Sports

NYC baseball rankings

The weather is nippy and rain is falling in buckets. Baseball season must be in full swing.

Weather permitting the upcoming week has the potential to be a memorable one. The PSAL has plenty of showdowns set that could affect division races and rankings purposes. Tottenville, which faces McKee/Staten Island Tech, makes its debut as Fieldston departs.

Xaverian and St. Joseph by the Sea, the final two undefeated teams in league play, appear to be separating from the pack in the CHSAA, while defending city champ Fordham Prep and Xavier, which won the Bronx/Manhattan division last year, are leading their respective divisions.

1. Xaverian (7-0) (Last week: 1)

The Clippers have scored runs in bunches, including a nine-run second inning against Molloy Monday. Skyler Ortiz has emerged as one of the most dangerous power hitters in the CHSAA, while clutch-hitting Elvin Soto has shown why he’s going to Arizona in two years. More than anything, though, Xaverian’s pitching staff is deep, and that helps later in the week when opponents are throwing their third and fourth best starters at times.

Next: Monsignor McClancy (April 28, 4 p.m.)

2. James Monroe (6-0 (2)

The Eagles lineup is typically deep and dangerous, but their pitching staff will determine whether Mornoe can get back to the PSAL Class A championship game. So far, it’s better than could be expected. Staff ace Jesus Vasquez’s success is hardly a surprise, but junior Jesus Brito and freshman Ricardo Parra – with two wins apiece – have come out of nowhere to form a dynamic top of the rotation. Add in hard-throwing closer Cruz Resto and The Bronx power has a fine staff.

Next: @ Lehman (April 26, 4 p.m.)

3. George Washington (7-0) (3)

It was odd seeing the Trojans barely get past Stuyvesant 5-4 last week. We’re used to them putting up double figures against everyone in Manhattan save for Norman Thomas. That being said, George Washington can be in for another white knuckler on Tuesday against Beacon, a sound defensive team with plenty of live arms.

Next: @ Beacon (April 27, 4 p.m.)

4. Norman Thomas (6-0) (4)

It’s early and the difficult stretch of the Tigers schedule still looms, but so far senior Isaac Reynoso has been every bit the ace Norman Thomas desperately needs him to be. He has won both of his starts, allowing just one earned runs in 11 innings pitched with 13 strikeouts.

Next: @ Environmental Studies (April 27, 4 p.m.)

5. St. Joseph by the Sea (5-0) (5)

Year after year Staten Island is the most competitive in the CHSAA and this year is no different. The Vikings are the current kings of the hill and have used the usual baseball ingredients to get there – clutch hitting, solid defense and stellar pitching.

Next: Moore Catholic (April 27, 4 p.m.)

6. Poly Prep (9-2) (6)

What a week it was for the Blue Devils. It started with a run-rule thrashing of Trinity, an impressive non-league victory of Xaverian, our No. 1 team, and a shutout of Berkeley Carroll, last year’s NYSAISAA champion. Coach Matt Roventini clearly has Poly Prep headed in the right direction less than a month before the Independent schools state tournament.

Next: Collegiate (April 26, 4:15 p.m.)

7. James Madison (6-0) (8)

When it comes to PSAL baseball, Brooklyn isn’t the strongest borough, but Madison’s performance the last week – 3-0 record by a combined 39-1 score – shouldn’t be easily dismissed. The Knights are better offensively than they are given credit for and the pitching staff has been virtually unhittable in league play.

Next: @ Telecommunications (April 26, 4 p.m.)

8. Fordham Prep (5-1) (NR)

Many of the key components of last year’s CHSAA Class A intersectional championship team are gone, but the returning Rams are joined by a solid group up from the junior varsity and the result is a 5-1 record and first place in CHSAA Bronx/Westchester. Joe Pareres and Matt DiLecce have been stellar on the mound, speedster Mike Maschi is the rally igniter and Sal Annunizata is one of the most dangerous hitters in The Bronx.

Next: @ Mount St. Michael (April 27, 4 p.m.)

9. Xavier (6-1) (NR)

Rob Maguire will pitch at Sacred Heart next year, but for now he’s doing a great job of being the Knights ace. He tossed a three-hit masterpiece Tuesday and then allowed just two hits in three scoreless innings of relief Friday night in a blowout of rival Regis. Xavier has gone the small ball route to score runs and it has led to the Knights sitting atop the CHSAA Bronx/Manhattan division.

Next: All Hallows (April 27, 4 p.m.)

10. Tottenville (6-0) (NR)

With a similar lineup, why are the Pirates producing so much more consistently offensively thiis season? Start with outfielder William DiFede. The senior already has six more RBIs – 10 as opposed to four – as he did all of last year while maintaining an absurdly high .643 batting average. Junior first baseman Thomas Kain, with 10 runs scored and nine RBIs, has been nearly as productive.

Next: @ McKee/Staten Island Tech (April 27, 4 p.m.)

New: Fordham Prep (5-1), Tottenville and Xavier (6-1)

Dropped out: Fieldston, Moore Catholic (5-2), and Regis (4-4)

On the bubble: Archbishop Molloy (4-2), Berkeley Carroll (7-3) DeWitt Clinton (6-0), Fieldston (6-1), Francis Lewis (6-0), Lehman (5-1), Monsignor Farrell (4-2), Moore Catholic (5-2), and St. Raymond (5-3).

zbraziller@nypost.com

dbutler@nypost.com