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		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Shea Corona</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/17/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-shea-corona/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-shea-corona</link>
					<comments>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/17/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-shea-corona/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:25:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danny Corona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shea Corona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stony Brook school]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Up Next 2024]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>(Editor&#8217;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 &#38; 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&#8217;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&#8217;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. &#8220;Our focus at home for Shea has been developing tools over the last 18 months,&#8221; said his father, Danny Corona. &#8220;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&#8217;s hard to talk about stats because of all the variables in the game at his level. He&#8217;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&#8217;s because of our conversations and approach to his development. As we head into this spring, we hope that the things we&#8217;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.&#8221; 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: &#8220;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 &#8220;Danny&#8217;s little brother&#8221; 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.&#8221; I had a chance to speak with Shea and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230; 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 &#8211; 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&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;t even play in and that was when Stony Brook beat Poly Prep in the State Championship last year. I&#8217;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&#8217;ve been on? Fall 2024 &#8211; 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&#8217;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</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/17/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-shea-corona/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Shea Corona</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>(<em>Editor&#8217;s Note</em>: <i>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 &amp; Lucas Sweeting. You can read them all by </i><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/tag/up-next-2024/">clicking here</a><i>. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.)</i></p>
<p>Having a father that works for the <strong>New York Yankees</strong> and a brother that played in the College World Series for <strong>Wake Forest</strong> provides a unique perspective on playing high level baseball for <strong>Shea Corona. </strong></p>
<p>The slick fielding infielder was a member of <strong>The Stony Brook School&#8217;s</strong> 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.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Infielder Shea Corona (The Stony Brook School 2027) <a href="https://t.co/FfCkEB6QLD">pic.twitter.com/FfCkEB6QLD</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1891486953733791848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>It paid dividends as Corona&#8217;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.</p>
<p>&#8220;Our focus at home for Shea has been developing tools over the last 18 months,&#8221; said his father, <strong>Danny Corona</strong>. &#8220;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&#8217;s hard to talk about stats because of all the variables in the game at his level. He&#8217;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&#8217;s because of our conversations and approach to his development. As we head into this spring, we hope that the things we&#8217;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.&#8221;</p>
<p>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 <strong>Pittsburgh Pirates</strong> in the 16th round of the 2021 MLB Draft but opted to attend<strong> Wake Forest</strong>, where he led them to the 2023 College World Series (.970 OPS, 13 HRs, 45 RBIs). He is currently a senior at the<strong> University of Missouri</strong> where he will likely be drafted again.</p>
<p>Shea takes private lessons with Gregg Downing of 5 Tool Training, and he had the following to say:</p>
<p>&#8220;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 &#8220;Danny&#8217;s little brother&#8221; 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.&#8221;</p>
<p>I had a chance to speak with Shea and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-51664 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4fe5ea5d-8a06-4c4b-87ff-3e3463e08072.jpg-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4fe5ea5d-8a06-4c4b-87ff-3e3463e08072.jpg-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4fe5ea5d-8a06-4c4b-87ff-3e3463e08072.jpg-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4fe5ea5d-8a06-4c4b-87ff-3e3463e08072.jpg-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4fe5ea5d-8a06-4c4b-87ff-3e3463e08072.jpg-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em><strong>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play other sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><em><strong>Can you discuss the impact that your father and brother have had on you?</strong></em></p>
<p>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 &#8211; 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.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are your favorite players in Major League Baseball?</strong></em></p>
<p>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&#8217;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&#8217;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.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-50625 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LISR-Banner-300x157.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="157" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LISR-Banner-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LISR-Banner-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LISR-Banner-768x402.jpg 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LISR-Banner.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><strong><em>Why did you choose to attend The Stony Brook School?</em></strong></p>
<p>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&#8217;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.</p>
<p><strong><em>Do you work with any private instructors?</em></strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong><em>What has been the most thrilling moment of your playing career?</em></strong></p>
<p>I&#8217;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&#8217;t even play in and that was when Stony Brook beat Poly Prep in the State Championship last year. I&#8217;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.</p>
<p><strong><em>Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</em></strong></p>
<p>Fall 2024 &#8211; 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&#8217;ve had so far.</p>
<p><strong><em>Goals for 2025?</em></strong></p>
<p>My personal goals for 2025 are to make the Area Code team and to commit to a Division-I baseball program.</p>
<p><strong><em>Favorite musical artist?</em></strong></p>
<p>Drake</p>
<p><strong><em>Favorite restaurant?</em></strong></p>
<p>Carbone</p>
<p><strong><em>Favorite app on your phone?</em></strong></p>
<p>Snapchat</p>
<p><strong><em>Favorite TV show or movie?</em></strong></p>
<p>All-American</p>
<p><strong><em>Favorite vacation spot?</em></strong></p>
<p>Dominican Republic</p>
<p><strong><em>Dream Car?</em></strong></p>
<p>Porsche 911 Turbo</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/17/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-shea-corona/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Shea Corona</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Lucas Sweeting</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/10/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-lucas-sweeting/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-lucas-sweeting</link>
					<comments>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/10/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-lucas-sweeting/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:16:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LI Elite]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lucas Sweeting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next 2024]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=51597</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>(Editor’s Note: This is the sixteenth 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 &#38; Tyler D&#8217;Amico. You can read them all by clicking here. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) RBI triple by Lucas Sweeting (Hicksville 2029) pic.twitter.com/e5REznDdLL — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 10, 2025 Great hitters are hard to come by. Generally you either have it, or you don&#8217;t from a young age. Lucas Sweeting is one of those natural born hitters. It was a monster season for him, playing for 13u Elite Prospects Fanelli 53 games played 59-for-137 (.431 AVG) 11 doubles 4 triples 49 RBIs 3 strikeouts Rob Savarese, owner of LI Elite, had the following to say: &#8220;Sweeting is a line drive gap-to-gap machine with a knack of finding the barrel. A recent growth spurt with added strength should translate into big in-game power in the near future. Lucas is hardworking, coachable kid who always hustles and puts the team first. Good defensive corner outfielder with sound baseball sense. His best days are ahead of him.&#8221; I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230; Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Yes, I feel baseball has always been my number one sport. I also rock climb competitively for a private team and I play other sports for school like basketball and volleyball. But baseball has been my favorite since I started playing t-ball when I was 4. Do you have any family members that played college sports? My Uncle Matt played soccer at Utica College and played for the NYPD soccer team. He&#8217;s fun and always up for playing sports with me at family functions. Who is your favorite player in Major League Baseball? Francisco Lindor, I really love watching him play and he always looks like he&#8217;s having so much fun on the field. I am also excited to watch Juan Soto play for the Mets for the next 15 years. What has been your most thrilling moment on a baseball field? My favorite moment was hitting my first home run. I was 11 and had been on a hot hitting streak, I remember stepping up to the plate and just wanting to get on base but it turned into so much more. I&#8217;ll never forget it. I was also really happy to help my team win. Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career? Definitely my dad &#8211; he has thrown thousands of baseballs to me for batting practice. I&#8217;ve also learned so much from all of my coaches, especially Mike Wasiluk and Steve Fanelli. They both know the game really well and motivate me to work hard. What was your favorite baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on? Cooperstown. The whole complete being baseball themed was awesome. I really enjoyed the atmosphere there. Also, spending a whole week with my team and getting people from all over the country who love baseball was very fun. What are your goals for 2025? I want to work on my defense and pitching this year. I&#8217;d like to consistently throw at a higher velocity, both on the mound and in the field and also get more batters to strike out. How have you enjoyed your time with LI Elite? LI Elite has been great. I love how the coaches are so dedicated to improving baseball players. Greg Thomson and Rob Savarese especially helped me through my journey as an Elite player. I am also looking forward to being coached by JJ McLaughlin this summer. Do you work with any private hitting instructors? I&#8217;ve worked with Rob Savarese for pitching, Greg Thomson for hitting and Ronnie Bauer for lifting. All three of them have helped me develop as a player. Favorite app on your phone? Block Blast Favorite restaurant on Long Island? Smok-Haus Any pregame superstitions? I listen to really loud music in the car, and put on a lot of eyeblack. Favorite TV Show and movie? My favorite TV show is &#8220;Big Bang Theory&#8221; and my favorite movie is &#8220;Predator&#8221;. Dream Car? Jeep Wrangler Favorite vacation spot? Iceland. I&#8217;ve been there 3 times, and have seen volcanoes and glaciers. My favorite memory is four-wheeling on a black sand beach. Walk-up song for 2025? Wherever I May Roam &#8211; Metallica &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/10/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-lucas-sweeting/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Lucas Sweeting</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>(Editor’s Note: This is the sixteenth 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 &amp; Tyler D&#8217;Amico. You can read them all by <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/tag/up-next-2024/">clicking here</a>. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.)</em></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">RBI triple by Lucas Sweeting (Hicksville 2029) <a href="https://t.co/e5REznDdLL">pic.twitter.com/e5REznDdLL</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1888952299696836637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Great hitters are hard to come by. Generally you either have it, or you don&#8217;t from a young age.</p>
<p><strong>Lucas Sweeting</strong> is one of those natural born hitters. It was a monster season for him, playing for 13u Elite Prospects Fanelli</p>
<ul>
<li>53 games played</li>
<li>59-for-137 (.431 AVG)</li>
<li>11 doubles</li>
<li>4 triples</li>
<li>49 RBIs</li>
<li>3 strikeouts</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rob Savarese</strong>, owner of LI Elite, had the following to say:</p>
<p>&#8220;Sweeting is a line drive gap-to-gap machine with a knack of finding the barrel. A recent growth spurt with added strength should translate into big in-game power in the near future. Lucas is hardworking, coachable kid who always hustles and puts the team first. Good defensive corner outfielder with sound baseball sense. His best days are ahead of him.&#8221;</p>
<p>I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-51417 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-768x467.png 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke.png 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><strong>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport?</strong></p>
<p>Yes, I feel baseball has always been my number one sport. I also rock climb competitively for a private team and I play other sports for school like basketball and volleyball. But baseball has been my favorite since I started playing t-ball when I was 4.</p>
<p><em><strong>Do you have any family members that played college sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>My Uncle Matt played soccer at Utica College and played for the NYPD soccer team. He&#8217;s fun and always up for playing sports with me at family functions.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who is your favorite player in Major League Baseball?</strong></em></p>
<p>Francisco Lindor, I really love watching him play and he always looks like he&#8217;s having so much fun on the field. I am also excited to watch Juan Soto play for the Mets for the next 15 years.</p>
<p><em><strong>What has been your most thrilling moment on a baseball field?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite moment was hitting my first home run. I was 11 and had been on a hot hitting streak, I remember stepping up to the plate and just wanting to get on base but it turned into so much more. I&#8217;ll never forget it. I was also really happy to help my team win.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career?</strong></em></p>
<p>Definitely my dad &#8211; he has thrown thousands of baseballs to me for batting practice. I&#8217;ve also learned so much from all of my coaches, especially Mike Wasiluk and Steve Fanelli. They both know the game really well and motivate me to work hard.</p>
<p><strong><em>What was your favorite baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</em></strong></p>
<p>Cooperstown. The whole complete being baseball themed was awesome. I really enjoyed the atmosphere there. Also, spending a whole week with my team and getting people from all over the country who love baseball was very fun.</p>
<p><em><strong>What are your goals for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>I want to work on my defense and pitching this year. I&#8217;d like to consistently throw at a higher velocity, both on the mound and in the field and also get more batters to strike out.</p>
<p><em><strong>How have you enjoyed your time with LI Elite?</strong></em></p>
<p>LI Elite has been great. I love how the coaches are so dedicated to improving baseball players. Greg Thomson and Rob Savarese especially helped me through my journey as an Elite player. I am also looking forward to being coached by JJ McLaughlin this summer.</p>
<p>Do you work with any private hitting instructors?</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve worked with Rob Savarese for pitching, Greg Thomson for hitting and Ronnie Bauer for lifting. All three of them have helped me develop as a player.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite app on your phone?</strong></em></p>
<p>Block Blast</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite restaurant on Long Island?</strong></em></p>
<p>Smok-Haus</p>
<p><em><strong>Any pregame superstitions?</strong></em></p>
<p>I listen to really loud music in the car, and put on a lot of eyeblack.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite TV Show and movie?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite TV show is &#8220;Big Bang Theory&#8221; and my favorite movie is &#8220;Predator&#8221;.</p>
<p><em><strong>Dream Car?</strong></em></p>
<p>Jeep Wrangler</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite vacation spot?</strong></em></p>
<p>Iceland. I&#8217;ve been there 3 times, and have seen volcanoes and glaciers. My favorite memory is four-wheeling on a black sand beach.</p>
<p><em><strong>Walk-up song for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>Wherever I May Roam &#8211; Metallica</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/10/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-lucas-sweeting/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Lucas Sweeting</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Tyler D&#8217;Amico</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/03/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-tyler-damico/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-tyler-damico</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:08:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEATURES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anthony D'Andrea]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BEAST]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Half Hollow Hills West]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hills West]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TJ Pecoraro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tyler D'Amico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next 2024]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=51553</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>(Editor&#8217;s Note: This is the fifteenth installment of the popular &#8220;Up Next&#8221; 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 and Aidan Dobrie. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year&#8217;s series.) Tyler D’Amico (Hills West 2028) pic.twitter.com/yCTNTnrnDF — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 3, 2025 It was an outstanding season for Tyler D&#8217;Amico while playing for Beast Black 14u. He accrued 218 at bats, compiling 111 hits (.509 AVG), with 24 extra-base hits and drove in a whopping 110 runs. On the bump, he struck out 78 batters over 70 innings with 51 hits allowed. His fastball was clocked at 79 in his last event in October. Not bad for a 14-year-old. In 9 PG Tournaments, he was named to 9 PG All-Tournament teams. His travel coach, Anthony D&#8217;Andrea, had the following to say&#8230; &#8220;I&#8217;ve had the privilege of coaching him since 8u, and it&#8217;s been incredible to watch his transformation. From a young player with dreams of improving to now being a dominant force on the field, his growth has been nothing short of impressive. What stands out most is his commitment to getting better &#8211; whether he&#8217;s in the gym or at practice, he&#8217;s always pushing himself to the next level. His consistency, work ethic and poise in any situation make him a true standout, and it&#8217;s been a pleasure to see him become the player he is today. As a teammate, he&#8217;s one of the most selfless player I&#8217;ve coached. He leads through action, always setting the tone with his work ethic and dedication. He never seeks the spotlight for himself but is always the first to encourage others, especially when things get tough. His ability to keep the team focused, motivation and working together is a testament to his character. He&#8217;s the kind of player who makes everyone around him better.&#8221; His pitching coach, TJ Pecoraro, added some insight as well. &#8220;Tyler has made tremendous progress the past two years. He&#8217;s gained a ton of strength and has really grown into his frame. He has one of the most disciplined work ethics I&#8217;ve seen from a player his age in a long time. I&#8217;m looking forward to a huge summer from him this year.&#8221; D&#8217;Amico is currently a freshman at Half Hollow Hills West. He played JV last season, and it shouldn&#8217;t be long before he&#8217;s an impact player for them. I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230; Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Yes, baseball has always been my number one sport. I also play volleyball at school. Any family members that played pro or college sports? My mom was an All-State volleyball player at Half Hollow HS West, where I am attending now, and she played NCAA Division-I volleyball at Stony Brook. Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career? My parents have sacrificed a lot of time and effort to enable me to play baseball and have been role models for me. Coach Anthony D&#8217;Andrea at BEAST has been instrumental in my life on and off the field for the past six years. He has helped developed me into the player I am today. Do you work with any private instructors ? Yes, I have pitching lessons with TJ Pecoraro at BEAST and batting lessons with Brad Jackson at Max Effort. What has been the most thrilling moment you&#8217;ve had on a baseball field? Definitely Ripken in Aberdeen, MD in the 12u semifinals against Northwest Elite, a strong team, when I hit a two-run homer to help secure a spot in the finals playing the same team. We went 7-0 that week and were the 12u Ripken Aberdeen Charm City Knockout Champions. It was an amazing feeling that day. Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on? Hands down, Cooperstown. I had so much fun staying in the bunks with my teammates and playing baseball everyday on those fields. We were 8-0 going into the semifinals against EBC (California), a team we previously beat, but unfortunately, we failed to clinch that game. Regardless, win or lose the whole experience with the team and playing on those fields was one of my best memories. What were you goals entering the offseason? My goals entering the offseason were to increase my velo to 85 MPH off the mound with the help of Coach TJ and Coach Alex at BEAST. I was in this program last year and my Velo increased 6 MPH. Additionally, I was looking to improve on my batting mechanics with Brad Jackson at Max Effort, to get stronger with strength training at Victory Sports Performance in Commack, and to continue to develop with the team in practices. I think these trainings will help me be ready for the 2025 season. How have you enjoyed your time with the BEAST? BEAST is a great organization. It has a state-of-the-art facility with a lot of space for batting, fielding, pitching and even has a weight room. The staff is always helpful and willing to share baseball knowledge. Coach Anthony has always been supportive and looked out for our best interests while Coach Dylan Stock, who recently joined BEAST, has improved our game. Goals for 2025? There&#8217;s always room for improvement. In 2025, I would like to get stronger and increase my exit velo at the plate and on the mound to be successful on the high school varsity team and with BEAST. I hope to be recognized for these achievements on baseball platforms and seen by colleges so I can be on their radar. Favorite app on your phone? Snapchat Favorite restaurant on Long Island? Chipotle What would be your walk-out song for 2025? Timeless by the Weeknd/Playboi Carti Favorite vacation spot? Hawaii Dream Car? Ford Bronco &#160;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/03/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-tyler-damico/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Tyler D&#8217;Amico</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>(Editor&#8217;s Note: This is the fifteenth installment of the popular &#8220;Up Next&#8221; 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 and Aidan Dobrie. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year&#8217;s series.)</em></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tyler D’Amico (Hills West 2028) <a href="https://t.co/yCTNTnrnDF">pic.twitter.com/yCTNTnrnDF</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1886415851735097372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>It was an outstanding season for <strong>Tyler D&#8217;Amico</strong> while playing for <strong>Beast Black 14u</strong>. He accrued 218 at bats, compiling 111 hits (.509 AVG), with 24 extra-base hits and drove in a whopping 110 runs. On the bump, he struck out 78 batters over 70 innings with 51 hits allowed. His fastball was clocked at 79 in his last event in October. Not bad for a 14-year-old.</p>
<p>In 9 PG Tournaments, he was named to 9 PG All-Tournament teams.</p>
<p>His travel coach,<strong> Anthony D&#8217;Andrea</strong>, had the following to say&#8230;</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve had the privilege of coaching him since 8u, and it&#8217;s been incredible to watch his transformation. From a young player with dreams of improving to now being a dominant force on the field, his growth has been nothing short of impressive. What stands out most is his commitment to getting better &#8211; whether he&#8217;s in the gym or at practice, he&#8217;s always pushing himself to the next level. His consistency, work ethic and poise in any situation make him a true standout, and it&#8217;s been a pleasure to see him become the player he is today. As a teammate, he&#8217;s one of the most selfless player I&#8217;ve coached. He leads through action, always setting the tone with his work ethic and dedication. He never seeks the spotlight for himself but is always the first to encourage others, especially when things get tough. His ability to keep the team focused, motivation and working together is a testament to his character. He&#8217;s the kind of player who makes everyone around him better.&#8221;</p>
<p>His pitching coach,<strong> TJ Pecoraro</strong>, added some insight as well.</p>
<p>&#8220;Tyler has made tremendous progress the past two years. He&#8217;s gained a ton of strength and has really grown into his frame. He has one of the most disciplined work ethics I&#8217;ve seen from a player his age in a long time. I&#8217;m looking forward to a huge summer from him this year.&#8221;</p>
<p>D&#8217;Amico is currently a freshman at<strong> Half Hollow Hills West</strong>. He played JV last season, and it shouldn&#8217;t be long before he&#8217;s an impact player for them.</p>
<p>I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-51417 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-768x467.png 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke.png 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em><strong>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport?</strong></em></p>
<p>Yes, baseball has always been my number one sport. I also play volleyball at school.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any family members that played pro or college sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>My mom was an All-State volleyball player at Half Hollow HS West, where I am attending now, and she played NCAA Division-I volleyball at Stony Brook.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career?</strong></em></p>
<p>My parents have sacrificed a lot of time and effort to enable me to play baseball and have been role models for me. Coach Anthony D&#8217;Andrea at BEAST has been instrumental in my life on and off the field for the past six years. He has helped developed me into the player I am today.</p>
<p><em><strong>Do you work with any private instructors ?</strong></em></p>
<p>Yes, I have pitching lessons with TJ Pecoraro at BEAST and batting lessons with Brad Jackson at Max Effort.</p>
<p><em><strong>What has been the most thrilling moment you&#8217;ve had on a baseball field?</strong></em></p>
<p>Definitely Ripken in Aberdeen, MD in the 12u semifinals against Northwest Elite, a strong team, when I hit a two-run homer to help secure a spot in the finals playing the same team. We went 7-0 that week and were the 12u Ripken Aberdeen Charm City Knockout Champions. It was an amazing feeling that day.</p>
<p><em><strong>Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</strong></em></p>
<p>Hands down, Cooperstown. I had so much fun staying in the bunks with my teammates and playing baseball everyday on those fields. We were 8-0 going into the semifinals against EBC (California), a team we previously beat, but unfortunately, we failed to clinch that game. Regardless, win or lose the whole experience with the team and playing on those fields was one of my best memories.</p>
<p><em><strong>What were you goals entering the offseason?</strong></em></p>
<p>My goals entering the offseason were to increase my velo to 85 MPH off the mound with the help of Coach TJ and Coach Alex at BEAST. I was in this program last year and my Velo increased 6 MPH. Additionally, I was looking to improve on my batting mechanics with Brad Jackson at Max Effort, to get stronger with strength training at Victory Sports Performance in Commack, and to continue to develop with the team in practices. I think these trainings will help me be ready for the 2025 season.</p>
<p><em><strong>How have you enjoyed your time with the BEAST?</strong></em></p>
<p>BEAST is a great organization. It has a state-of-the-art facility with a lot of space for batting, fielding, pitching and even has a weight room. The staff is always helpful and willing to share baseball knowledge. Coach Anthony has always been supportive and looked out for our best interests while Coach Dylan Stock, who recently joined BEAST, has improved our game.</p>
<p><em><strong>Goals for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>There&#8217;s always room for improvement. In 2025, I would like to get stronger and increase my exit velo at the plate and on the mound to be successful on the high school varsity team and with BEAST. I hope to be recognized for these achievements on baseball platforms and seen by colleges so I can be on their radar.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite app on your phone?</strong></em></p>
<p>Snapchat</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite restaurant on Long Island?</strong></em></p>
<p>Chipotle</p>
<p><em><strong>What would be your walk-out song for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>Timeless by the Weeknd/Playboi Carti</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite vacation spot?</strong></em></p>
<p>Hawaii</p>
<p><em><strong>Dream Car?</strong></em></p>
<p>Ford Bronco</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/02/03/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-tyler-damico/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Tyler D&#8217;Amico</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Aidan Dobrie</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/27/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-aidan-dobrie/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-aidan-dobrie</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 22:02:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEATURES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aidan Dobrie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heath Terry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next 2024]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next Series]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[William Floyd]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=51502</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Aidan Dobrie (William Floyd 2027) pic.twitter.com/F4t31p16fC — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 27, 2025 William Floyd was one of the pleasant surprises in Suffolk County last year. They finished with a record of 17-7. They went 15-5 in the highly competitive League I &#8211; behind only Longwood. They defeated Northport and Pat-Med before getting eliminated by a talented Walt Whitman team. One of their key contributors was actually a freshman, Aidan Dobrie. He was named All-League after batting .333 with a .417 OBP, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 23 RBIs and 18 runs scored for the Colonials. Keith Kobasiuk, who is now entering his 8th year at the helm stated that he&#8217;s never had a freshman be named All-League until Dobrie. He had the following to say about him. &#8220;He loves baseball. He genuinely loves the sport. He&#8217;s the first one at practice and the last to leave Winter workouts and that&#8217;s just his drive. He was named All-League and he deserved it. He made the team out of tryouts and by week 2 we said, yeah we made a good decision. He works and he has goals &#8211; he wants to be All-County and All-Long Island. He&#8217;s a goal-driven kid. Great student and great in the classroom. He&#8217;s going to be a real phenomenal player. He&#8217;s only 5&#8217;7 or 5&#8217;8 but you know what, he wants it. Sometimes it&#8217;s tough to find those guys.&#8221; He continued that momentum into the summer for 5 Star, batting .338 (24-for-71) with .473 OBP and .493 SLG. Terry noted he played Gold Glove-caliber defense as well. He was named to 3 PG All-Tournament teams His summer coach, Heath Terry, spoke extremely highly of him: &#8220;Aidan is a very special player. He brings a focused energy to every practice and game that is unmatched. The best part of Aidan&#8217;s game is his consistency throughout the course of the season. He is always contributing to the team in a positive way, whether it&#8217;s a game saving catch, throwing a runner out at 3rd or driving in a go-ahead run. He is always making himself a factor in our games. He has a bright future ahead of him and it&#8217;s been a pleasure to watch him perform the way he has.&#8221; I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230; Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Baseball has always been my number 1 sport, but I do enjoy playing basketball and football in my free time. Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career? My older brother, Kyle, has always had a positive impact on my career. Growing up with the game and watching him play helped my development enormously. He&#8217;s always pushed me from day one and I wouldn&#8217;t be able to be here without him being by my side every step. What was it like playing on varsity as a freshman? Playing on varsity as a freshman was a roller coaster. From being told I wasn&#8217;t good enough and I was too short growing up, really helped me push through. Also, the juniors and seniors on the team really helped make me believe I truly belonged. But when I was on the team it was a blast to play with that group of guys. Who is your favorite player in Major League Baseball? My favorite player in the Major Leagues is Owaldo Cabrera. He&#8217;s just the ultimate utility guy, and I got the chance to meet him and he was just an amazing person all around. Do you take lessons with any private instructors? I take lessons with Coach Brown from 5 Star right now for hitting, but when I was younger I used to take lessons with Coach Kerman and he was a great instructor. Also I am on a lifting program with Coach Perch. What was the best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on? My favorite baseball trip I&#8217;ve ever been on was when I went to Virginia last summer. It was a great experience with my team and all around just an amazing time hanging out with my dad. Most thrilling moment you&#8217;ve had on a baseball field? The most thrilling experience I&#8217;ve had on a baseball field was at Ripken. It was the bottom of the fifth in 10u and they intentionally walked the guy in front of me to load the bases. Then on the first pitch, I hit a triple that ended up turning into a home run when there was an error, which ended up winning us the game. How have you enjoyed your time with 5 Star? 5 Star has been nothing short of amazing. They always treat the players with the utmost respect and let us use the facilities anytime. Coach Heath and Coach Brown want nothing short of the best for the players. Favorite Movie? Step Brothers Any pregame superstitions? Before every game, I have to have an energy drink of some sort. Favorite app on your phone? Snapchat Walkup song for 2025? Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus Favorite Restaurant on Long Island? Longhorn Steakhouse in East Farmingdale Any goals for 2025? Take the next step and get All-County Favorite vacation ? Going on a cruise with my whole family. Dream Car? Anything that gets me from Point A to Point B</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/27/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-aidan-dobrie/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Aidan Dobrie</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Aidan Dobrie (William Floyd 2027) <a href="https://t.co/F4t31p16fC">pic.twitter.com/F4t31p16fC</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1884001503125594396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>William Floyd</strong> was one of the pleasant surprises in Suffolk County last year. They finished with a record of 17-7. They went 15-5 in the highly competitive League I &#8211; behind only <strong>Longwood.</strong> They defeated<strong> Northport</strong> and <strong>Pat-Med</strong> before getting eliminated by a talented<strong> Walt Whitman</strong> team.</p>
<p>One of their key contributors was actually a freshman, <strong>Aidan Dobrie</strong>. He was named All-League after batting .333 with a .417 OBP, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 23 RBIs and 18 runs scored for the Colonials.</p>
<p><strong>Keith Kobasiuk</strong>, who is now entering his 8th year at the helm stated that he&#8217;s never had a freshman be named All-League until Dobrie. He had the following to say about him.</p>
<p>&#8220;He loves baseball. He genuinely loves the sport. He&#8217;s the first one at practice and the last to leave Winter workouts and that&#8217;s just his drive. He was named All-League and he deserved it. He made the team out of tryouts and by week 2 we said, yeah we made a good decision. He works and he has goals &#8211; he wants to be All-County and All-Long Island. He&#8217;s a goal-driven kid. Great student and great in the classroom. He&#8217;s going to be a real phenomenal player. He&#8217;s only 5&#8217;7 or 5&#8217;8 but you know what, he wants it. Sometimes it&#8217;s tough to find those guys.&#8221;</p>
<p>He continued that momentum into the summer for 5 Star, batting .338 (24-for-71) with .473 OBP and .493 SLG. Terry noted he played Gold Glove-caliber defense as well. He was named to 3 PG All-Tournament teams</p>
<p>His summer coach, <strong>Heath Terry</strong>, spoke extremely highly of him:</p>
<p>&#8220;Aidan is a very special player. He brings a focused energy to every practice and game that is unmatched. The best part of Aidan&#8217;s game is his consistency throughout the course of the season. He is always contributing to the team in a positive way, whether it&#8217;s a game saving catch, throwing a runner out at 3rd or driving in a go-ahead run. He is always making himself a factor in our games. He has a bright future ahead of him and it&#8217;s been a pleasure to watch him perform the way he has.&#8221;</p>
<p>I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-51417 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-768x467.png 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke.png 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em><strong>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport?</strong></em></p>
<p>Baseball has always been my number 1 sport, but I do enjoy playing basketball and football in my free time.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career?</strong></em></p>
<p>My older brother, Kyle, has always had a positive impact on my career. Growing up with the game and watching him play helped my development enormously. He&#8217;s always pushed me from day one and I wouldn&#8217;t be able to be here without him being by my side every step.</p>
<p><em><strong>What was it like playing on varsity as a freshman?</strong></em></p>
<p>Playing on varsity as a freshman was a roller coaster. From being told I wasn&#8217;t good enough and I was too short growing up, really helped me push through. Also, the juniors and seniors on the team really helped make me believe I truly belonged. But when I was on the team it was a blast to play with that group of guys.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who is your favorite player in Major League Baseball?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite player in the Major Leagues is Owaldo Cabrera. He&#8217;s just the ultimate utility guy, and I got the chance to meet him and he was just an amazing person all around.</p>
<p><em><strong>Do you take lessons with any private instructors?</strong></em></p>
<p>I take lessons with Coach Brown from 5 Star right now for hitting, but when I was younger I used to take lessons with Coach Kerman and he was a great instructor. Also I am on a lifting program with Coach Perch.</p>
<p><em><strong>What was the best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite baseball trip I&#8217;ve ever been on was when I went to Virginia last summer. It was a great experience with my team and all around just an amazing time hanging out with my dad.</p>
<p><em><strong>Most thrilling moment you&#8217;ve had on a baseball field?</strong></em></p>
<p>The most thrilling experience I&#8217;ve had on a baseball field was at Ripken. It was the bottom of the fifth in 10u and they intentionally walked the guy in front of me to load the bases. Then on the first pitch, I hit a triple that ended up turning into a home run when there was an error, which ended up winning us the game.</p>
<p><em><strong>How have you enjoyed your time with 5 Star?</strong></em></p>
<p>5 Star has been nothing short of amazing. They always treat the players with the utmost respect and let us use the facilities anytime. Coach Heath and Coach Brown want nothing short of the best for the players.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite Movie?</strong></em></p>
<p>Step Brothers</p>
<p><em><strong>Any pregame superstitions?</strong></em></p>
<p>Before every game, I have to have an energy drink of some sort.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite app on your phone?</strong></em></p>
<p>Snapchat</p>
<p><em><strong>Walkup song for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus</p>
<p><strong>Favorite Restaurant on Long Island?</strong></p>
<p>Longhorn Steakhouse in East Farmingdale</p>
<p><strong>Any goals for 2025?</strong></p>
<p>Take the next step and get All-County</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite vacation ?</strong></em></p>
<p>Going on a cruise with my whole family.</p>
<p><em><strong>Dream Car?</strong></em></p>
<p>Anything that gets me from Point A to Point B</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/27/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-aidan-dobrie/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Aidan Dobrie</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Dylan Frers</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/23/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-dylan-frers/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-dylan-frers</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:47:03 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Dylan Frers]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=51481</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This is the thirteenth 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, Mason Gatchalian, Jagger Franco, Evan Frangas &#38; Dylan Frers. You can view all of them by clicking here. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Dylan Frers (‘27 NY) has been dominant on the mound today, up to 84 mph and picked up 7 Ks in 5 scoreless IP. Tons of projection remaining in towering frame, overall ease to the operation w/ plenty more in the tank #NESelectChamp@PG_Scouting pic.twitter.com/D0bMGsJktV — PG Mid Atlantic (NY, NJ, PA, MD,DE,DC) (@PGMidAtlantic) August 10, 2024 The jump from middle school ball to JV is a pretty significant one. As is the jump from JV to varsity ball. Now imagine not only skipping the jump from JV but also being on the mound in the Class A Long Island Championship against perennial powerhouse Clarke. That was the situation that Kings Park RHP Dylan Frers found himself in last year. He was a part of one of the most talented pitching staffs on Long Island headed by Carl Yastrzemski Award winner Hunter Colagrande. On June 1, he was put in the game with a trip to Binghamton on the line. All he did was enter with a runner on 2nd and 0 out in the 9th inning in a 1-1 game. The run came around to score on an error, he escaped without further damage and notched a strikeout. Kings Park wound up tying the game and winning on a walk-off balk to capture their first LIC since 2001. For the season, he pitched 8.2 innings in relief allowing 6 hits, 4 walks, 11 strikeouts and 2 ER (1.61 ERA) while notching 2 saves. At the plate, he went 6-for-17 with 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored, 5 walks and went 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs in the County Championship. His school ball coach, Andrew Abreu had the following to say: &#8220;As an eighth grader, Dylan was part of a skilled middle school team that lost only one game. He was the team&#8217;s ace, a top of the order bat and a starting 3rd baseman. He was projectable for sure as a middle school player. His arm action was loose as he was sitting in the mid to high 70s. He opened our eyes the following year we he faced out returning varsity players and completely overmatched them. Very rarely do you see a player make the jump from middle school straight to varsity (We have seen it with now senior catcher Vincenzo Buffolino). but undoubtedly he belonged on a varsity field. His confidence grew as it became more apparent each day that he could compete at the varsity level. He possessed a low 80s fastball with a sharp breaking ball. He began the year as a relief pitcher, a defensive substitute and pinch hitter. But with each opportunity, Dylan made the most of it, eventually becoming a go-to guy out of the bullpen, starting every 3rd game at 3rd base and eventually becoming out DH. He had 3 RBIs in the County Championship and was the winning pitcher in relief for the Long Island Championship. Having the opportunity to be around the upperclassmen we had such as Hunter Colagrande, Anthony Altobelli, Brandon Hauk and Mitchell Landau on a daily basis was such an enormous deal. He learned so much, but most importantly, I think the biggest lesson learned for him was that to be great, the work ethic aligns with your goals. He made the decision to train at Velo U this offseason alongside Everett Zarzicki. He is working to get stronger and continue to develop his game to the next level. His fastball sits in the mid-high 80s and he&#8217;s worked to continue to develop feel for a 3rd pitch. He&#8217;s an A+ dude, who has a great head on his shoulders and brings the fun to every practice, workout and game. We&#8217;re excited to see him compete this Spring and continue to develop.&#8221; Taking the hill for Beast Molinaro is Dylan Frers (Kings Park 2027) pic.twitter.com/xvYPfFCZvA — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 22, 2024 Over the summer, he pitched for 2027 Beast National, going 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA. He struck out 43 batters over 33 innings. He&#8217;s currently ranked #17 2027 RHP in NY by Perfect Game. He was named to 4 All-Tournament teams by PG. At the dish, he batted .353 with 7 doubles, 12 RBIs, 12 runs scored and 9 walks. He&#8217;s now on Body Armor 2027 for this upcoming summer. Baseball is in his blood. His father Brian, a 2003 graduate of Division HS, played for legendary coach Doug Robins. His uncle, Vin Causeman, was a member of the undefeated 1994 MacArthur squad and was the all-time hits leader at Stony Brook for many years. Brian, along with Mike Zarzicki (Everett&#8217;s father) and Rob Rizzo (Carl Yastrzemski Award winner in 1997) coached him with the Kings Park Pride from 7u-14u. Together, those two form a dynamic 1-2 punch atop the Kings Park rotation for the next three seasons. They are both hard throwing sophomore with a year of experience pitching in the pressure cooker of the postseason. I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230; What was the experience like winning the LIC as a freshman? Were there any upperclassmen that helped take you under their wing? Winning the LIC was a surreal moment for me. From playing middle school baseball a year before to playing in one of the biggest high school games you can play in was awesome. Every upperclassmen was great to me and helped me develop as a player. Being around guys like Hunter Colagrande and Vincenzo Buffolino showed me how to be a great teammate and show what it takes to win. Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Yes, baseball has always been my number one sport. I do not play any other sports. Any family members that played college sports? Yes, my uncle Vincent Causeman. He played baseball at Stony Brook University. He is someone I always looked up to and has always been there for me. Who are your favorite players in Major League Baseball? My favorite player right now is Gerrit Cole because I am a Yankee fan and I love seeing him dominate in big games. Tim Lincecum is also a favorite of mine and I try to model my pitching after his. What were your goals for this offseason? Some of my goals this offseason was gaining weight, lifting more and throwing harder. What are your goals for 2025? Go back to Binghamton and win States. Do you work with any private instructors? Yes, I work with VeloU. My coaches there Paul Franzese and Sam Byrns have helped me a lot as I&#8217;ve gained 8 MPH in 7 months. What was the best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on? The best trip I&#8217;ve been on for baseball was going to Binghamton in June 2024 for the NYS high school tournament. Favorite app on your phone? Instagram Favorite TV Show? Ted Lasso Favorite restaurant on Long Island? Ciro&#8217;s in Kings Park Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career? There are many people who have impacted me during my career. My family has always supported me through my career. There have been many coaches who have helped me improve my game, especially Coach Andrew Abreu, my high school coach. Other coaches that have helped me are Coach Eric Weiner of the Titans, Coach Bobby Molinaro of Team Beast and Coach Erik Cabrera who is another one of my high school coaches. Favorite vacation spot? Charleston, SC Dream Car? Ford Truck &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/23/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-dylan-frers/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Dylan Frers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is the thirteenth installment of the popular ‘Up Next’ series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island.</em><em>Previously, we featured Dylan Weinstein, Jaxson Torres, Richie Roberts, Joe Maxwell, Dom Muccia, Fred Klauck, Logan Lamberson, Jake Ostertag, Mason Gatchalian, Jagger Franco, Evan Frangas &amp; Dylan Frers. You can view all of them by <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/tag/up-next-2024/">clicking here</a>. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.)</em></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dylan Frers (‘27 NY) has been dominant on the mound today, up to 84 mph and picked up 7 Ks in 5 scoreless IP. Tons of projection remaining in towering frame, overall ease to the operation w/ plenty more in the tank <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NESelectChamp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NESelectChamp</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PG_Scouting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PG_Scouting</a> <a href="https://t.co/D0bMGsJktV">pic.twitter.com/D0bMGsJktV</a></p>
<p>— PG Mid Atlantic (NY, NJ, PA, MD,DE,DC) (@PGMidAtlantic) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGMidAtlantic/status/1822371447206982127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The jump from middle school ball to JV is a pretty significant one. As is the jump from JV to varsity ball. Now imagine not only skipping the jump from JV but also being on the mound in the Class A Long Island Championship against perennial powerhouse Clarke.</p>
<p>That was the situation that Kings Park RHP <strong>Dylan Frers</strong> found himself in last year. He was a part of one of the most talented pitching staffs on Long Island headed by Carl Yastrzemski Award winner <strong>Hunter Colagrande</strong>. On June 1, he was put in the game with a trip to Binghamton on the line. All he did was enter with a runner on 2nd and 0 out in the 9th inning in a 1-1 game. The run came around to score on an error, he escaped without further damage and notched a strikeout. Kings Park wound up tying the game and winning on a walk-off balk to capture their first LIC since 2001.</p>
<p>For the season, he pitched 8.2 innings in relief allowing 6 hits, 4 walks, 11 strikeouts and 2 ER (1.61 ERA) while notching 2 saves. At the plate, he went 6-for-17 with 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored, 5 walks and went 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs in the County Championship.</p>
<p>His school ball coach, Andrew Abreu had the following to say:</p>
<p>&#8220;As an eighth grader, Dylan was part of a skilled middle school team that lost only one game. He was the team&#8217;s ace, a top of the order bat and a starting 3rd baseman. He was projectable for sure as a middle school player. His arm action was loose as he was sitting in the mid to high 70s.</p>
<p>He opened our eyes the following year we he faced out returning varsity players and completely overmatched them. Very rarely do you see a player make the jump from middle school straight to varsity (We have seen it with now senior catcher <strong>Vincenzo Buffolino</strong>). but undoubtedly he belonged on a varsity field. His confidence grew as it became more apparent each day that he could compete at the varsity level. He possessed a low 80s fastball with a sharp breaking ball. He began the year as a relief pitcher, a defensive substitute and pinch hitter. But with each opportunity, Dylan made the most of it, eventually becoming a go-to guy out of the bullpen, starting every 3rd game at 3rd base and eventually becoming out DH. He had 3 RBIs in the County Championship and was the winning pitcher in relief for the Long Island Championship.</p>
<p>Having the opportunity to be around the upperclassmen we had such as <strong>Hunter Colagrande, Anthony Altobelli, Brandon Hauk</strong> and <strong>Mitchell Landau</strong> on a daily basis was such an enormous deal. He learned so much, but most importantly, I think the biggest lesson learned for him was that to be great, the work ethic aligns with your goals.</p>
<p>He made the decision to train at Velo U this offseason alongside <strong>Everett Zarzicki</strong>. He is working to get stronger and continue to develop his game to the next level. His fastball sits in the mid-high 80s and he&#8217;s worked to continue to develop feel for a 3rd pitch. He&#8217;s an A+ dude, who has a great head on his shoulders and brings the fun to every practice, workout and game. We&#8217;re excited to see him compete this Spring and continue to develop.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Taking the hill for Beast Molinaro is Dylan Frers (Kings Park 2027) <a href="https://t.co/xvYPfFCZvA">pic.twitter.com/xvYPfFCZvA</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1804552787620991371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Over the summer, he pitched for 2027 Beast National, going 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA. He struck out 43 batters over 33 innings. He&#8217;s currently ranked #17 2027 RHP in NY by Perfect Game. He was named to 4 All-Tournament teams by PG. At the dish, he batted .353 with 7 doubles, 12 RBIs, 12 runs scored and 9 walks. He&#8217;s now on Body Armor 2027 for this upcoming summer.</p>
<p>Baseball is in his blood. His father Brian, a 2003 graduate of Division HS, played for legendary coach<strong> Doug Robins</strong>. His uncle, <strong>Vin Causeman</strong>, was a member of the undefeated 1994 MacArthur squad and was the all-time hits leader at Stony Brook for many years.</p>
<p>Brian, along with <strong>Mike Zarzicki</strong> (Everett&#8217;s father) and <strong>Rob Rizzo</strong> (Carl Yastrzemski Award winner in 1997) coached him with the Kings Park Pride from 7u-14u. Together, those two form a dynamic 1-2 punch atop the Kings Park rotation for the next three seasons. They are both hard throwing sophomore with a year of experience pitching in the pressure cooker of the postseason.</p>
<p>I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-51417 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-768x467.png 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke.png 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em><strong>What was the experience like winning the LIC as a freshman? Were there any upperclassmen that helped take you under their wing?</strong></em></p>
<p>Winning the LIC was a surreal moment for me. From playing middle school baseball a year before to playing in one of the biggest high school games you can play in was awesome. Every upperclassmen was great to me and helped me develop as a player. Being around guys like Hunter Colagrande and Vincenzo Buffolino showed me how to be a great teammate and show what it takes to win.</p>
<p><em><strong>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport?</strong></em></p>
<p>Yes, baseball has always been my number one sport. I do not play any other sports.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any family members that played college sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>Yes, my uncle Vincent Causeman. He played baseball at Stony Brook University. He is someone I always looked up to and has always been there for me.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are your favorite players in Major League Baseball?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite player right now is Gerrit Cole because I am a Yankee fan and I love seeing him dominate in big games. Tim Lincecum is also a favorite of mine and I try to model my pitching after his.</p>
<p><em><strong>What were your goals for this offseason?</strong></em></p>
<p>Some of my goals this offseason was gaining weight, lifting more and throwing harder.</p>
<p><em><strong>What are your goals for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>Go back to Binghamton and win States.</p>
<p><em><strong>Do you work with any private instructors?</strong></em></p>
<p>Yes, I work with VeloU. My coaches there Paul Franzese and Sam Byrns have helped me a lot as I&#8217;ve gained 8 MPH in 7 months.</p>
<p><em><strong>What was the best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</strong></em></p>
<p>The best trip I&#8217;ve been on for baseball was going to Binghamton in June 2024 for the NYS high school tournament.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite app on your phone?</strong></em></p>
<p>Instagram</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite TV Show?</strong></em></p>
<p>Ted Lasso</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite restaurant on Long Island?</strong></em></p>
<p>Ciro&#8217;s in Kings Park</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career?</strong></em></p>
<p>There are many people who have impacted me during my career. My family has always supported me through my career. There have been many coaches who have helped me improve my game, especially Coach Andrew Abreu, my high school coach. Other coaches that have helped me are Coach Eric Weiner of the Titans, Coach Bobby Molinaro of Team Beast and Coach Erik Cabrera who is another one of my high school coaches.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite vacation spot?</strong></em></p>
<p>Charleston, SC</p>
<p><em><strong>Dream Car?</strong></em></p>
<p>Ford Truck</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/23/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-dylan-frers/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Dylan Frers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Ryan Matson</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/19/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-ryan-matson/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-ryan-matson</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jan 2025 02:39:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Ryan Matson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. Anthony's]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Up Next 2024]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=51466</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This is the twelfth 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, Mason Gatchalian, Jagger Franco &#38; Evan Frangas. You can view all of them by clicking here. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Over the past two seasons, if there was a big game to be played for the New York Longhorns then you could expect Ryan Matson to be on the mound. The Longhorns have been among the top performing organizations since their inception so you can safely assume there were plenty of those games. The numbers are pretty mind boggling for the 6&#8217;1 175 lb right-hander since September 2023: 6’1 RHP Ryan Matson (St. Anthony’s 2028) pic.twitter.com/n4FXmEMYlK — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 20, 2025 32 appearances (28 starts) 22 wins, 1 loss, 1 save 1.67 ERA As you could expect, he was rewarded with plenty of accolades &#8211; 7x PG All Tournament, 2x PG Pitcher MVP. Erik Paulsen Sr, who is the founder of the organization had the following to say: Ryan started with the New York Longhorns at 13u and over the last two years he has been called on to pitch every big game for us. Obviously, we would love to always save Ryan for the championship game but in elevation tournaments he is getting the ball against the toughest team every time. You could say baseball is in his blood &#8211; his grandfather, Al Matson, played in the 1968 College World Series in Omaha with St. John&#8217;s University and was a first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970. Ryan is a freshman at St. Anthony&#8217;s, the reigning CHSAA Champs, who have plenty of talent in the pipeline. He looks like he could be among those. He spoke to Axcess Baseball and he had the following to say&#8230; Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play other sports? Baseball has always been my favorite and best sport. I also played basketball and volleyball through 8th grade. So far at St. Anthony&#8217;s is just baseball. Any family members played college sports? My late grandfather, Al Matson, started in right field at St. John&#8217;s on their 1968 College World Series team. He was also drafted in the 1st round of the 1970 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, playing 3 years in the minor leagues. My mom and dad played two years each of basketball in college and my cousin, Louis Pizzileo, currently pitches in college for Old Westbury. Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career? My parents and grandparents always support me, win or lose. My coaches at LSW and the NY Longhorns have also been great in teaching me the right way to play the game and making sure the highs aren&#8217;t too high and the lows aren&#8217;t too low. What has been the most thrilling moment of your career? This past summer I was named MVPitcher of the PG Northeast Select Championship when I pitched for the Longhorns in the semifinals vs. Beast Black, one of the best teams around. We won, 2-1, and I was one batter away from a complete game when I reached the mandatory pitch limit. After we lost in the finals, I didn&#8217;t expect to receive the award, and it was definitely a thrill when I did. How have you enjoyed your time with the Longhorns? My time with the Longhorns has been great. I am learning a lot from Coach Erik Paulsen and all our coaches about the game and what it takes to get to an elite level. The practices are excellent and playing in a lot of competitive games with teammates that are now friends has been fun. What were your goals going into the offseason? I am working on getting stronger and becoming more athletic. Eating better and working out consistently and becoming a more consistent hitter and first baseman. Do you take private lessons with any instructors? For pitching, I work with Anthony Papa at Prospect Sports. I&#8217;ve hit with Brian Anderson at Prospect, and recently with Dan Luisi at Max Effort as part of Longhorns small group training. Leo Thomas in the weight room at Prospect has also been great. What are your goals for 2025? I&#8217;d like to get my velocity above 80 MPH by the time the Spring season begins, developing more consistent off-speed pitches as well. Working hard to get more chances to hit and play the field as well when I am not pitching. Also want to support my teammates in any way I can. What was the best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on? Cooperstown during 12u with the LSW Astros. Even through we lost in the quarterfinals, it was a great week with coaches and teammates I had been with for 5 years. Staying in the bunks with everyone was a lot of fun and the fields at All Star Village were great. Favorite app on your phone? Bleacher Report &#8211; so I can keep up with the news on all my favorite sports teams as it happens. Any pregame superstitions? I like to try and get to the field first before any of my teammates, and I usually don&#8217;t like to eat close to gamete. Favorite restaurant on Long Island? Snaps American Bistro in Wantagh. Great lobster Mac &#38; Cheese. Walkup song for 2025? Enter Sandman by Metallica, because of my favorite baseball player, #42 &#8211; Mariano Rivera Favorite vacation spot? Woodloch Pines in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We usually go with all my cousins and extended family, most of who I don&#8217;t get to see that often. It&#8217;s always a great time there. Favorite movie? Home Alone Dream Car? Lamborghini &#160; &#160;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/19/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-ryan-matson/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Ryan Matson</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is the twelfth installment of the popular ‘Up Next’ series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island.</em><em>Previously, we featured Dylan Weinstein, Jaxson Torres, Richie Roberts, Joe Maxwell, Dom Muccia, Fred Klauck, Logan Lamberson, Jake Ostertag, Mason Gatchalian, Jagger Franco &amp; Evan Frangas. You can view all of them by <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/tag/up-next-2024/">clicking here</a>. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.)</em></p>
<p>Over the past two seasons, if there was a big game to be played for the <strong>New York Longhorns</strong> then you could expect <strong>Ryan Matson</strong> to be on the mound. The Longhorns have been among the top performing organizations since their inception so you can safely assume there were plenty of those games.</p>
<p>The numbers are pretty mind boggling for the 6&#8217;1 175 lb right-hander since September 2023:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">6’1 RHP Ryan Matson (St. Anthony’s 2028) <a href="https://t.co/n4FXmEMYlK">pic.twitter.com/n4FXmEMYlK</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1881169300318552534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>32 appearances (28 starts)</p>
<p>22 wins, 1 loss, 1 save</p>
<p>1.67 ERA</p>
<p>As you could expect, he was rewarded with plenty of accolades &#8211; 7x PG All Tournament, 2x PG Pitcher MVP.</p>
<p><strong>Erik Paulsen Sr,</strong> who is the founder of the organization had the following to say:</p>
<p>Ryan started with the New York Longhorns at 13u and over the last two years he has been called on to pitch every big game for us. Obviously, we would love to always save Ryan for the championship game but in elevation tournaments he is getting the ball against the toughest team every time.</p>
<p>You could say baseball is in his blood &#8211; his grandfather, <strong>Al Matson</strong>, played in the 1968 College World Series in Omaha with St. John&#8217;s University and was a first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970.</p>
<p>Ryan is a freshman at St. Anthony&#8217;s, the reigning CHSAA Champs, who have plenty of talent in the pipeline. He looks like he could be among those.</p>
<p>He spoke to Axcess Baseball and he had the following to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-51417 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-768x467.png 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke.png 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em><strong>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play other sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>Baseball has always been my favorite and best sport. I also played basketball and volleyball through 8th grade. So far at St. Anthony&#8217;s is just baseball.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any family members played college sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>My late grandfather, Al Matson, started in right field at St. John&#8217;s on their 1968 College World Series team. He was also drafted in the 1st round of the 1970 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, playing 3 years in the minor leagues. My mom and dad played two years each of basketball in college and my cousin, Louis Pizzileo, currently pitches in college for Old Westbury.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career?</strong></em></p>
<p>My parents and grandparents always support me, win or lose. My coaches at LSW and the NY Longhorns have also been great in teaching me the right way to play the game and making sure the highs aren&#8217;t too high and the lows aren&#8217;t too low.</p>
<p><em><strong>What has been the most thrilling moment of your career?</strong></em></p>
<p>This past summer I was named MVPitcher of the PG Northeast Select Championship when I pitched for the Longhorns in the semifinals vs. Beast Black, one of the best teams around. We won, 2-1, and I was one batter away from a complete game when I reached the mandatory pitch limit. After we lost in the finals, I didn&#8217;t expect to receive the award, and it was definitely a thrill when I did.</p>
<p><em><strong>How have you enjoyed your time with the Longhorns?</strong></em></p>
<p>My time with the Longhorns has been great. I am learning a lot from Coach Erik Paulsen and all our coaches about the game and what it takes to get to an elite level. The practices are excellent and playing in a lot of competitive games with teammates that are now friends has been fun.</p>
<p><em><strong>What were your goals going into the offseason?</strong></em></p>
<p>I am working on getting stronger and becoming more athletic. Eating better and working out consistently and becoming a more consistent hitter and first baseman.</p>
<p><em><strong>Do you take private lessons with any instructors?</strong></em></p>
<p>For pitching, I work with Anthony Papa at Prospect Sports. I&#8217;ve hit with Brian Anderson at Prospect, and recently with Dan Luisi at Max Effort as part of Longhorns small group training. Leo Thomas in the weight room at Prospect has also been great.</p>
<p><em><strong>What are your goals for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>I&#8217;d like to get my velocity above 80 MPH by the time the Spring season begins, developing more consistent off-speed pitches as well. Working hard to get more chances to hit and play the field as well when I am not pitching. Also want to support my teammates in any way I can.</p>
<p><em><strong>What was the best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</strong></em></p>
<p>Cooperstown during 12u with the LSW Astros. Even through we lost in the quarterfinals, it was a great week with coaches and teammates I had been with for 5 years. Staying in the bunks with everyone was a lot of fun and the fields at All Star Village were great.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite app on your phone?</strong></em></p>
<p>Bleacher Report &#8211; so I can keep up with the news on all my favorite sports teams as it happens.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any pregame superstitions?</strong></em></p>
<p>I like to try and get to the field first before any of my teammates, and I usually don&#8217;t like to eat close to gamete.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite restaurant on Long Island?</strong></em></p>
<p>Snaps American Bistro in Wantagh. Great lobster Mac &amp; Cheese.</p>
<p><em><strong>Walkup song for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>Enter Sandman by Metallica, because of my favorite baseball player, #42 &#8211; Mariano Rivera</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite vacation spot?</strong></em></p>
<p>Woodloch Pines in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We usually go with all my cousins and extended family, most of who I don&#8217;t get to see that often. It&#8217;s always a great time there.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite movie?</strong></em></p>
<p>Home Alone</p>
<p><em><strong>Dream Car?</strong></em></p>
<p>Lamborghini</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/19/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-ryan-matson/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Ryan Matson</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Evan Frangas</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/13/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-evan-frangas/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-evan-frangas</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:39:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEATURES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Evan Frangas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plainview JFK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Team Francisco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next 2024]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=51443</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>(This is the eleventh installment of the popular &#8216;Up Next&#8217; 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, Mason Gatchalian &#38; Jagger Franco. You can view all of them by clicking here. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Evan Frangas (Plainview JFK 2028) pic.twitter.com/1JtKbsGdV0 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 13, 2025 Plainview JFK has been one of the more consistent program in Nassau County over the past 7 seasons when they were led by Diamond Award winner Mark Faello. Since that time, they&#8217;ve also had Dylan Banner and Mike D&#8217;Ambrosio put up huge seasons and walkaway with some hardware. Both of them posted some of the best two-way seasons we&#8217;ve seen on Long Island. Although he&#8217;s just entering his freshman season, there&#8217;s another player in the pipeline that potentially could have that type of impact. Enter Evan Frangas, a LHP and 1B that also bats from the left side. His school ball coach, John Givargidze, noted he&#8217;s been familiar with him for years as he was his elementary school teacher. He said he&#8217;ll have an opportunity to try out for varsity come spring time. He&#8217;ll only be the fifth player in Givargidze&#8217;s 12 years to be allowed that opportunity &#8211; and they are all recognizable names. Mark Faello (Diamond Award winner &#8211; pitched in pro ball) Dylan Banner (Diamond Award winner &#8211; Univ. at Albany) Mike D&#8217;Ambrosio (Diamond Award winner &#8211; Hofstra University) Sebastian Lippman (Georgia Tech) History suggests he&#8217;ll be at least a college ballplayer if he adds his name to that. It was a monster season for Frangas playing for Team Francisco Notorious 9. Hitting: .481 AVG/.566 OBP/.864 SLG/1.430 OPS 6 HRs, 24 doubles, 10 triples, 30 BBs, 64 RBIs, 77 R, 29 stolen bases over 62 games Pitching: 5-1 record, 60 Ks over 43 innings His coach, Joe Francisco, had the following to say: &#8220;Evan is one of the most dynamic players in the country at 14u with plus bat speed and explosive power. He has the ability to dominate a game in all facets whether it is hitting, pitching or with his speed/athleticism combination. His projection and upside rivals any player that we&#8217;ve had in the organization. I&#8217;m extremely excited to see what the future holds for Evan.&#8221; I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230; Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play any other sports? Baseball has always been my main sport since I was 5-years-old. I have had a passion for baseball since I was young; practicing and playing as much as possible for as long as I can remember. I also play volleyball for my school team. Any family members that played college sports? My cousin, Alex Hospodar, is currently a Division-I softball pitcher. She plays for Stonehill College in Massachusetts. What was the most thrilling moment you&#8217;ve had on a baseball field? The most thrilling moment I&#8217;ve had on a baseball field was hitting my first home run. This was a special moment for me during my 11u season because when I was younger, I had always dreamed of hitting one over. So when it finally happened, it was a huge moment for me that I will never forget. How have you enjoyed your time with Team Francisco? I have really enjoyed my time playing for Team Francisco because we have the best training on Long Island. Joe always puts our team in the best tournaments, against the best competition. I have teammates who are just as hardworking and passionate about baseball as I am. We work hard and it pays off. We have won many high level tournaments like PG. I have enjoyed learning more about the game and improving with my teammates. Do you take private lessons with any instructors?  I have never taken private lessons with any instructors. I train with my dad, both on and offseason since I started playing baseball. My dad has been the biggest influence on my baseball career. He has taught me so much about the game and is my biggest supporter. What was your goal for this offseason? One of my goals for this offseason was to work on strength and speed, as well as further develop my pitches. I believe that one of the greatest keys to success in baseball is putting in the time and getting as many reps as possible. Any personal goals for 2025? One of my personal goals for 2025 is to learn and refine a few new pitches, as well as improving my exit Velo through strength training. Favorite players in Major League Baseball? My favorite player in the MLB is Shohei Ohtani because of his two-way abilities and work ethic. Favorite baseball movie? The Sandlot. It is a funny movie that brings me back good memories from when I was younger. Favorite app on your phone? TikTok Walk-up song for 2025? Major Distribution by Drake Favorite restaurant on Long Island? My favorite restaurant is One10 in Melville. Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on? The best baseball trip I have ever been on were my weeks in Cooperstown. I went to Cooperstown two years in a row, at 11 and 12 years old, and got to experience both parks. Traveling with my team to play baseball for a full week was one of the greatest experiences I&#8217;ve ever had. We made it to the final 8 at Dreams Park &#8211; which was very exciting. I will always remember the great competition and god times we had those weeks. Favorite vacation spot? My favorite vacation spot is Yellowstone National Park. We hiked in the mountains and saw a lot of wildlife I had not seen before. The hikes were difficult, but worth it in the end. Dream Car? Black Ferrari</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/13/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-evan-frangas/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Evan Frangas</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>(<em>This is the eleventh installment of the popular &#8216;Up Next&#8217; series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island.</em> <em>Previously, we featured Dylan Weinstein, Jaxson Torres, Richie Roberts, Joe Maxwell, Dom Muccia, Fred Klauck, Logan Lamberson, Jake Ostertag, Mason Gatchalian &amp; Jagger Franco. You can view all of them by <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/tag/up-next-2024/">clicking here</a>. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.)</em></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Evan Frangas (Plainview JFK 2028) <a href="https://t.co/1JtKbsGdV0">pic.twitter.com/1JtKbsGdV0</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1878812871351849469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>Plainview JFK</strong> has been one of the more consistent program in Nassau County over the past 7 seasons when they were led by Diamond Award winner<strong> Mark Faello.</strong> Since that time, they&#8217;ve also had<strong> Dylan Banner</strong> and <strong>Mike D&#8217;Ambrosio</strong> put up huge seasons and walkaway with some hardware. Both of them posted some of the best two-way seasons we&#8217;ve seen on Long Island.</p>
<p>Although he&#8217;s just entering his freshman season, there&#8217;s another player in the pipeline that potentially could have that type of impact.</p>
<p>Enter<strong> Evan Frangas</strong>, a LHP and 1B that also bats from the left side.</p>
<p>His school ball coach, <strong>John Givargidze</strong>, noted he&#8217;s been familiar with him for years as he was his elementary school teacher. He said he&#8217;ll have an opportunity to try out for varsity come spring time. He&#8217;ll only be the fifth player in Givargidze&#8217;s 12 years to be allowed that opportunity &#8211; and they are all recognizable names.</p>
<ul>
<li>Mark Faello (Diamond Award winner &#8211; pitched in pro ball)</li>
<li>Dylan Banner (Diamond Award winner &#8211; Univ. at Albany)</li>
<li>Mike D&#8217;Ambrosio (Diamond Award winner &#8211; Hofstra University)</li>
<li>Sebastian Lippman (Georgia Tech)</li>
</ul>
<p>History suggests he&#8217;ll be at least a college ballplayer if he adds his name to that. It was a monster season for Frangas playing for Team Francisco Notorious 9.</p>
<p><strong><em>Hitting:</em></strong></p>
<p>.481 AVG/.566 OBP/.864 SLG/1.430 OPS</p>
<p>6 HRs, 24 doubles, 10 triples, 30 BBs, 64 RBIs, 77 R, 29 stolen bases over 62 games</p>
<p><em><strong>Pitching:</strong></em></p>
<p>5-1 record, 60 Ks over 43 innings</p>
<p>His coach, <strong>Joe Francisco</strong>, had the following to say:</p>
<p>&#8220;Evan is one of the most dynamic players in the country at 14u with plus bat speed and explosive power. He has the ability to dominate a game in all facets whether it is hitting, pitching or with his speed/athleticism combination. His projection and upside rivals any player that we&#8217;ve had in the organization. I&#8217;m extremely excited to see what the future holds for Evan.&#8221;</p>
<p>I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-51417 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-768x467.png 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke.png 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em><strong>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play any other sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>Baseball has always been my main sport since I was 5-years-old. I have had a passion for baseball since I was young; practicing and playing as much as possible for as long as I can remember. I also play volleyball for my school team.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any family members that played college sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>My cousin, Alex Hospodar, is currently a Division-I softball pitcher. She plays for Stonehill College in Massachusetts.</p>
<p><em><strong>What was the most thrilling moment you&#8217;ve had on a baseball field?</strong></em></p>
<p>The most thrilling moment I&#8217;ve had on a baseball field was hitting my first home run. This was a special moment for me during my 11u season because when I was younger, I had always dreamed of hitting one over. So when it finally happened, it was a huge moment for me that I will never forget.</p>
<p><em><strong>How have you enjoyed your time with Team Francisco?</strong></em></p>
<p>I have really enjoyed my time playing for Team Francisco because we have the best training on Long Island. Joe always puts our team in the best tournaments, against the best competition. I have teammates who are just as hardworking and passionate about baseball as I am. We work hard and it pays off. We have won many high level tournaments like PG. I have enjoyed learning more about the game and improving with my teammates.</p>
<p><em><strong>Do you take private lessons with any instructors? </strong></em></p>
<p>I have never taken private lessons with any instructors. I train with my dad, both on and offseason since I started playing baseball. My dad has been the biggest influence on my baseball career. He has taught me so much about the game and is my biggest supporter.</p>
<p><em><strong>What was your goal for this offseason?</strong></em></p>
<p>One of my goals for this offseason was to work on strength and speed, as well as further develop my pitches. I believe that one of the greatest keys to success in baseball is putting in the time and getting as many reps as possible.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any personal goals for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>One of my personal goals for 2025 is to learn and refine a few new pitches, as well as improving my exit Velo through strength training.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite players in Major League Baseball?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite player in the MLB is Shohei Ohtani because of his two-way abilities and work ethic.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite baseball movie?</strong></em></p>
<p>The Sandlot. It is a funny movie that brings me back good memories from when I was younger.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite app on your phone?</strong></em></p>
<p>TikTok</p>
<p><em><strong>Walk-up song for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>Major Distribution by Drake</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite restaurant on Long Island?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite restaurant is One10 in Melville.</p>
<p><em><strong>Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</strong></em></p>
<p>The best baseball trip I have ever been on were my weeks in Cooperstown. I went to Cooperstown two years in a row, at 11 and 12 years old, and got to experience both parks. Traveling with my team to play baseball for a full week was one of the greatest experiences I&#8217;ve ever had. We made it to the final 8 at Dreams Park &#8211; which was very exciting. I will always remember the great competition and god times we had those weeks.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite vacation spot?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite vacation spot is Yellowstone National Park. We hiked in the mountains and saw a lot of wildlife I had not seen before. The hikes were difficult, but worth it in the end.</p>
<p><em><strong>Dream Car?</strong></em></p>
<p>Black Ferrari</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/13/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-evan-frangas/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Evan Frangas</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Jagger Franco</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/05/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-jagger-franco/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-jagger-franco</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Jan 2025 19:48:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEATURES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Line Rangers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jagger Franco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Longwood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next 2024]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=51423</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>(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 &#8211; unless it&#8217;s an absolute necessity. Jagger Franco (Longwood 2027) did so this past season on a few occasions while playing for the Blue Line Rangers. The ultra-athletic sophomore, is the type of player that can handle the workload of being a starting catcher, close out the game on a mound and provide punch offensively to hit in the top of the batting order. &#8220;Jagger is one of those rare, special players whose athleticism stands above everyone on the field. He will catch a game, then close it out. He&#8217;ll make crazy plays at short, get three hits and steal 4 bases. His versatility is extraordinary,&#8221; said coach Eric Strovink. &#8220;He&#8217;s an extremely talented multi-positional player with soft hands and a cannon for an arm. Tremendous upside as a right-handed pitcher,&#8221; said coach Eric Reichenbach. Strong throw to second by Jagger Franco pic.twitter.com/xX7AfrrejE — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 6, 2025 It was a busy year for Franco who was named to 6 PG All-Tournament teams. He finished the year ranked as the 2nd best catcher in the 2027 class in NY by Perfect Game. He was also up to 86 MPH on the mound. It will be fascinating to see how he is employed at the varsity level. Obviously, it is a tall task to play catcher and pitcher in the same series let alone the same game. His bat should make him enough of a weapon to keep him in the lineup when he&#8217;s not pitching. I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230; Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play any other sports? Baseball was always the sport I loved and wanted to play but I was a varsity wrestler since 8th grade and recently decided to quit to focus on baseball. Any family members that played college sports? My cousins Jake and Jordan Naso both played college lacrosse. Jake is now in the PLL and Jordan is still playing at the University of Tampa. Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career? Coach Jayson Toth has been the man to go to for any problems on or off the field since I was 10 years old. However, the people that have had the biggest impact on my career are my parents. They do anything and everything they can to get me where I need to be and raise a good kid. Do you take private lessons from any instructors? I have never taken any private lessons. Everything I do is with my brother and dad at a nearby field. What has been your most thrilling moment on a baseball field? My most thrilling moment was definitely the entire Ripken tournament in 2023. My family and I got into a car crash on the way to the tournament and I ended up pitching in the Championship game going on to winning the tournament. Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on? My favorite baseball trip was definitely to Texas with my dad to play in the All State game. This trip will always be my favorite. What are you looking to work on this offseason? My main goal this offseason is to put as much weight and muscle I can before the spring season. Any personal goals for 2025? One goal I have is to hit 90 by the spring and overall improve in eery way I can. Any pregame superstitions? Jumping over the foul line off my left food. I have no reason behind it but I do it every game. What will your walk-up song be this year? Definitely Trap Queen by Fetty Wap. That&#8217;s a banger. Favorite app on your phone? Definitely Instagram Favorite restaurant on Long Island? My favorite restaurant has to be Viva Juan. That spot is fire. Favorite TV Show or movie? Definitely Sandlot or Hardball. RIP G-Baby. Favorite vacation spot? South Carolina. Clemson games are fire. Dream Car? BMW M4 Competition Matte Black &#160;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/05/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-jagger-franco/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Jagger Franco</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>(This is the tenth installment of the popular “Up Next” series</em> <em>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.)</em></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jagger Franco (Longwood 2027) turning on one for an extra base hit at the Kings Point Classic <a href="https://t.co/fAQsK2SB5h">pic.twitter.com/fAQsK2SB5h</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1876280502140965178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>It is exceptionally rare that a player will start the game behind the dish and end up on the mound &#8211; unless it&#8217;s an absolute necessity.</p>
<p><strong>Jagger Franco</strong> (Longwood 2027) did so this past season on a few occasions while playing for the Blue Line Rangers. The ultra-athletic sophomore, is the type of player that can handle the workload of being a starting catcher, close out the game on a mound and provide punch offensively to hit in the top of the batting order.</p>
<p>&#8220;Jagger is one of those rare, special players whose athleticism stands above everyone on the field. He will catch a game, then close it out. He&#8217;ll make crazy plays at short, get three hits and steal 4 bases. His versatility is extraordinary,&#8221; said coach Eric Strovink.</p>
<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s an extremely talented multi-positional player with soft hands and a cannon for an arm. Tremendous upside as a right-handed pitcher,&#8221; said coach Eric Reichenbach.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Strong throw to second by Jagger Franco <a href="https://t.co/xX7AfrrejE">pic.twitter.com/xX7AfrrejE</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1876281226598002756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>It was a busy year for Franco who was named to 6 PG All-Tournament teams. He finished the year ranked as the 2nd best catcher in the 2027 class in NY by Perfect Game. He was also up to 86 MPH on the mound.</p>
<p>It will be fascinating to see how he is employed at the varsity level. Obviously, it is a tall task to play catcher and pitcher in the same series let alone the same game. His bat should make him enough of a weapon to keep him in the lineup when he&#8217;s not pitching.</p>
<p>I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-51417 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png" alt="" width="300" height="183" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-300x183.png 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke-768x467.png 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/State-Farm_mobile_ad_1px_stroke.png 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em><strong>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play any other sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>Baseball was always the sport I loved and wanted to play but I was a varsity wrestler since 8th grade and recently decided to quit to focus on baseball.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any family members that played college sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>My cousins Jake and Jordan Naso both played college lacrosse. Jake is now in the PLL and Jordan is still playing at the University of Tampa.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career?</strong></em></p>
<p>Coach Jayson Toth has been the man to go to for any problems on or off the field since I was 10 years old. However, the people that have had the biggest impact on my career are my parents. They do anything and everything they can to get me where I need to be and raise a good kid.</p>
<p><em><strong>Do you take private lessons from any instructors?</strong></em></p>
<p>I have never taken any private lessons. Everything I do is with my brother and dad at a nearby field.</p>
<p><em><strong>What has been your most thrilling moment on a baseball field?</strong></em></p>
<p>My most thrilling moment was definitely the entire Ripken tournament in 2023. My family and I got into a car crash on the way to the tournament and I ended up pitching in the Championship game going on to winning the tournament.</p>
<p><em><strong>Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite baseball trip was definitely to Texas with my dad to play in the All State game. This trip will always be my favorite.</p>
<p><em><strong>What are you looking to work on this offseason?</strong></em></p>
<p>My main goal this offseason is to put as much weight and muscle I can before the spring season.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any personal goals for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>One goal I have is to hit 90 by the spring and overall improve in eery way I can.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any pregame superstitions?</strong></em></p>
<p>Jumping over the foul line off my left food. I have no reason behind it but I do it every game.</p>
<p><em><strong>What will your walk-up song be this year?</strong></em></p>
<p>Definitely Trap Queen by Fetty Wap. That&#8217;s a banger.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite app on your phone?</strong></em></p>
<p>Definitely Instagram</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite restaurant on Long Island?</strong></em></p>
<p>My favorite restaurant has to be Viva Juan. That spot is fire.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite TV Show or movie?</strong></em></p>
<p>Definitely Sandlot or Hardball. RIP G-Baby.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite vacation spot?</strong></em></p>
<p>South Carolina. Clemson games are fire.</p>
<p><em><strong>Dream Car?</strong></em></p>
<p>BMW M4 Competition Matte Black</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2025/01/05/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-jagger-franco/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Jagger Franco</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm: Mason Gatchalian</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2024/12/29/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-mason-gatchalian/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-mason-gatchalian</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Dec 2024 02:12:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEATURES]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[East Coast Lumberjacks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastport-South Manor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ECL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mason Gatchalian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next 2024]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=51396</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>(This is the ninth installment of the popular &#8220;Up Next&#8221; 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 family, as his older brother plays 1st base at Marywood University. The 5&#8217;11 175 lb slugger put up outstanding numbers during the summer for the East Coast Lumberjacks, and being named to several PG All-Tournament teams. 43-for-116 (.365 AVG) with 11 doubles, 5 triples, 2 homers, 50 RBIs, 45 runs scored, 40 walks and 15 stolen bases. He posted a robust .510 OBP and .625 SLG for a 1.135 OPS. On the bump, he was just as dominant &#8211; 40 IP, 4 wins, 22 hits allowed, 60 Ks, .180 opponent AVG and .290 ERA. His summer coach, Ryan Pembroke, had the following to say: &#8220;Mason had a great first year with the Lumberjacks. He had an immediate impact on the field, he has a high ceiling with untapped potential. He is a very physical presence at the plate and on the mound. Mason has gap-to-gap power and has already proven he can leave the yard &#8211; one being against a top 25 program in the country at Diamond Nation. Mason is a three-sport athlete which shows he has tremendous athleticism as well. On the mound, Mason&#8217;s fastball this past year was 81-84 MPH with a good curveball and developing changeup. This offseason will be big for Mason as he continues to take strides in his game and we expect him to garner a ton of interest when August 1 hits. I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230; Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play any other sports? Baseball has always been my No. 1 sport. I also play varsity volleyball and basketball. My volleyball team was the state champs this year. Do you have any family members that played college sports? My brother, Tristan, is the first baseman at Marywood University. Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career? My parents &#8211; my dad always takes time to give me reps after working at LI Sports Zone. My mom always pushes me to be a student athlete. My brother always lets me tag along which has pushed me to work harder to keep up with him and his friends. Lastly, my cousin Tyler unexpectedly passed away. His passing made me realize not to take anything for granted. His dad is so supportive of me and follows everything I do. What was it like playing varsity as a freshman? Playing varsity as a freshman was exciting but, at times, stressful. I knew I was pulled up to play my brother&#8217;s position after he graduated and those are big shoes to fill. I quickly learned I just have to play baseball. When was the moment you felt like you belonged at the varsity level? The moment I felt like I belonged on varsity was the series against Rocky Point. I played a big role in that series and proved I was a big asset to the team. Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on? All time best was Cooperstown. I made great memories with a bunch of my teammates. I would&#8217;ve never thought while we were there that within 3 years one of my best friends on the team, Nolan Horn, would pass away from cancer. Have you enjoyed your time with the East Coast Lumberjacks? Playing with ECL has given me a chance to travel the US and play with a different caliber of players and coaching which has absolutely made me a better player overall. Favorite professional athlete? Trevor Bauer. He has influential videos on YouTube that I find very helpful with pitching. Favorite app on your phone? YouTube Walk up song for 2025? Surround Sound Clean by 21 Savage Goals for this offseason? I am looking forward to going to the gym and getting stronger. What was the most thrilling experience you&#8217;ve had on a baseball field? Hitting a 2-run homer to start the rally against Northeast Pride &#8217;26 National at Diamond Nation. Any pregame rituals? Listening to music on the car ride to the game. Goals for 2025? Goals for 2025 season is to get bigger and stronger in the gym sand hit 87 MPH on the mound and 95 MPH at the plate. Best vacation spot? Aruba Dream car? 1968 Ford Mustang California Special</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2024/12/29/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-mason-gatchalian/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm: Mason Gatchalian</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>(This is the ninth installment of the popular &#8220;Up Next&#8221; series</em> <em>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.)</em></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">1B Mason Gatchalian (Eastport-South Manor 2027) displaying his power with a homer at Diamond Nation <a href="https://t.co/UEUt8aHKMn">pic.twitter.com/UEUt8aHKMn</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1873551499806302424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>Mason Gatchalian</strong> 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.</p>
<p>He comes from a baseball family, as his older brother plays 1st base at Marywood University.</p>
<p>The 5&#8217;11 175 lb slugger put up outstanding numbers during the summer for the <strong>East Coast Lumberjacks</strong>, and being named to several PG All-Tournament teams.</p>
<p>43-for-116 (.365 AVG) with 11 doubles, 5 triples, 2 homers, 50 RBIs, 45 runs scored, 40 walks and 15 stolen bases. He posted a robust .510 OBP and .625 SLG for a 1.135 OPS.</p>
<p>On the bump, he was just as dominant &#8211; 40 IP, 4 wins, 22 hits allowed, 60 Ks, .180 opponent AVG and .290 ERA.</p>
<p>His summer coach, <strong>Ryan Pembroke</strong>, had the following to say:</p>
<p>&#8220;Mason had a great first year with the Lumberjacks. He had an immediate impact on the field, he has a high ceiling with untapped potential. He is a very physical presence at the plate and on the mound. Mason has gap-to-gap power and has already proven he can leave the yard &#8211; one being against a top 25 program in the country at Diamond Nation. Mason is a three-sport athlete which shows he has tremendous athleticism as well. On the mound, Mason&#8217;s fastball this past year was 81-84 MPH with a good curveball and developing changeup. This offseason will be big for Mason as he continues to take strides in his game and we expect him to garner a ton of interest when August 1 hits.</p>
<p>I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-44839 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-300x200.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802.jpeg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><strong><em>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play any other sports?</em></strong></p>
<p>Baseball has always been my No. 1 sport. I also play varsity volleyball and basketball. My volleyball team was the state champs this year.</p>
<p><em><strong>Do you have any family members that played college sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>My brother, Tristan, is the first baseman at Marywood University.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career?</strong></em></p>
<p>My parents &#8211; my dad always takes time to give me reps after working at LI Sports Zone. My mom always pushes me to be a student athlete. My brother always lets me tag along which has pushed me to work harder to keep up with him and his friends. Lastly, my cousin Tyler unexpectedly passed away. His passing made me realize not to take anything for granted. His dad is so supportive of me and follows everything I do.</p>
<p><em><strong>What was it like playing varsity as a freshman?</strong></em></p>
<p>Playing varsity as a freshman was exciting but, at times, stressful. I knew I was pulled up to play my brother&#8217;s position after he graduated and those are big shoes to fill. I quickly learned I just have to play baseball.</p>
<p><em><strong>When was the moment you felt like you belonged at the varsity level?</strong></em></p>
<p>The moment I felt like I belonged on varsity was the series against Rocky Point. I played a big role in that series and proved I was a big asset to the team.</p>
<p><b><i>Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</i></b></p>
<p>All time best was Cooperstown. I made great memories with a bunch of my teammates. I would&#8217;ve never thought while we were there that within 3 years one of my best friends on the team, Nolan Horn, would pass away from cancer.</p>
<p><em><strong>Have you enjoyed your time with the East Coast Lumberjacks?</strong></em></p>
<p>Playing with ECL has given me a chance to travel the US and play with a different caliber of players and coaching which has absolutely made me a better player overall.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite professional athlete?</strong></em></p>
<p>Trevor Bauer. He has influential videos on YouTube that I find very helpful with pitching.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite app on your phone?</strong></em></p>
<p>YouTube</p>
<p><em><strong>Walk up song for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>Surround Sound Clean by 21 Savage</p>
<p><em><strong>Goals for this offseason?</strong></em></p>
<p>I am looking forward to going to the gym and getting stronger.</p>
<p><strong><i>What was the most thrilling experience you&#8217;ve had on a baseball field?</i></strong></p>
<p>Hitting a 2-run homer to start the rally against Northeast Pride &#8217;26 National at Diamond Nation.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any pregame rituals?</strong></em></p>
<p>Listening to music on the car ride to the game.</p>
<p><em><strong>Goals for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>Goals for 2025 season is to get bigger and stronger in the gym sand hit 87 MPH on the mound and 95 MPH at the plate.</p>
<p><em><strong>Best vacation spot?</strong></em></p>
<p>Aruba</p>
<p><em><strong>Dream car?</strong></em></p>
<p>1968 Ford Mustang California Special</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2024/12/29/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-mason-gatchalian/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm: Mason Gatchalian</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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		<title>Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Jake Ostertag</title>
		<link>https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2024/12/23/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-jake-ostertag/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-jake-ostertag</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Messana]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:28:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[B1 Ghost]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Babylon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jake Ostertag]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michael Birnbaum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next 2024]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Up Next Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.axcessbaseball.com/?p=51387</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>(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 &#8211; let alone an 8th grader. That was not the case for Babylon&#8217;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 appearances. On the bump, he notched just 10.2 innings in relief but he struck out 13 batters with a 2.65 ERA and .135 opponent average. His coach at Babylon HS, Michael Birnbaum, had the following to say: Jake Ostertag shows his power with a 2-R shot to left pic.twitter.com/z0tk2mPq6n — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) December 23, 2024 &#8220;Jake showed up to winter workouts as a 7th grader and stood out. He was asked to play JV in 7th grade and he joined us for playoffs in 8th grade. He stepped in as a starting OF and reliever last year. He was a middle of the order RBI guy who went 4-for-4 in the Suffolk elimination game. I told him in 7th grade that he had as much potential as he&#8217;d be willing to work for, and he&#8217;s put in the work on the field, on the mound and in the gym since and is poised to become a well recognized name on the island. Three-sport athlete who makes everyone around him better.&#8221; Over the summer, Ostertag played for B1 Ghost EO where he continued his strong play. He compiled a .953 OPS at the plate and struck out 43 batters over 27 innings on the mound. His fastball was up to 88 MPH. He was recognized for his strong play by being named to PG All-Tournament team in all 4 tournaments he played and he was also a participant in the 2024 Northeast High School All State Games and the 2024 Axcess Home Run Derby. He is currently the No. 4 ranked outfielder in the state for the 2027 class, according to Perfect Game. Look for him to take another step in the 2025 season. I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230; Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play any other sports? Yes, baseball was always my top sport, but I also play basketball and football. Any family members that have played college sports? No, but everyone in my family has played sports. Favorite players in Major League Baseball? I have always been a huge Yankees fan and my favorite players are Mickey Mantle and Aaron Judge. Not only are/were they amazing players but they show dedication to the game and great leadership. Do you work with any private instructors? I go for lessons and training at B1, Five Tool Training and ProCare Athletic Performance. What has been the most thrilling moment of your playing career? Definitely it was last year&#8217;s Suffolk County Championship game when I went 4-for-4 with 5 RBIs. It was an exciting moment to be able to help my team win. What are you looking to work on this offseason? I want to keep developing my swing and gaining more power at the plate. Also, I am working on improving my mechanics and stamina on the mound, plus velocity. What are your goals for 2025? For school ball, my goal is to help my team go farther in the playoffs. Also, my goal is to continue to improve and train so I can help my travel team win more games, and so I can get ready to play at the college level. What has your time been like playing for B1? It&#8217;s been a great experience working with Coach Evan Okon and an amazing group of talented teammates. I am looking forward to another great season this summer. Who are some individuals who have had a positive impact on you? There are so many people that have had a positive impact on me but the ones who stand out are my mom for her constant support and my grandfather for his love of the game and for teaching me how to play. Also, I&#8217;ve had great coaches like Coach Birnbaum at Babylon who believes in my potential and encourages me every opportunity he gets. Also, I&#8217;ve been playing with the same teammates at Babylon for many years and it&#8217;s been great playing with them. Favorite app on your phone? Instagram Any pregame superstitions? I have to listen to music before every game. Favorite TV show? Outer Banks Favorite vacation spot? Orlando, Florida Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on? Miami tournament last summer with B1.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2024/12/23/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-jake-ostertag/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Jake Ostertag</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>(<em>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.)</em></p>
<p>Getting called up to varsity can be an overwhelming task for an underclassmen &#8211; let alone an 8th grader. That was not the case for Babylon&#8217;s <strong>Jake Ostertag</strong> who stepped up to the task by going 4-for-4 with 5 RBIs in the Class B Suffolk County Championship.</p>
<p>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 appearances. On the bump, he notched just 10.2 innings in relief but he struck out 13 batters with a 2.65 ERA and .135 opponent average.</p>
<p>His coach at Babylon HS, <strong>Michael Birnbaum</strong>, had the following to say:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jake Ostertag shows his power with a 2-R shot to left <a href="https://t.co/z0tk2mPq6n">pic.twitter.com/z0tk2mPq6n</a></p>
<p>— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/axcessbaseball/status/1871022134975467979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>&#8220;Jake showed up to winter workouts as a 7th grader and stood out. He was asked to play JV in 7th grade and he joined us for playoffs in 8th grade. He stepped in as a starting OF and reliever last year. He was a middle of the order RBI guy who went 4-for-4 in the Suffolk elimination game. I told him in 7th grade that he had as much potential as he&#8217;d be willing to work for, and he&#8217;s put in the work on the field, on the mound and in the gym since and is poised to become a well recognized name on the island. Three-sport athlete who makes everyone around him better.&#8221;</p>
<p>Over the summer, Ostertag played for B1 Ghost EO where he continued his strong play. He compiled a .953 OPS at the plate and struck out 43 batters over 27 innings on the mound. His fastball was up to 88 MPH. He was recognized for his strong play by being named to PG All-Tournament team in all 4 tournaments he played and he was also a participant in the 2024 Northeast High School All State Games and the 2024 Axcess Home Run Derby.</p>
<p>He is currently the No. 4 ranked outfielder in the state for the 2027 class, according to Perfect Game. Look for him to take another step in the 2025 season.</p>
<p>I had a chance to speak with him and here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-44839 aligncenter" src="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-300x200.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.axcessbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG-8802.jpeg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><em><strong>Was baseball always your No. 1 sport? Do you play any other sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>Yes, baseball was always my top sport, but I also play basketball and football.</p>
<p><em><strong>Any family members that have played college sports?</strong></em></p>
<p>No, but everyone in my family has played sports.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite players in Major League Baseball?</strong></em></p>
<p>I have always been a huge Yankees fan and my favorite players are Mickey Mantle and Aaron Judge. Not only are/were they amazing players but they show dedication to the game and great leadership.</p>
<p><em><strong>Do you work with any private instructors?</strong></em></p>
<p>I go for lessons and training at B1, Five Tool Training and ProCare Athletic Performance.</p>
<p><em><strong>What has been the most thrilling moment of your playing career?</strong></em></p>
<p>Definitely it was last year&#8217;s Suffolk County Championship game when I went 4-for-4 with 5 RBIs. It was an exciting moment to be able to help my team win.</p>
<p><em><strong>What are you looking to work on this offseason?</strong></em></p>
<p>I want to keep developing my swing and gaining more power at the plate. Also, I am working on improving my mechanics and stamina on the mound, plus velocity.</p>
<p><em><strong>What are your goals for 2025?</strong></em></p>
<p>For school ball, my goal is to help my team go farther in the playoffs. Also, my goal is to continue to improve and train so I can help my travel team win more games, and so I can get ready to play at the college level.</p>
<p><em><strong>What has your time been like playing for B1?</strong></em></p>
<p>It&#8217;s been a great experience working with Coach Evan Okon and an amazing group of talented teammates. I am looking forward to another great season this summer.</p>
<p><em><strong>Who are some individuals who have had a positive impact on you?</strong></em></p>
<p>There are so many people that have had a positive impact on me but the ones who stand out are my mom for her constant support and my grandfather for his love of the game and for teaching me how to play. Also, I&#8217;ve had great coaches like Coach Birnbaum at Babylon who believes in my potential and encourages me every opportunity he gets. Also, I&#8217;ve been playing with the same teammates at Babylon for many years and it&#8217;s been great playing with them.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite app on your phone?</strong></em></p>
<p>Instagram</p>
<p><em><strong>Any pregame superstitions?</strong></em></p>
<p>I have to listen to music before every game.</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite TV show?</strong></em></p>
<p>Outer Banks</p>
<p><em><strong>Favorite vacation spot?</strong></em></p>
<p>Orlando, Florida</p>
<p><em><strong>Best baseball trip you&#8217;ve been on?</strong></em></p>
<p>Miami tournament last summer with B1.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com/2024/12/23/up-next-powered-by-ken-kortright-state-farm-agency-jake-ostertag/">Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Jake Ostertag</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.axcessbaseball.com">Axcess Baseball</a>.</p>
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