Coach Tony Marro led Fieldston to a second-place finish in the Ivy Prep League this spring. (Christina Santucci)
NYPost.com private baseball beat writer Zach Braziller breaks down the upcoming NYSAISAA tournament, which kicked off with play-in games Friday, continued with the quarterfinals on Saturday, the semifinals on Sunday and the final Wednesday at Manhattanville College in Westchester.
FAVORITE
No. 1 Poly Prep
The top seed in the tournament for the seventh straight year, Poly Prep is yet again the overwhelming favorite. That was the case last spring when the Blue Devils won it all for the first time in three years. They have arguably the best pitcher in the city in junior Andrew Zapata, solid arms behind him in junior Phil Maldari and sophomore Morgan Gray and a productive lineup which takes advantage of its opportunities led by seniors Andrew Doar and Matt Coposio.
CONTENDERS
No. 2 Fieldston
The Eagles have come a long way in just three years under coach Tony Marro. They are in NYSAISAA for the second straight year, a program first, and have their highest seed ever. Fieldston isn’t happy to be here, however. With wins over No. 1 Poly Prep, No. 3 Riverdale, No. 4 Berkeley Carroll and No. 5 Horace Mann, it feels anything is possible. Led by Matt Guzman, Will Savage and Kevin Fich, the Eagles feature one of the tournament’s top lineups.
No. 3 Riverdale
The hottest team in this tournament with seven straight wins and eight of its last nine, Riverdale is carrying serious momentum into the weekend. The starting rotation, led by Hamilton College-bound Cole Dreyfuss and Alec Silverman, is unimposing but effective and Dreyfuss and three-sport star Armando Perez have led a resurgent offense.
No. 4 Berkeley Carroll
Forget their youth, the Lions are a threat to not only get back to the finals here, but win it all. When at their best, top starters Anthony Spina and Ian Miller are dynamic. Catcher Yanai Feldman, only a sophomore, is one of the best in the city at his position, and the lineup can be pesky. Don’t’ forget, Berkeley Carroll has reached the finals two of the last three years.
SLEEPERS
No. 5 Horace Mann
At their best, the Lions can beat anybody – they can also lose to anyone, making them a true wild card in the tournament. They were supposed to challenge for an Ivy Prep League crown, but finished a disappointing fourth. Between Division I-bound prospects Harrison Bader and Jesse Roth and unsung lefthander Elias Wacht, Horace Mann could make some serious noise.
No. 6 St. Ann’s
Seeded lower than they should’ve been, the Steamers shouldn’t be taken lightly. They dropped two of three games to ACIS rival Berkeley Carroll, but could’ve won all three contests. Senior Ivan-Zeavin Moss can shut down any lineup in the tournament and Jack Harnett and Graham Dietz are capable of producing big hits.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Andrew Zapata
Like the Yankees and Mariano Rivera, Poly Prep just wants to get the ball to its fire-balling ace. Zapata, who has a series of top Division I schools after him such as Kentucky, Duke, Stanford, Maryland and Ole Miss, has elite stuff – his fastball has touched 91 mph – control of four pitches and the makeup MLB scouts love. He finally lost a game this year, falling to CHSAA contender St. Joseph by the Sea, but won his five other starts, including an impressive victory over defending PSAL Class A champion George Washington.
Kevin Fich
Arguably the tournament’s most dangerous bat, he can change a game in a hurry. Fich hasn’t spent much time behind the plate this spring because of offseason knee surgery, but the highly recruited junior did enjoy a solid spring at the plate.
Cole Dreyfuss
Riverdale’s ace pitcher, leadoff man and best hitter, the senior does a little bit of everything for the red-hot Falcons. His season – and his team’s – turned for the better when coach Doug MacDonald moved him from shortstop to second base, which has saved his arm.
Ian Miller
A Division I pitcher in the making, Miller was the MVP of the ACIS tournament after picking up the win in the championship game victory over St. Ann’s and notching three hits and three RBIs in a semifinals win over Long Island Lutheran. He matched Zapata pitch for pitch in last year’s final for five innings as a freshman – Poly Prep would likely see him in the semifinals if Berkeley Carroll gets there.
Harrison Bader
One of the city’s top all-around talents, the Division I-bound Bader is on the radar of several MLB scouts. While Horace Mann may not have enjoyed the regular season it hoped for, he certainly did, crushing opposing pitchers and playing a stellar center field.