(Editor’s Note: his is the seventeenth installment of the popular “Up Next” series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we featured Dylan Weinstein, Jaxson Torres, Richie Roberts, Joe Maxwell, Dom Muccia, Logan Lamberson, Fred Klauck, Jake Ostertag, Mason Gatchalian, Jagger Franco, Evan Frangas, Ryan Matson, Dylan Frers, Aidan Dobrie, Tyler D’Amico & Lucas Sweeting. You can read them all by clicking here. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.)
Having a father that works for the New York Yankees and a brother that played in the College World Series for Wake Forest provides a unique perspective on playing high level baseball for Shea Corona.
The slick fielding infielder was a member of The Stony Brook School’s State Championship winning team in 2024 as a freshman. Following the season, he spent some time training in the Dominican Republic while staying with his godfather.
Infielder Shea Corona (The Stony Brook School 2027) pic.twitter.com/FfCkEB6QLD
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 17, 2025
It paid dividends as Corona’s fastball is now up to 88 MPH, his exit velocity is up to 93 and he can throw it across the diamond in the low 90s. While he did play summer ball for the Titans and 5TP Development (based out of the Bronx), much of his time was spent on development.
“Our focus at home for Shea has been developing tools over the last 18 months,” said his father, Danny Corona. “We only talk about quality at bats, barrels and hitting strikes hard. Throwing strikes and being as efficient as possible on the mound. With my background, it’s hard to talk about stats because of all the variables in the game at his level. He’s performed well against quality pitching and below average against not-so-good pitching. Shea has grown tremendously on-and-off the field and I really believe that it’s because of our conversations and approach to his development. As we head into this spring, we hope that the things we’e worked on will allow him to perform well and yield good results. He trained in the DR for most of last summer and will go back for more of that as soon as school is over.”
Danny, who is a Tri-State Area Scout for the New York Yankees and played ball at Seward Park HS in Manhattan, is also one of the founders of Metro Scout Day. Danny Jr, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 16th round of the 2021 MLB Draft but opted to attend Wake Forest, where he led them to the 2023 College World Series (.970 OPS, 13 HRs, 45 RBIs). He is currently a senior at the University of Missouri where he will likely be drafted again.
Shea takes private lessons with Gregg Downing of 5 Tool Training, and he had the following to say:
“Shea has always had the skillset and work ethic, he was just on the smaller/skinnier side. A recent growth spurt and dedication to the weight room and nutrition has allowed people to take notice of what I always knew could happen with him. If the body and maturity ever met the skillset, Shea would stop being known as “Danny’s little brother” but instead as one of the top players in the class. Shea is now ranked as the 4th best player in NY, according to PBR.”
I had a chance to speak with Shea and here’s what he had to say…
Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play other sports?
Baseball is my number one sport. Growing up, I also played basketball and football, but once I started high school, I dropped the other two and focused on baseball only.At home, we do watch a lot of basketball.
Can you discuss the impact that your father and brother have had on you?
My dad and my brother have had a major impact on me personally on-and-off the field. Obviously, my brother Danny has played baseball at a very high level – winning a Gold Medal on Team USA, being a big time prospect out of high school, drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and playing in the College World Series with Wake Foreat University. My dad played ball growing up, has coached for many years and is now a scout with the New York Yankees and so the combination of my dad, my brother and both of their experiences as players, and my dad as a coach, parent and scout has really helped me with my development as they have insight and information that the average kid might not have.
Who are your favorite players in Major League Baseball?
My favorite players in Major League Baseball are Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. As a middle infielder, I try to mirror my playing style as much as possible to Lindor as he’s the best SS in the game and leads by example on-and-off the field. Juan Soto brings a different level of excitement to the game and it’s fun to watch someone have so much confidence like he does out on the field. This game is tough and I figure that if I can model my game after my favorite player (Lindor) and bring a level of excitement and confidence like Soto, then that combination is the space where I want to live in.
Why did you choose to attend The Stony Brook School?
I was very fortunate to have applied to The Stony Brook School when I did and being a part of that school community and the athletics program has been a blessing for me. The Stony Brook School allows me the opportunity to go to school and live on campus while being able to come home on the weekends and be with my family. As for the school baseball program, we have a great coaching staff, led by Jon Brewer as well as our pitching coach Ryan Horstmn and it’s also really cool to be surrounded by high-level athletes like Jordan Serrano and Aiden Ruiz who are draft-bound, watching each of those guys lead the pack and go about their business has really allowed me to continue to grow and get better every day.
Do you work with any private instructors?
Yea, I workout with my dad. Other than my dad, I also get work in with Gregg Downing and CJ Lauriello and my brother, Danny Jr.
What has been the most thrilling moment of your playing career?
I’ve played a lot of travel ball growing up and have played in many exciting and thrilling moments in my playing career, but overall the most thrilling moment came in a game that I didn’t even play in and that was when Stony Brook beat Poly Prep in the State Championship last year. I’ve had my fair share of momenta where I made huge imp[act on the team and won some very big games, but this moment last year as freshman and watching our team win the state championship was the most thrilling.
Best baseball trip you’ve been on?
Fall 2024 – With Stony Brook, we did a trip to Puerto Rico and being there with my teammate and coaches, playing against team from the PR, was definitely the best trip I’ve had so far.
Goals for 2025?
My personal goals for 2025 are to make the Area Code team and to commit to a Division-I baseball program.
Favorite musical artist?
Drake
Favorite restaurant?
Carbone
Favorite app on your phone?
Snapchat
Favorite TV show or movie?
All-American
Favorite vacation spot?
Dominican Republic
Dream Car?
Porsche 911 Turbo
