FEATURES
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Jagger Franco
(This is the tenth 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, Fred Klauck, Logan Lamberson, Jake Ostertag and Mason Gatchalian. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Jagger Franco (Longwood 2027) turning on one for an extra base hit at the Kings Point Classic pic.twitter.com/fAQsK2SB5h — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 6, 2025 It is exceptionally rare that a player will start the game behind the dish and end up on the mound – unless it’s an absolute necessity. Jagger Franco (Longwood 2027) did so this past season on a few occasions while playing for the Blue Line...
Where Are They Now Powered by Prime Performance: Chris Smith
“When you have Scott Boras calling you up telling you that you’re a first round pick, you take it!” Wantagh grad Chris Smith was not just one of the best players on Long Island during his magical ride of a senior season in 1998, but his took his game up a notch at Florida State University, where he became an All-American OF with a cannon of a left arm that generated 98 MPH heaters – and that’s before every team had someone sitting in the mid 90s. Smith was the rare two-way player that could thrive on either side of the ball, but once he showcased upper 90s heater against the University of Miami, it became clear the best path to multimillionaire status was on the mound. He made the controversial and difficult decision to leave Florida State after playing in back-to-back College World Series...
Q & A With Long Island Empire Owner, Anthony Rinaldi
One of the up-and-coming programs on Long Island over the past couple years is the Long Island Empire. Established 4 years ago by Anthony Rinaldi with one team, they not only grew to 13 teams but made an impact winning a number of championships this year. Heres’ a quick rundown of your championships and runner-up finishes… 16u Blue Chip Prospect Summer Series Champs 17u BOS Labor Day Champs Boys of Summer College Crossover Champ 13u Boys of Summer Semi Finalists 13u Blue Chip Summer Series Semi Finals 13u BOS Labor Day Finalist 15u Summer Sendoff PA Finalist 16u Boys of Summer Finalist 16u Blue Chip Father’s Day Finalist 17u Prospect Select Northeast Semi Finalists 17u Axcess World Series Finalist 9u and 12u Hot Stove Championship I had a chance to speak with him and here...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm: Mason Gatchalian
(This is the ninth 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, Fred Klauck, Logan Lamberson and Jake Ostertag. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) 1B Mason Gatchalian (Eastport-South Manor 2027) displaying his power with a homer at Diamond Nation pic.twitter.com/UEUt8aHKMn — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) December 30, 2024 Mason Gatchalian put himself on the map this spring for Eastport-South Manor as he was not only called up to varsity as a freshman, but batted in the middle of the order every game and was also their high-leverage reliever. He comes from a baseball f...
Where Are They Now Powered by Prime Performance: Chris Gannon
In what was the first County Championship for Hauppauge, Chris Gannon put together one of the finest seasons in Long Island history. He played CF and batted leadoff – hitting .483 with 5 HRs, 10 triples, 7 doubles, scoring an incredible 55 runs, drawing 27 walks, 42 hits and drove in 32 runs. The Eagles went 21-5 for the second straight year and successfully defended their title as Suffolk County Champs, this time against future MLB draft pick Tim Layden from Deer Park at Ducks Stadium. Surely, a player of that ilk would go on to play Division-I baseball before continuing his career in pro ball. For Gannon, however, his true love was not baseball, but soccer. He also starred on the Hauppauge boy’s soccer team where he was a two-time Long Island Champ. Ultimately, those two years were the p...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Jake Ostertag
(This is the eighth 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, Fred Klauck and Logan Lamberson. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Getting called up to varsity can be an overwhelming task for an underclassmen – let alone an 8th grader. That was not the case for Babylon’s Jake Ostertag who stepped up to the task by going 4-for-4 with 5 RBIs in the Class B Suffolk County Championship. He took on the added responsibility in his freshman season in 2024. He compiled a strong .329 AVG/.381 OBP/.487 SLG for an .868 OPS with 25 hits, 7 doubles, 1 HR, 18 RBIs 14 R over 84 plate app...
Where Are They Now Powered by Prime Performance: Luke Stampfl
Flying out to left field in your final collegiate at bat is not the Hollywood ending most imagine. Especially not when you were already 3-for-4 with a home run over 400 feet in that game. And it’s in an elimination game at Clemson in the NCAA Regional. But St. John’s grad student Luke Stampfl still smiled as he rounded first base. Partially because he said it was his hardest hit ball of the day – even factoring in the home run – and partially knowing that he gave absolutely everything that he had – and that included months of grueling pain that he endured from a cyst on his tailbone, which overlapped with his recovering from a deep bone bruise on his knee after fouling a ball off. Stampfl had a career that most players dream of – playing five years of Division-I at two of New York’s finest...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Logan Lamberson
(This is the seventh 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 and Fred Klauck. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Logan Lamberson shows his pop with an opposite field homer pic.twitter.com/21Wg0UXZxs — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) December 16, 2024 2024 was a tremendous season for Logan Lamberson. He batted .541 (98-for-181), with 20 doubles, 8 triples, 34 HRs, 124 RBIs, 104 runs scored, 60 walks and 60 stolen bases. Just a remarkable season by any metric, even if much of it occurred on the small fields. He did show a glimpse of the future in the fall when h...
Q & A With Drew Waters
Drew Waters has drawn positive reviews for his ability to handle a pitching staff and control the running game despite being just a freshman in HS. The Levittown native opted to attend St. Dominic HS. Pete Lo Duca, who is an assistant at St. Dominic HS, had the following to say: “Drew is an exceptional young man and player. There is a level of intensity, focus and determination that Drew brings to every game and to his team. He desmans the best out of himself and wants to be surrounded with those that share a similar mindset. Drew has an above average arm behind the dish and does a great job guiding his pitching staff. No moment is too big for Drew, he wants to be the batter in the box when it matters most. Drew is an impact player that possesses intangibles you cannot see in a bit s...
Giac Squad Enters 2025 With Momentum
After a .500 start to 2024, Giac Squad 16u was able to turn the corner mid summer through the end of the fall finishing with a 18-6 record with a league championship. After losing in the Boys of summer National finals, Giac Squad was able to bounce back to the championship in the fall – this time taking care of business against a tough Bonnie Bees club. The team is lead by staff ace, Jefferson Biener (Division 2026). Coach Giac says “Biener is one of the top, if not the top arm in his class. When he’s out there, I just have all the confidence in the world”. The rest of the rotation includes Fernando Alverez (Mepham 27), who has proven his dominance and will have a lot of eyes on him this summer, Anthony Sanchez (St. Anthonys 27), and Holy Trinity’s stacked so...
Q & A With Jayden Schrader
Jayden Schrader was a big part of Giac Squad’s successful 2024 season in which they captured the Boys of Sumer 16u Fall Championship. He played a steady shortstop and provided punch in the lineup. Schrader was not only the youngest player on the team, but was also eligible to play 14u this year, as he bounced back and forth between the 14u and 16u teams. Schrader is an exciting player that is entering his freshman season at Mepham HS. His coach Joe Giacomantonio spoke very highly of him, lauding his defensive abilities and his ability to handle the bat. He said, “Schrader is one of the most advanced players at his age.” I had a chance to speak with Schrader and here’s what he had to say… SS Jayden Schrader (Mepham 2028) getting some swings in. Very athletic, h...
Max Effort Baseball: On the Cutting Edge of Baseball Training and Education
(Editor’s Note: This article originally was published in December 2017) When it comes to being a successful hitter, there is nothing more frustrating than being geared up for a fastball only to hopelessly flail at a change up in the dirt. Believe me, as a .250 hitter as a senior in high school I can attest to this. There is no amount of hours in a batting cage that can prepare you for the challenge of off-speed pitches and tight breaking balls. Enter Senaptec and Hack Attack Pitching Machine. These revolutionary devices represent the next-wave of baseball training, something in which several Major League Baseball teams have purchased and begun to implement into their organizations. Both of these do not come cheap, however, and unless you are able to book an appointment at Yankee Stad...
