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Ryan Pembroke Takes Over as Mount Sinai Head Coach

by Max Edelman

(Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.)

After serving as an assistant coach for the Mount Sinai Mustangs since 2016, Ryan Pembroke is preparing for a new challenge in 2024, as he is taking over as the head coach.The Mustangs, who finished the 2023 season with a 12-12 record, look to improve upon a season in which they just barely got into the playoffs. 

“We actually just squeaked by to get in.” Head Coach Ryan Pembroke said. “We were hampered with injuries. We lost in the semi-finals to Sayville for the conference championship in extra innings. It was a tough way to lose, but it was a good experience for the returners who are coming back this year.”

Mount Sinai entered the 2023 playoffs as the No. 8 seed. Following a loss in the playoffs opening game against Bayport-Blue Point, the Mustangs took two straight games, taking down both ESM and Rocky Point before the loss to Sayville.

“We were road warriors.” Pembroke said. “We were on the road all four games, which is never easy but we did have the pitching to make a run.”

The Mustangs will be charging into the 2024 season after losing four pitchers who were major parts of the program over the last few seasons. All four of them graduated in 2023, and are now playing college baseball. Those include Chris Batuyios, who is now pitching at St. Johns. JT Caruso is now at the University of Miami. Max Reichenbach, now at Mercy, and Jacob Rentz, now at Herkimer.

“They were the mainstay of the pitching staff for years.” Pembroke said. “We’re obviously replacing four good arms, which is always tough. But that also makes it exciting as well.”

With the losses, the returners will need to step up. Junior Benny Franquiz, Army-commit, was one of the first names that came to Pembroke’s mind when asked who would be the big impact players for his team this season. Despite being a junior, this will be Franquiz’s fourth varsity season, having been on the team since eighth grade with their Long Island Championship winning team.

“He’s our leader.” Pembroke said. “He’s one of our captains. He’s the guy that sets the tone for us as a team. And he really has for the last couple of years, even though he’s been a younger guy. He plays at a premium position at shortstop and he plays it as well as anybody, he’s a phenomenal, phenomenal defender.”

As effective as Franquiz is in the field, he is just as dangerous at the plate. Last season as a sophomore, Franquiz hit .500, had eight doubles, 30 RBIs, and was named both All-League and All-County. Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment for Franquiz was his strikeouts, or, lack thereof. In 94 plate appearances, Franquez only struck out once.

“His bat-to-ball skills are incredible,” Pembroke said. “And it’s been like that ever since he’s been on varsity. For us, we’re expecting Benny to “Be Benny.” Nothing more, nothing less. He’s gonna go out there every day, play hard, play elite defense, and have quality AB after quality AB. 

While hardly a varsity veteran, Nate Castro made his mark on the Mustangs in 2023, his first season on varsity. In 2023, Castro hit .440, had 20 RBIs, two doubles, and only struck out six times in 100 plate appearances. 

“Nate was huge for us.” Pembroke said. “First year varsity player, you never know what you’re going to get. He earned everything he got. To put up the numbers he did as a first year varsity player in our league where we’re always facing good teams and good pitching, kind of tells you a lot about him.”

Along with Franquiz, Castro, the Mustang’s third baseman, creates a very strong left side of the infield for the Mustangs this season.

Queens-commit Andrew Yanez, will be a key component in Mount Sinai’s new-look rotation. 

“Even though [Yanez] didn’t get a lot of innings last year, he threw a lot for his summer team.” Pembroke said. “We have big expectations for him on the mound.”

Junior Mark Fazio was also cited by his coach as a potential impact pitcher in 2024. 

“[Fazio] was really big for us in the playoffs.” Pembroke said. “He threw twice in the playoffs out of the ‘pen in high-leverage situations and he was absolutely outstanding. He threw at Bayport-Blue Point and Sayville, which are two very tough environments, but he grabbed the bull by the horns and was outstanding.”

Left-handed hitting senior ​​Jacob Schneider drew praise from his coach for his strong arm and power at the plate. Sean Flannery was another key piece for the Mustangs a season ago, hitting over .300 while also possessing strong defensive and pitching versatility. Mount Sinai is also getting back both of their catchers James Trepiconne and Ralph Passentino. 

In terms of key newcomers, Pembroke mentioned sophomore Jake Zabbara, who is a pitcher who was on JV a season ago.

“He’s a guy who will definitely be in the mix for one of the spots in the rotation.” Pembroke said. “He’s a left-handed pitcher, a kid that competes, has a tremendous work ethic and a guy we’re excited about not only for this year, but for years to come.”

For the Mustangs, defense reigns supreme, as that is what coach Pembroke cited as the strength of his team this season.

“We’re going to play D.” Pembroke said. “We’re really strong up the middle, we take pride in our defense. And we’re going to be fast. We have very good on-field speed. Meaning we’re going to be tracking balls, cutting balls off, good range in the infield and base-running.”

The Mustangs will open their season on March. 25, at Kings Park.

 

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Vinny is the President of Axcess Baseball. He is a 2013 graduate of Adelphi University and he is currently the Long Island area scout for the San Diego Padres

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