Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.
St. Anthony’s has compiled a record of 25-8 over the past two regular seasons, but they fell short in the playoffs both times.
Coach Paul Parsolano, now entering his 5th season with the club, is eager for his club to take that next step to get over the hump and break their championship drought.
“The last two years we turned into a whole other team. We’ve been so close the last two years. We feel like the program is finally where we want it to be. I’ve never had this much depth since I’ve been here – at all three levels of the programs. We must be doing something right because more and more players are wanting to be here. I think we are ready to make that next jump. With the group we have, we should be in contention,” said Parsolano, who was an assistant coach in 2000 when the Friars last won a championship. He was also an assistant at St. Dominic HS in 2009, the last time they won the title.
Last year’s team was led by their two workhorses on the mound – RHP Jason DeCaro (University of North Carolina) and LHP Torin Kassebaum (Long Island University). DeCaro was named Player of the Year and Kassebaum was All-League (1.24 ERA). The obvious challenge for the Friars will be replacing those innings. Both of those pitchers combined for 83 of the 117 innings in league play.
Congratulations to the 2023 NSCHSAA Player of the Year Jason DeCaro! Jason was among the league leaders in all offensive and pitching categories and a huge part of the Friars success this season! Jason, #FriarNation is so proud of you! @JasonDeCaro2 @StAnthonysAth @axcessbaseball pic.twitter.com/QEmiulm4zC
— St. Anthony’s HS Baseball (@SAFriarsBase) May 31, 2023
They also graduated Kurt Johnson, who is playing at SUNY Poly and Mike Mugno, who is playing at Catholic University.
It is not all gloom and doom, though.
I was down at their intra squad on Saturday afternoon, and it is apparent that the floor for this team is extremely high. St. Anthony’s has a vast talent pool, which is why it takes a full week or more to finalize the roster. In an era of declining participation in baseball, the Friars had over 120 kids tryout across the freshman, JV and varsity teams. They have a 34-man roster, which is very high for any team. Parsolano joked that there isn’t a dugout big enough to hold their entire team.
Anchoring the offense is catcher Phil Mazzola. The junior is entering his 3rd year on varsity and was a starter as a freshman. He is coming off a strong season in which he batted .303 with 2 HRs, 12 RBIs and was named All-League and a finalist for the Catcher of the Year. He led the team in doubles (5) and hits (20). They feel extremely confident in him behind the dish and they will go as far as he takes them.
Thomas Jefferson-commit Kevin Baez Jr. was named to our Preseason All-Long Island list. He is a SS/RHP and one of their captains. Baez will play a key role as a two-way player. He made 0 errors last year, and led the team in RBIs (16). Baez’ father played in the big leagues with the New York Mets and he also managed the Long Island Ducks. Expect Baez to be one of the top players in the league this season.
Uncommitted RHP/MIF Kevin Baez Jr (St. Anthony’s 2024)
Plenty to like about Baez who worked in the mid 80s with great command of both his fastball and off-speed pitches. Father played in the big leagues in the early 90s for NYM pic.twitter.com/ku3r7pDvEW
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 3, 2023
“Baez has turned into a real leader,” said Parsolano.
At 1B they have a player to watch in sophomore CJ Alfano. It is rare for underclassmen to play a significant role in the Catholic League, but Alfano is a special player. He will be an impact player and he’s already turned plenty of heads with his offensive prowess. Between him and Mazzola, they have two soon-to-be Division-I position players.
Another one of their captains is OF Brenden Howard who is committed to Ithaca College. He led the team in stolen bases with 9 last season.
In terms of their captains, coach had the following to say:
“Brendan, Phil and Kevin have done a really good job of keeping the guys focused and on point. No need to baby sit this group, they are all baseball players.”
3B Jagger Dugue is another college commit, he is headed to SUNY New Paltz in the fall and should man the hot corner for the Friars.
One interesting nugget from last season is that during Senior Day, Michael and Christian Mugno were both on the field at the same time. Christian, two years younger, came to the plate with the bases loaded and ripped a two-run single. So he enters the season with a perfect 1.000 AVG. He will be one of the players that fills in at SS when Baez pitches.
‘25 OF Anthony Carlo (@SAFriarsBase)
Driving a 2-run double to straightaway CF. Pulls into second, utilizing his 6.90 foot speed. Peak EV 89MPH during BP.#TopProspectGamesLI | @TheBigDog593 | @AxcessBaseball pic.twitter.com/hD2C4iYfig
— Prep Baseball New York (@PBRNewYork) August 16, 2023
The team has a ton of depth in the outfield. Coach Parsolano noted that they have 9 outfielders on the roster, three deep at each spot. One of those players is Anthony Carlo, a physically gifted player that runs a 6.6 60-yard dash. He was injured and missed most of last season. He played on the JV team during the playoffs to get his at bats. He is another player in the mix for significant at bats. Alex Bono is also in that mix, he is a junior right fielder that has big-time pop that will look to turn that upside into production at the plate.
In terms of the pitching staff, it is no secret that the team will have their hands full trying to duplicate the level of dominance that they received from DeCaro and Kassebaum, but they do have plenty of talent.
Anchoring the staff will be John Didden. He was All-League last season, throwing 16.2 innings, striking out 18 batters with a 3.78 ERA. He was 3-0 during the regular season and lost his playoff start against Holy Trinity.
Along with Baez, they have John Parpis. The junior dominated JV last season to the tune of an 8-0 record with a 0.60 ERA. He struck out 67 batters over 46 innings. Look for him to step up and be a reliable arm in the rotation.
Rounding out the rotation is sophomore Luke Coats. The 6’3 sophomore was on varsity as a freshman and threw 8.2 innings. He is a hard-thrower that was up to 89 in the winter that is likely to be a Division-I pitcher.
6’3 RHP Luke Coats (St. Anthony’s 2026) was up to 89 this winter. High upside pic.twitter.com/D7BnGqNVlr
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 16, 2024
They also return reliever Ryan Reynolds who is committed to Drew University. He pitched a handful of innings last year and his experience should come into play in the late innings.
Coach Parsolano is excited for the direction that the program is headed in.
“The only thing we have to figure out is that we don’t ave much experience on the mound. We are returning maybe 20 innings. That is the only thing that is an unknown. Defensively, we should be very strong.”
In terms of the composition of the roster, the Friars have 15 seniors, 17 juniors and 2 sophomores – Alfano and Coats.
Despite not having won a varsity championship in 24 years, this team does have plenty of experience winning.
“Every kid on this roster has won a championship – either at the freshman or JV level. JV won last year. This group of seniors won it as freshmen. They have a winning mindset. They know what needs to be done to get to that spot. It’s just a matter of doing what it takes to be done.”
They will kick off their season on Tuesday, March 26 against Chaminade at Moriches Complex. All the Catholic League teams will be playing at the same location with first pitch coming at 4:45pm.
