This spring starts the way last year ended – with George Washington at the top. The nationally ranked Trojans are loaded yet again and have coach Steve Mandl back in the dugout after his one-year suspension. They will have plenty competition from traditional powers Grand Street Campus, Tottenville and James Monroe and unlikely ones such as Cardozo and William Bryant.
For a full rundown of The Post’s preseason baseball rankings, read below:
1. George Washington
Despite a serious ankle injury to stud center fielder Fernelys Sanchez, George Washington remains the odds-on favorite to repeat as city champion. Catcher Nelson Rodriguez is a blue-chip prospect, shortstop Randy Rodriguez is a sparkplug at the top of the lineup and Kevin Torres, Edwin Corniel and Reynaldo Hernandez lead an absurdly deep and talented pitching staff.
2. Grand Street Campus
This could be the year the Wolves finally get past the semifinals. They return an impressive core, which includes Maryland-bound shortstop Jose Cuas, speedy center fielder Basael McDonald, catcher Ernesto Lopez and pitchers Alex Cuas (Jose’s brother), Wily Santana and Geraldo Gonzalez in addition to Xaverian transfer Kevin Martir, a Maryland signee who will also catch and play third base.
3. Tottenville
The Pirates won’t quite hit like in years past – Tom Kain, Kevin Krause, Gil Mendoza and George Kantzian graduated—but they have a pair of aces to match up against anyone in the city. Southpaw Michael Sullivan, who has drawn interest from St. John’s and Rutgers, and Rider-bound flamethrower Vin Aiello will be a force, while FDU-bound catcher John Giakas and Iona College recruit Joe Sessa, a fleet-footed center fielder, are ready to lead the a rebuilt lineup.
4. Cardozo
Cardozo failed to reach the quarterfinals last year after a perfect league season in Queens A East, but expect the Queens school to take a major leap forward this spring. Junior southpaw Adrian Castano will play high Division I baseball – if he isn’t drafted too high next spring – and Townsend Harris transfer Connor Doyle is a perfect complement to him in the rotation from the right side.
5. James Monroe
This isn’t your father’s Monroe. The Eagles have just two seniors – shortstop Luis Santini and second baseman Ramger Iglesias – and are more focused on winning Bronx A East, usually a given, than competing for a city title. With that said, coach Mike Turo sees promise, particularly in a starting rotation that features junior Ricky Parra and sophomore Innoel Nunez.
6. William Bryant
Two innings away from the semifinals last spring, Bryant returns virtually its entire team. Brothers NIck and Chris Alvarez, pitchers Adonis Lao and Darlyn Valdez and infielder Chris Aubry and catcher Brian Esposito are all back to make another run at the city’s elite.
7. James Madison
For most teams, going 12-4 in a beefed up division and reaching the playoffs would be a solid season; not for Madison. Don’t expect that to continue as the Knights gained invaluable experience and will be much improved with seniors Mike Fitzpatrick, Matt Zalon and Joe Cali leading a deep pitching staff and catcher Ray Draxdorf and infielder Chris Vasquez the backbone of an improved lineup.
8. Lehman
Sure, the Lions have a myriad of positions to fill and an extremely young team – three sophomores and three freshmen – but consecutive Bronx A West titles and semifinal berths builds you plenty of credit. Look for big things out of pitcher/outfielder Steven Pinales and for longtime coach Adam Droz to get the most out of his talent, a spring ritual in The Bronx.
9. Manhattan Center
This should be the year the Rams make some postseason noise after so many first-round exits. Shortstop/ace Jesus Medina is drawing Division I interest and sophomores Jerry Liang, Alex Sanchez and Michael Pena are stars in the making.
10. Beacon
The four-time Manhattan A West defending champions started fast last spring, but ended early, surprisingly falling to DeWitt Clinton in the opening round. Beacon is yet again favored in its division with co-aces Kai Glick and Juan Adorno leading the pitching staff and first baseman Dylan Long a power bat in the middle of the Blue Demons’ potent lineup.
On the bubble: Telecommunications, John Adams, New Dorp, Susan Wagner, John F. Kennedy, DeWitt Clinton, Walton and Norman Thomas