The PSAL baseball season came to a close Friday and it did so with a bang.
Grand Street Campus won its first city title, topping George Washington, last year’s champion, 2-1 at MCU Park in Coney Island in the Class A title game. The park was packed and both teams played crisp baseball following South Bronx’s 2-1 win over Queens Vocational Tech in the ‘B’ final.
It brings us to our final PSAL baseball rankings of the year. We have an entire rundown below:
1. Grand Street Campus (21-1) (Last Week: 1)
Grand Street finally won a city championship on Friday, after so many frustrating playoff losses, and it did so with pitching and defense – not its lethal lineup. Senior southpaw Gerry Gonzalez was brilliant the entire spring and he was at his best against George Washington, going the distance and allowing only three hits against the mighty Trojans. Fittingly, he capped the victory by fielding a Randy Rodriguez comebacker to start the celebration.
Next: Season complete
2. George Washington (19-3) (2)
Fernelys Sanchez’s decision to sit out Friday’s PSAL Class A championship at the Atlanta Braves’ suggestion – the team that took him in the 16th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft – loomed large. It weakened the Trojans’ lineup, which was so dominant with him in there. Sure, Sanchez wasn’t 100 percent healthy, but the move clearly upset GW coach Steve Mandl and likely angered teammates as well.
Next: Season complete
3. John Adams (17-4) (3)
It’s Anderson DeLeon’s team now. With co-ace Braylin Nunez and leading hitters Jorge Barahon and Jeffrey Valera all moving on to college, it’s up to the dynamic sophomore hurler to guide Adams next spring, a role he seems more than capable of handling.
Next: Season complete
4. Telecommunications (16-5) (4)
Telecom will be back in the semifinals next year – that’s a prediction. The Yellow Jackets overachieved this spring, winning Brooklyn A West and reaching the final four despite one of the youngest teams in the entire city. With virtually everyone returning, such as ace A.J. Serrano, stud first baseman Austin Ruiz, pitcher Chris Lee and outfielders Josh Palacios and Anthony Nunez, the sky is the limit for coach Ed D’Alessio’s kids.
Next: Season complete
5. Cardozo (18-1) (5)
This was Cardozo’s year to get to the semifinals, if not further. Sure, co-aces and Division I prospects Connor Doyle and Adrian Castano return, but shortstop Nicanor Luna, No. 3 starter Calvin Luk and third baseman Diego Gonzalez graduate, creating a large void in the team’s core.
Next: Season complete
6. Tottenville (17-4) (6)
The Pirates will enter next spring an unknown after losing so much to graduation, such as FDU-bound catcher John Giakas, Iona College recruit Joe Sessa, Rider signee Vin Aiello and ace Mike Sullivan. Look for junior pitchers Joseph DiBenedetto and Jonathan Dilluvio to continue the program’s proud tradition of lockdown pitching and for outfielder Anthony Capo to lead the offense.
Next: Season complete
7. Norman Thomas (16-3) (7)
Luis Monell should be proud of the job he did in his first year as the Norman Thomas head coach. His team surpassed expectations, sharing Manhattan A East with runner-up and rival George Washington and reaching the quarterfinals. He loses key pieces in staff ace Jeffrey Ledesma and leadoff man Paul Garcia, but pitcher Garbin Villar and infielders Keven Rodriguez and Starling Valera and outfielder Arturo Cotto should make sure the Tigers remain near the top of the division.
Next: Season complete
8. James Monroe (15-4) (8)
This wasn’t a typical Monroe team, what with its youth and inexperience, but next year it will be. Ace Ricky Parra, infielder/pitcher Randy Perez and power-hitting catcher Ivan Objio will lead what should be a formidable group that will be looking to get the Bronx school into the PSAL Class A semifinals for the first time since a runner-up finish in 2009.
Next: Season complete
9. James Madison (14-4) (9)
The Knights didn’t overachieve, but they didn’t underachieve, either. They finished second in Brooklyn A East behind city champion Grand Street Campus and won a playoff game, another solid year for coach Vinny Caiazza’s program.
Next: Season complete
10. Manhattan Center (12-6) (10)
Manhattan Center is headed in the right direction, with consecutive winning seasons in Manhattan A East. The next challenge is advancing past the second round of the city playoffs, which should be possible with the young talent coach Edgar Leon has assembled, namely pitcher/shortstop Jerry Liang and catcher Alex Sanchez.
Next: Season complete
New: none
Dropped out: none
On the bubble: Beacon (14-4), Midwood (10-7), John F. Kennedy (12-6), Lehman (11-6), Stuyvesant (11-6), New Dorp (13-7), Newtown (13-5), and William Bryant (12-6)