FEATURES
Where Are They Now Powered by Prime Performance: James Bailin
(Special thanks to Prime Performance for sponsoring this year’s “Where Are They Now” You can check them out by clicking here.) Photo Credit: Newsday/Bill Davis 29-0. There’s a beauty in perfection. It is elusive in the game of baseball – a game that is designed to include failures and to humble every player. For Division Ave HS in 1996, there was no such failures. The Blue Dragons went wire-to-wire not losing one game. In fact, they only played in one game that was decided by one run. They scored 325 runs during the regular season and often were up by double digits before their starting pitcher took the mound. And their starting pitchers usually only needed one or two runs to begin with. One of their starters, James Bailin, was untouchable that season as he fi...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Richie Roberts
Center Moriches is one of the true powerhouses in Suffolk County. They won back-to-back Class B Championships in 2018 and 2019 and captured the Long Island Championship in 2021. The talent pool is always deep in the school district and they have a penchant for calling up underclassmen that wind up playing impact roles at the varsity level. Last year, he featured JT Bonventre who was a 9th grader at the time, and this past year they had an 8th grader not only get called up but was a key contributor for them. His name is Richie Roberts, and he will be a big time player for the Red Devils for the next 4 seasons. Last year, he went 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA and 2 saves over 18 innings on the mound. Additionally, he committed just 1 error in 46 chances splitting time between 2B and SS. At the plate, ...
Jayden Stroman Signs NLI to Attend Duke University
17-year-old Jayden Stroman, brother of Marcus, is making 96 MPH throws from shortstop There have only been 12 throws by an infielder of 96 MPH or more in MLB this season pic.twitter.com/T881ZZisJT — Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 1, 2024 Jayden Stroman signed his financial agreement to attend Duke University. Baseball fans are certainly familiar with his older brother, Marcus, who also graduated from Patchogue-Medford and attended Duke University where he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 2012 draft. He debuted in the big leagues in 2014 and just helped lead the New York Yankees to capturing the American League pennant. Jayden attended the Stony Brook School in 2021, 2022 and 2023 before heading to Florida to attend IMG Academy in 2024. His decision t...
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...
