George Washington ‘s Nick Carbone is The Post’s All-Manhattan baseball Coach of the Year. (Christina Santucci)
Manhattan’s postseason success began and ended in Washington Heights. Nothing new there.
Despite losing legendary coach Steve Mandl to alleged illegal recruiting, the Trojans won their third city title, topping defending champion Tottenville, 6-4, in the final.
Xavier didn’t make a return trip to the CHSAA Class AA title game, but the Knights did advance to the eight-team double-elimination tournament and was one of the last four teams standing. Dalton reached the NYSAISAA tournament, but fell to eventual champion Poly Prep, while defending champion Collegiate failed to get there.
All-Manhattan baseball Player of the Year: Nelson Rodriguez, George Washington
The junior catcher established himself this spring as more than just a fearsome power hitter or splendid defensive backstop. He was a leader for George Washington in addition to his impressive tools. Sure, he hit .500 with 21 RBIs, 20 runs scored and three home runs, but Rodriguez’s value was more about handling the Trojans’ pitching, which excelled, shutting down the opposition’s running game and not trying to do too much at the plate.
His future remains limitless. Built like a truck at 6-foot, 240 pounds, he has been selected for the Under-Armour All-American game at Wrigley Field in August and many scouts view him as the city’s top prospect.
“He seems to have potentially the best all-around skill set for a New York City catcher since [former George Washington star] Angel Salome,” one Major-League scout said. “He’s got great instincts for his age, a tremendous build, solid arm, great hands, impressive power.”
All-Manhattan baseball Coach of the Year: Nick Carbone, George Washington
When it was all over, George Washington had won its third PSAL Class A city championship and the lengthy celebration had finally died down, Nick Carbone took a knee in the dugout at MCU Park in Coney Island and took a long, deep breath.
It was a wild year for the 29-year-old interim coach, who took over for legendary Steve Mandl (suspended for alleged illegal recruiting) and guided the talented Trojans to an undefeated league season, the prestigious Clarkstown South Tournament title and city title win over defending champion Tottenville.
“As tough as it was for the kids, it was five times tougher for him,” Mandl said. “He did a great, great, great job.”
Sure, Carbone inherited a loaded program, but the former Manhattan College outfielder also was put in an almost impossible position. An assistant for three years under Mandl before this spring, he didn’t change though he had a new job, which earned him the respect of his players. He also added small ball into the potent lineup’s attack – the squeeze play became his calling card – and that approach was integral in come-from-behind playoff wins over Norman Thomas, William Bryant, Lehman and Tottenville.
“It was kind of a whirlwind of a season and it was a whirlwind kind of an ending,” he said.
FIRST TEAM
P Orlando Adorno, Beacon
The junior right-hander has shown a rare ability to fill whatever role Beacon coach Tom Covotsos needs. He began his career as an outfielder, moved to catcher as a sophomore and with ace Kai Glick not himself this spring with arm issues, Adorno took over as the club’s No. 1 starter. He didn’t disappoint in that role, going 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA while also hitting .459 with nine RBIs and nine runs scored.
P/CF Nick DiLeo, Xavier
It seems there isn’t anything on the baseball diamond DiLeo isn’t good at. He plays a masterful centerfield, was one of Xavier’s top threats at the plate and the junior left-hander was the ace of the Knights’ talented pitching staff. DiLeo showed why he’s known as one of the top postseason pitchers when he tossed a complete-game, two-hitter in a 3-2 win against Archbishop Molloy in the CHSAA Class AA championship tournament.
SS Samuel Fox, Beacon
Beacon’s strength became its lineup this spring and Fox was in the middle of the dangerous batting order, batting .388 with 18 runs scored and 13 RBIs. He was also the team’s captain and its most trusted defender at shortstop, helping the Blue Demons repeat as Manhattan A West champs for the fifth year in a row.
C Jake Kinsley, Regis
The CHSAA’s ironman, Kinsley started 63 consecutive games behind the plate, forging a reputation as one of the best defensive catchers in the league. Offensively he was no slouch either and the solid contact hitter will bring those skills with him to Furman University. The senior played in the Mayor’s Cup all-star game and was selected to the All-Archdiocese of New York team by the league’s coaches.
3B James McCool, Xavier
The heart and soul of a gritty Xavier team, McCool was a big reason the Knights made a second consecutive deep playoff run. He did a little bit of everything, starting at third base, batting in the middle of the order and even pitching in spots. The Lafayette-bound senior also played in the Mayor’s Cup all-star game and was named to the All-Archdiocese of New York team by the league’s coaches.
SS/P Jesus Medina, Manhattan Center
The emotional leader of the surprising Rams, the speedy and skilled Medina was as valuable at the plate in the leadoff spot as he was at shortstop and on the mound. The standout junior batted a robust .410 with 20 runs scored and 13 RBIs and also went 3-1 on the hill with a 1.85 ERA as Manhattan Center finished 12-4 in Manhattan A East, one of the top divisions in the PSAL.
P Sean Meekins, Xavier
For a while it seemed there would be no bigger hard-luck pitcher in the CHSAA than Meekins. In three losses, the Knights scored a combined one run, but the lanky right-hander won those tight contests late in the season, including a pair of playoff wins. The Trinity College-bound senior also pitched in the Mayor’s Cup all-star game and was named to the All-Archdiocese of New York team by the league’s coaches.
P Yael Regalado , George Washington
The hard-throwing right-hander bounced back from an injury-plagued junior year to lead George Washington to the PSAL Class A crown. After going 4-0 with a 0.44 ERA during the regular season, the Central Arizona-bound senior pitched the Trojans past defending champion Tottenville, striking out seven, allowing five hits and walking five in six innings.
SS Randy Rodriguez, George Washington
George Washington’s sparkplug atop the lineup, Rodriguez batted .404 with 28 runs scored, 20 stolen bases and 15 RBIs. He was just as valuable in the field, replacing superstar Mike Antonio (now in the Kansas City Royals organization) where his flashy and consistent glove stabilized the Trojans’ infield.
CF Fernelys Sanchez, George Washington
The speedy 6-foot-2 junior outfielder with pro tools turned doubles and triples into easy outs, he progressed offensively as the year grew deeper and was at his best in the postseason with big hits and dynamic game-saving catches. No wonder Sanchez, who batted .500 with five runs scored and four RBIs in the playoffs, has been selected to the Under-Armour All-American game at Wrigley Field in August.
HONORABLE MENTION
P Jariel Cedeno, George Washington
P Edward Corniel, Environmental Studies
OF Steven De La Cruz, Graphic Communications
P Adam Dunn, Dalton
3B/SS Doug Gleicher, Collegiate
P Jeffrey Ledesma, Norman Thomas
SS Tom Liang, Manhattan Center
2B Julien Machuca, Regis
SS Dan Morris, Regis
OF Erik Poldroo, Beacon
DH Kenny Sumsky, Xavier
P James Toohey, Regis
P Kevin Torres, George Washington
SS/P Kyle Yee, Stuyvesant
P Michael Zurier, Stuyvesant