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Up Next: Taj Farmer
We’ve spent some time discussing the Catholic League this off-season, specifically the two programs with new Head Coaches; St. Dominic and St. Anthony’s. To me, the latter of which is the favorite to capture the CHSAA title this season. One player that likely won’t factor in this season–but certainly in the near future–is ninth grader Taj Farmer. Born Tajjiddin Farmer, he is coming off one of the types of seasons that turns heads. He batted .430 with 55 hits (27 extra-base hits) and 72 RBI. I had the chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say… Who are some players in Major League Baseball that you try to emulate? Miguel Cabrera is currently my favorite player because of his approach and success at the plate. Also Mike Trout, for his all...
Up Next: Cristino Tufano
Playing in a small-school district such as Babylon has its inherent challenges in regards to getting noticed. In such cases, a player must often generate buzz from summer ball. That has been the case with Cristino Tufano. The 13-year-old is coming off a monster season with the Camelot Knights. His season, along with the fact that the school has a smaller enrollment gives him an opportunity to move up to varsity as an eighth-grader this season. This past season, he batted .472 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI. He also performed on the mound, with his high-octane fastball. He fired a no-hitter during the Columbus Day tournament as well as throwing a shutout in Cooperstown against California. I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say… What has been your most excit...
Up Next: Dylan Banner
Typically a sign of future success for a varsity baseball program is the record of their JV team. We have seen this time-and-time again with perennial powerhouses such as West Islip, Massapequa and Shoreham-Wading River who typically have the same type of dominance on the JV-level as they do on varsity. With that being the case, there is plenty of reason for optimism for Plainview-JFK. Despite graduating many of their impact players from the back-to-back conference winning teams of 2017-’18, their JV team went 15-3 last season led by Dylan Banner, who was in 8th grade. The 6’1 175 lb SS/RHP (who wears a size 15 shoe) is undoubtedly a player to watch for the next four seasons. While playing for the vaunted Body Armor Titans, he posted these numbers over 78 games: .386 AVG, 33 HR...
Up Next: Connor Schramm
Commack is in the midst of a pretty good run. After winning their first Suffolk County AA title in 2017 since 1997, they followed that up with another League II title and an appearance in the final four. Success tends to lead to more success, especially when the middle schoolers are exposed to a winning program and strive to be part of the next championship. Scouts will spend lots of time there this season with the presence of reigning Silver Slugger winner and TCU-commit Tim McHugh who is among the top hitters in the region. Once he graduates in June, who’s the next player that could potentially garner some headlines? Eighth grader Connor Schramm is making a case already to be that guy. Coming off a 2018 season in which he put up video game numbers, he is a tough one to ignore. Acco...
Up Next: Shaun McMillan
One of the main reasons Beast United has compiled a record of 83-12-4 over the past two seasons is the presence of Shaun McMillan. Prior to coming to the Beast, he played with Camelot Knights and was a home run hitting machine–crushing 31 and driving in 123 runs over 109 games with them. Despite being the youngest player on the team, he has made his impact felt in a big way contributing as the No. 4 hitter, catcher and also on the mound. “As the youngest player on our team, he has a very mature style of play, he always shows up ready to work hard. He is a big part of our pitching staff and lineup,” said his Head Coach James Labartino. He is currently at the Progressive School of Long Island in Merrick, which does not field a baseball team. The family is still deciding whi...
