and in baseball.
Vinny: Who are some coaches that have had a big impact on your career?
Logan: Coach Herbst. He’s very nice, he’s a good coach and he trains us very hard so we can get to where we need to be.
Vinny: What’s been the most exciting moment of your career?
Logan: Cooperstown. I hit a grand slam, that was very exciting.
Vinny: Favorite player in Major League Baseball?
Logan: Aaron Judge. He’s someone I can look up to. Any time I’m feeling down I’ll just watch baseball.
Colin:
Vinny: Can you tell us what it means to you to represent Top Tier on a national level?
Colin: I’m honored because I get to play against higher competition and I get to really show who I am on the baseball field.
Vinny: What’s been the most exciting moment of your baseball career?
Colin: When I was pitching in the Championship against Team Francisco and I threw a complete game one-hitter.
Vinny: Who is your favorite player in Major League Baseball?
Colin: Jacob deGrom
Vinny: Who are some coaches that have had a big impact on your career?
Colin: Probably Coach Anzalone. He doesn’t just develop me physically but also mentally.
Vinny: Goals for 2024?
Colin: To be one of the top ranked pitchers on Long Island.
Tommy:
Vinny: Can you tell me what it means to be selected to represent Top Tier on a national level?
Tommy: It feels great. I get to represent my team and show myself around the world.
Vinny: Who are some coaches that have had an impact on your career?
Tommy: Coach Herbst, Coach Travis and Coach Anzalone.
Vinny: Favorite player in Major League Baseball?
Tommy: Aaron Judge
Vinny: What’s been the most exciting moment of your career?
Tommy: Probably when I hit my first career HR
