NYPost.com baseball beat writers Zach Braziller and Marc Raimondi take a look at the major storylines entering the 2012 season.
Will draft success repeat itself?
This is a good time to be a top prospect for New York City. Two years ago, George Washington shortstop Mike Antonio was taken in the third round (86th overall) by the Kansas City Royals; last spring Grand Street Campus outfielders Williams Jerez went in the second round (81st) to the Boston Red Sox. By all accounts, GW’s Nelson Rodriguez will be next. And he isn’t alone. Grand Street shortstop Jose Cuas, Long Island City outfielder Josh Almonte, Fordham Prep shortstop Andrew Velazquez, Horace Mann outfielder Harrison Bader and others may all have their name called in the First-Year Player Draft.
What will define the PSAL season?
The story of last spring was the suspension levied upon George Washington coach Steve Mandl and his fight against the PSAL while his Trojans won the city title under interim coach Nick Carbone. What will this year bring us? An off-the-field story like last year or maybe it will be the spring of the pitcher with so many big arms across the five boroughs? There is loaded Grand Street looking to get over its semifinal demons, nationally ranked GW hoping to repeat and on-the-rise William Bryant and Cardozo hoping to become the first Queens team since John Adams to reach the final four.
Who will be this year’s sleeper in the PSAL?
William Bryant and Taft snuck in the PSAL Class A quarterfinals last spring; the year before it was Morris. So who is this year’s dark horse? Look no further than Manhattan Center, which went 12-4 a year ago before it was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Ace/shortstop Jesus Medina is getting Division I looks and sophomores Jerry Liang, Alex Sanchez and Michael Pena are potential stars. Another team to keep an eye on is Telecommunications. Xaverian transfer Josh Palacios has drawn interest from St. John’s and has coach Ed D’Alessio raving, which he rarely does. Plus, the Yellow Jackets return top starters Alex Serrano, Chris Lee and Josh Mercado, making them dangerous.
Is The Bronx as wide-open as it seems in the PSAL?
The borough’s premier programs – James Monroe, John F. Kennedy and Lehman – are working with inexperience and youth. DeWitt Clinton, another perennial contender, is already 0-2. The supposed power borough is there for the taking. Keep an eye on Taft, which returns a solid core, and talented Walton. Jason Norman’s club, led by power-hitting catcher Larry Campusano, is ready to bounce back from a disappointing season.
