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Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm: Dylan Weinstein
(This is the first installment of the popular “Up Next” series. We will highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island every Monday during the offseason. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm for sponsoring this year’s series.) Dylan Weinstein (‘28, NY) cranks this loud bomb to LCF, plating three. Minimal moving parts in his operation, with a quick leg lift and quick hands that fire the barrel through the zone w/ authority. #NewEngElite @PGYouthBB @PG_Tourney pic.twitter.com/fBSQahqTVJ — PG Mid Atlantic (NY, NJ, PA, MD,DE,DC) (@PGMidAtlantic) May 18, 2024 Like the New York Yankees, St. Dominic HS last reached the mountain top in 2009. That was when they last captured the Catholic League Championship, during that golden era of the CHSAA when every team seemingly had 5...
Where Are They Now: Bryan Verbitsky
Bryan Verbitsky has a claim for the best high school career on Long Island of this century. He was a two-time Diamond Award recipient – given annually to the top player in Nassau County. He led Island Trees to a County Championship in 2007 over Clarke. He ended his career with his name all over the record books at Island Trees – finishing first in home runs (30), hits (136), ABs (319), runs (129), second in SBs (45) and fourth in ERA (1.90). Simply put, he had one of the finest careers a high school player can have. Additionally, and this is something that often gets forgotten – he did so when the conference was talent-based, meaning he performed exceptionally against the best players in the county. “There were no gimme wins in the league,” said Verbitsky. Many people that played baseball ...
Jayden Gigante Commits to St. John’s University
24 hits as an 8th grader. 26 hits as a 9th grader and 40 hits as a 10th grader. That is some rarified air for any player. Carey OF Jayden Gigante has had a tremendous start to his high school career, and he still has a full 2 seasons left. This week he recently announced his verbal commitment to St. John’s, where he will join his summer ball teammate, Andrew Caramico in 2 years. He also received interest from UCONN, Boston College, Stony Brook, Rutgers and North Carolina. His school ball coach, Doug Robins, had this to say about his young star. “He is a fiver tool player. Jayden has become a tremendous player through hard work and dedication. His range in the outfield is off the charts – he covers the gaps.He has been a starter since 8th grade. He’s a gamer and rise...
Jalen Josey Commits to Stony Brook University
Tied again! Jalen Josey comes through with a 2-out, 2-strike RBI single and it’s 3-3 as we head to the 9th pic.twitter.com/cSDmQT8C5G — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 27, 2024 Coming off a magical ride in 2023 which included capturing the NY State Catholic League Championship, it was a bit of a youth movement for the Holy Trinity Titans. Even so, they were able to get hot at the right time and reach the CHSAA Finals against St. Anthony’s. Josey was a bright spot for the Titans. After getting called up from JV halfway through the season, all he did was go 12-for-38 (.316) with 2 doubles, 2 triples, 10 RBIs and 9 runs scored. He came through with a clutch game-tying hit in extra innings of the finals. This past week he announced his verbal commitment to Stony Brook University...
Where Are They Now: Nick Clark
(Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2024) (Photo Credit: Cosmic Fox Media) When it comes to sliding door moments – this one might top the list. During his senior season at West Babylon HS, Nick Clark had already decided he wanted to attend Adelphi University to play basketball. His dream was to play in the NBA. Despite West Babylon’s outstanding team – they won the Suffolk County Championship in 1993 and 1994 – he did not have plans to continue his career after graduation. As fate would have it, legendary Adelphi baseball coach Ron Davies, was attending his West Babylon game to watch his teammate, Mike Rayola. Clark had what he described as his “best game of the year” and Coach Davies asked him if he’d be interested in playing baseball at Adelphi Universi...
Where Are They Now: Matt Daley
Thousands upon thousands of boys grow up dreaming to play Major League Baseball. Very few are talented enough to even play at the collegiate level. Truly passionate baseball fans will still try to find a way into the industry through a position as a journalist, a scout or if they are intelligent enough, a front office position. Garden City alum Matt Daley is in the very, very small subsection of the baseball world that was both talented enough to play at the big league level while being intelligent enough to transition into a front office position for the New York Yankees. If that sounds difficult to do, that’s because it is. Most organization are looking for highly-educated individuals with economic degrees or MBAs as opposed to a former player that simply has an eye for talent. Daley, wh...
RHP Andrew Caramico Commits to St. John’s University
Andrew Caramico (‘26 NY) flashing a solid FB/CB mix today up to 90 mph, did not allow a hit in 4.2 IP. Lots of whip to the AA, high ceiling for future w/ proj remaining in 6-foot-3, 170 frame #NESelectChamp@PG_Scouting pic.twitter.com/uYWa7Eu6TJ — PG Mid Atlantic (NY, NJ, PA, MD,DE,DC) (@PGMidAtlantic) August 12, 2024 Andrew Caramico, a rising junior at Chaminade HS, burst onto the scene this summer for Next Level Brewers. He fired 71 innings, he notched a stellar 1.57 ERA and struck out an incredible 108 batters while yielding just 36 hits – just over 4.5 per 9 innings. He has yet to pitch in a varsity game, but that is not unusual in this era. He will certainly be a player to watch over the next two season as the Chaminade Flyers attempt to regain their status as the premier Cathol...
Q & A With Cole Zaffiro
One of the toughest environments to pitch in college baseball is College Station, TX. The “12th Man” as they are known, are known to be ruthless to the opposition – especially pitchers. Nobody told that to Cole Zaffiro. As a sophomore, all he did was fire four strong innings, allowing 1 ER and striking out five in relief. UPENN won two of three from the Aggies, one of the best teams in the nation. As it turns out, it was a harbinger for things to come as they wound up winning 33 games in a strong season. They built on that the next season, winning 34 games including the Ivy League Championship. The ace of that team was undoubtedly Zaffiro, who led the team with 74.2 IP and struck out 90 batters. The Manhasset native was named first-team All-Ivy League. Fast forward one ye...
Bobby Wescott Commits to Stony Brook
On to the Sweet 16! 2026 BodyArmor Vigeant moves on with a come from behind 9-8 win! Down to their last out, Bobby Wescott hits a game tying home run! In extras, Caiden Erker hits a Grand Slam! Congrats boys! @axcessbaseball #TitanNation pic.twitter.com/Ieux8SKIwA — Titans (@TitansBsb) July 12, 2024 Bobby Wescott had a terrific 2024 season for the Plainedge Red Devils. Though he was just a sophomore, he led the way offensively with a .420 batting average, .553 OBP and incredible 1.321 OPS. He compiled 29 hits, six doubles, six triples, four HRs, drove in 29 runs and scored 15 runs. He recently announced his commitment to Stony Brook University. He still has two full seasons of high school remaining, which is certainly bad news for opposing pitchers. His coach Colin Fratrik had the followin...
Q & A With Mike DiFilippo
One of the hallmarks of a winning college program is player development. While any program would love to bring in the big-time recruit, it’s just not rational to expect that every player on your roster will be a PG All-American or an All-State player. There needs to be instances of players that come in and take a leap forward. During my time at Farmingdale State College, that would occur routinely. Players that were either overlooked in high school or simply took their game to another level once they stepped foot on campus. St. Joseph’s is the new king of the Skyline Conference – having won back-to-back-to-back championships including a thrilling walk-off win, 9-8, this year over those Farmingdale Rams in the winner-take-all finals. The Golden Eagles, who lost their first...
Conversation With Garrett Scavelli
We are in a new era of college baseball which includes the transfer portal acting as free agency for the big Division-I programs. The reality is that it benefits the Power 5 programs much more than our local teams. In certain cases, however, a program like St. John’s could utilize the transfer portal and upgrade their roster with a player that has excelled at the Division-II level. Garrett Scavelli, a player that thoroughly dominated at Molloy University on his way to being named the 2023 ECC Player of the Year, entered the transfer portal in that summer. Over his 3 year career, he slashed .357/.458/.562 with 121 runs scored, 92 RBIs and 60 extra-base hits. It was a major talking point from local coaches who obviously were interested in Scavelli’s services, but also in the situ...
Conversation With New York Mets 11th Round Draft Pick Nick Roselli
The game of baseball is littered with stories of players that peaked at a young age and gradually fizzled out as their peers caught up with their size and ultimately were never the same. It is a breath of fresh air when a player is the inverse of that, somebody that was constantly overlooked and always outworked the competition. Big Congratulations to 2021 Titan, Nick Roselli on being drafted in the 11th round by the New York Mets! Nick is a kid that never gets out worked. He truly deserved this! Go crush it at the Pro Level!! @nickroselli2021 @axcessbaseball #TitanNation pic.twitter.com/m2HrksJCsn — Titans (@TitansBsb) July 16, 2024 Enter Nick Roselli. I first watched him play at Sal Agostinelli’s Northeast Elite when he hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 9th at Baseball Hea...
