Herkimer Baseball reloads for 2016
HERKIMER, NY - Herkimer Baseball has committed a new class of recruits for the upcoming season and the quality of recruits makes Herkimer a contender for another shot at a World Series appearance.
Herkimer needs to replace the dynamic duo of catchers they had last year in All-Region selections Chris Rave and John Boland. Freshman Jack Jones (Eagleville, TN) hopes to help fill that void. Jones is a transfer from Lee University but comes from Fred J. Page High School where he was 2014 Co-District MVP, 2014 Page HS MVP, 2013 & 2014 All-District. He had a .377 batting average, .479 on-base percentage, .571 slugging percentage, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, and 24 RBI during his senior year. "Jack is a big strong power hitting catcher that we think will have a big impact in our program," stated Coach Rathbun. Schalmont HS standout Anthony Yezzo (Schenectady, NY) and Fonda receiver Anthony Sinicropi (Fultonville, NY) are young catchers that will look to make their impact in the program as well.
Returning starter Christian Malave will move from 1B to 2B in 2016 which opens up 1B duties to a hand full of candidates. Leading the way is All-State selection 6'4 left handed hitter Brett Wieland (Horseheads, NY). Right handed hitter Patrick Troy (Red Hook, NY) is also a promising prospect for the program.
Fort Ann All-State selection and 2015 All-Region selection Joe Foran (Fort Ann, NY) is a transfer out of Schenectady Community College will look to play 3B as well as some time at SS. Foran was a huge bat for the Royals last year helping them to the regional final four. Freshman infielders Matt Santos (Bayside, NY) and Elviz Belen (Putnam Valley, NY) are hungry freshman talents that will look to have an impact.
Outfield welcomes three transfer students in DI St. Bonaventure transfer John Novenche (Clifton Park, NY), DII Southern Maryland transfer Brandon Hubbard (Potomac, MD), as well as Justin Kiesow (Frankfort, NY) who hit over .400 in Region III last year. Freshman Joe Fichera (Mahopac, NY) is a prototype leadoff hitter with impressive speed. Jadon Jones (Brooklyn, NY) and Philip Derick (Bath, NY) are all looking to make their name standout this fall.
Herkimer took a hit on the mound losing all seven of their starting pitchers from last year. Bridgeport LHP transfer Sal Lovaglio (Dix Hills, NY) will look to lead the staff. Lovaglio has experience on the mound in college and features a heavy 88 mph fast ball with wicked off speed stuff that has the program excited for 2016. LHP Chris Henry (Yorktown Heights, NY) is an All-State selection who also pitched for the Amsterdam Mohawks this past summer, one of the few high school graduates to ever get the chance to play in one of the best summer teams in the country. Schenectady Community College (SCC) transfer Zach Shaw (Fonda, NY) who pitched a complete game against Herkimer last year in the regional final four joins the program and brings his bulldog approach to the staff. Another SCC transfer Dan Nuzzi (Burnt Hills, NY) will bring his mid 80's fastball to the staff. Freshman Tyler Rothvoss (Ancramdale, NY) is a big strong RHP that Herkimer staff has very high expectations for. Schalmont's LHP/OF Greg Musk (Schenectady, NY) was the driving force behind Schalmont's state championship in 2014. John Sell (Burnt Hills, NY) is a hard throwing RHP with a high ceiling. Big hard throwing RHP Jared Przekurat (Albany, NY), Keita Shimizu (Japan) who was at IMG academy last spring, LHP Zach Childs (Voorheesville, NY), Tim Smith (Loudonville, NY), and Jon Hardy (Clinton, NY) are all very talented freshman arms that will look to grow and become impact arms for the Generals.
-Jason Rathbun