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Get to Know Xavier Cruz
Xavier Cruz is a 2020 graduate of Kellenberg HS. He announced his verbal commitment to SUNY Maritime this week. Cruz is a talented outfielder and will be a critical part of the Firebirds team this upcoming season. I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say… Can you explain your experience with the college recruiting process and why you chose SUNY Maritime? My college recruiting process was very long and stressful. At the beginning of my process, I had big name schools who were recruiting me from the end of my sophomore year. I developed relations with a lot of coaches and scouts. I had the opportunity to play all over the country and be seen on a national level. But as time went on, schools just went in a different direction. Other kids were getting r...
Get to Know Coltrane Calloway
One of the top players in the 2021 class came off the board yesterday. Coltrane Calloway, a junior at Bay Shore HS, committed to Seton Hall University. For those who have been following us since the Baseball on the Island days, you may be familiar with Coltrane. It was September 2016 when we covered a Body Armor vs Team Beast game at Baseball Heaven. Calloway, then on Team Beast, was the best player on the field. It was on the small field, but he threw a complete game and hit a home run, providing a glimpse into his future. It was not far-fetched to say he looked like he would be a Division-I athlete even back then. I had a chance to speak with him, and here’s what he had to say.. Can you explain your experience with the college recruiting process and why you chose Seton Hall? Now th...
Catching Up With Bobby Molinaro Sr.
Bobby Molinaro Sr is the former Head Coach of Suffolk West Community College from 2002-2010. He helped lead them to the JuCo College World Series three times during that span. Additionally, several of his coaches have gone on to carve out their own successful coaching careers as well. His son, Bobby Jr, is entering his senior season at Babylon HS and is one of the top left-handed pitchers in Suffolk County. I had a chance to speak with Bobby Sr, and here’s what he had to say… During your youth, who were some ballplayers you tried to emulate? Willie Randolph and Don Mattingly. Who are some influential people in your life? Baseball wise I would say Jack Bryant (coached at Briarcliffe and Suffolk West). Incredible knowledge of the game. In life, my two kids. Life changes when you ...
Q & A With Aaron Pinto
Aaron Pinto is a 2018 graduate of Stony Brook University, where he was a dominant closer for the Sea Wolves. Despite being a 6’0 RHP, which has traditionally been an obstacle to overcome for aspiring professional pitchers, he was selected in the 24th round by the Cleveland Indians. The week prior, he was dominant in our Axcess Invitational, in which he was one of four players to get selected in the MLB Draft. He has made Cleveland look very smart for believing in him as he posted a 6-1 record with a 1.57 ERA over 74.1 IP. With his mid 90s fastball coupled with his outstanding change up, do not bet against him continuing the rise in the Cleveland system. I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say… Can you explain the path that led you to Stony Brook fro...
Ty Orologio: Why I Chose a JUCO
(Editor’s Note: Ty Orologio is a 2020 graduate of Longwood HS and the younger brother of Camden–who played at Adelphi University. He was with us at the August 23 Showcase at Ducks Stadium. Yesterday he announced his commitment to attend Dutchess CC. The following words are his own.) People who know me, know exactly why I chose to attend a JUCO. It’s because I don’t prepare for the now, I prepare for the future. I want to set myself up for a successful future, whether it’s on the baseball field or not–I want to be successful. Going to a JUCO, mentally I feel relieved and my drive for determination and success on the baseball field could not be any higher. I’m going to go there and work–that’s it. The first thing I saw when I got out of t...
Get to Know Connor Smalley
Connor Smalley is a 2020 graduate of Sayville HS. He contributed to their first Class A Long Island Championship in program history this past season. He announced his verbal commit to Division-II powerhouse Franklin Pierce University. I had a chance to speak to him and here’s what he had to say… Who are your biggest role models in life and why? My biggest role models in my life are definitely both of my parents. They have lways taught me hard work pays off in the long run and have made me into the person I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am without them today and I am so grateful to have them in my life. Who is your favorite player in Major League Baseball and why? One of my favorite players is definitely Christian Yelich because of how much I admire his work ethic from b...
My First Full Season in Pro Ball
by Bobby Honeyman (Editor’s Note: Bobby is a 2014 graduate of Massapequa HS and 2018 graduate of Stony Brook University where he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 29th round. He just finished up his second season in pro ball. So far, he has compiled a batting average of exactly .300 over 186 games. He has an OBP of .349. He was named an All-Star this year. We the Mariners in the midst of a heavy rebuilding period, Bobby has a chance to progress through their system. The following words are his own.) Going into my first full season of pro ball I was not really sure what to expect. After the 2018 draft I played short season for the Everett Aquasox in the Northwest League. Even though I had success in my first season I knew that I still had a lot of improvements to make over t...
Patience
by Christian Tessitore (Editor’s Note: Christian Tessitore is a 2019 graduate of SUNY Old Westbury, he signed with the Empire Pro League shortly after. He has a great story of grit and perseverance.) Patience. The capacity to except or tolerate delay without getting angry or upset. Not just a word or a mindset, but a lifestyle so very important in achieving what we want. My professional career may have officially began this year however, my professional mindset has been cultivated by some of the best baseball minds on Long Island for many years. If it wasn’t for people like Glenn Mitchell I would not be anywhere near the position I have put myself in the last few months. Talking pitching within what is our circle of guys including names such as Justin Dunn and Alex Vargas has ...
Get to Know Aidan Bardi
Aidan Bardi, who hit 18 HRs in Cooperstown, getting his swings in. He’s hit 73 HRs this season. He’s in the Wantagh school district pic.twitter.com/TJxzXPLZmN — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 19, 2019 Move over Barry Bonds–your record has been tied. Eighth grader Aidan Bardi has made a name for himself this season by smacking 73 HRs in astounding performance of power. The young slugger hit 18 HRs in one week in Cooperstown, with more than half of those going to the opposite field. I had a chance to speak with him at MaX Effort Baseball in Farmingdale, NY to watch him hit and ask him some questions after–here’s what he had to say: Who’s your favorite player in Major League Baseball? Mike Trout. Who’s your favorite team? The Angels. W...
Alex Ungar Commits to Albany
Alex Ungar went 3-for-3 and Derek Yalon drove in 3 runs including a 2-R HR in Connetquot’s 7-2 victory pic.twitter.com/0pMIl6xXBo — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 28, 2019 One of the biggest reasons that Connetquot was able to capture the 2019 Suffolk Class AA Championship was their relentless offense. Led by players such as Matt Brown-Eiring, the Yalon twins, Josh McGee and Alex Ungar, they were able to constantly apply pressure to opposing pitchers while also allowing their star-studded staff enough margin for error should they struggle at all. The latter name of the group was the top uncommitted 2020 players until yesterday. He was a highly-sought after player and he announced last night that he was verbally committing to Albany, where he will play in the America East. I...
Q & A With Mike Prisco
Newfield has established themselves as one of the teams with elite talent in Suffolk County. This was not always the case–which makes this era that much more significant in their program’s history. You could count on one hand the Division-I athletes they had during the period when I was in high school 2006-2009. Now, you can’t count on one hand how many Division-I athletes they had in 2018 because that would be six. With Mike Prisco‘s verbal commitment to Albany yesterday that means their 2018 League Champion team had six Division-I commits. That is a remarkable number for any team. I had a chance to speak with Prisco and here’s what he had to say… Can you explain your experience with the college recruiting process and why you chose Albany? My experience...
Roosevelt OF Idris Carter Is the Real Deal
Even in the age of social media, he’s managed to fly under-the-radar. And that’s just fine by him. Roosevelt 2020 grad Idris Carter is one of the best players on Long Island and is committed to Stony Brook. Two MLB teams have expressed interest in drafting him next June . Somehow most people don’t know much about him other than that he led Long Island in home runs in 2018 with 10 when he was just a sophomore. Playing baseball at Roosevelt is not exactly the American League East and playing football has limited his amount of time playing in front of big-time schools. Still, Stony Brook noticed him early in the process and he committed back in June. That came to fruition when Willie Carmona, who was a major piece of Stony Brook’s 2012 World Series run, met Carter at a...
