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Conference Preview: Central League

March 10, 2014

By Jacob Gill
Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting

Central League 

Returning all-Central Honorees
  1st-team 2nd-team 3rd-team
Conestoga '14 1B Max Dolente (Hofstra)
'14 IF Tommy Richter
(College of Charleston)
'14 OF Steve Born (Navy)		 '14 OF Andrew Born (Davidson)
 '14 IF Andrew Turner
(LIU Brooklyn)
Garnet Valley '14 IF Andrew Bechtold (Maryland) '14 OF Sean Sarbaugh (VCU) '15 C Jeff Shanfeldt
Harriton '14 OF Andre Pendleton   '14 OF Jake Rosenberg (Alvernia)
Haverford      
Lower Merion      
Marple Newtown '14 OF Mike White '14 RHP Ciaran Cahalane '14 IF Seth Bower (Scranton)
Penncrest     '15 LHP Rob Brown
Radnor   '15 RHP Sean Correlli  
Ridley      
Springfield      
Strath Haven '14 C Kevin Mohollen (Delaware)    
Upper Darby      

 

  • OgrenIf you attend a Conestoga game this year and wonder why there aren't college coaches swarming around a team this talented, it's because virtually the entire line-up is committed already. In addition to the five position players listed above, '14 OF Austin Shirley (Georgetown) and '14 C Andrew Marlino (Denison) will also play at the next level. Two more commits, '14 RHP Kyle Stefanic (Lafayette) and '15 LHP Brendon Little (North Carolina), will lead the pitching staff. One player still left on the board, although he may not stay that way for long, is slick-fielding '15 SS Ryne Ogren (right).
  • BuliskyGarnet Valley has a strong infield captain in Bechtold and arguably the state's top catch-and-throw guy in Shanfeldt, the accuracy of whose throws is rare at the high school level. However, the Jaguars season will almost certainly hinge on the development of their pitching. '14 RHP Chance Malek (George Washington) and Sarbaugh, who is headed to college as a RHP, both sport tall, projectable frames with solid present velocity, but battled command problems throughout last season that prevented them from reaching their full potential. While he doesn't possess the same physical upside, '14 RHP Nick Bulisky (right) is the most steady strike-thrower of the three and could prove to be a lynchpin in the rotation.
  • KevitchLed by Pendleton and Rosenberg, Harriton returns a veteran line-up that will support a pitching staff fronted by '14 RHP Corey Neel (Widener). '14 Util Drake Friend (Hood) and '15 IF/RHPs Tristan Kevitch (right) and Jesse Bregman will all have the opportunity to contribute on both sides of the ball for coach Scott Kurzinsky.
  • Marple Newtown returns seven of nine starters, led by White and Bower, with '16 3B Ricky Collings providing an infusion of youth. Collings and Cahalane will provide valuable innings as coach Steve Smith welcomes back his entire pitching staff from last season.
  • RainesThe toosly Mohollen, who would fit just as well in the outfield as behind the plate, is one of only a few returners from a Strath Haven squad that went undefeated during the regular season only to fall one game short of a state playoff bid (succumbing in the district quarterfinals to eventual AAAA state champ North Penn). Sliding into the ace role for coach Brian Fili will likely be '15 RHP Ashton Raines (right), who throws from a three-quarter slot with excellent feel for his secondary stuff.
  • Di MatteoPowerful '14 OF/LHP Ron Di Matteo (right) is expected to lead a revamped Penncrest offense.  Brown is the top returning arm for the Lions, while '15 RHP Steve Moppert could earn himself some innings.
  • Corelli will star for Radnor on the mound and the infield, while '16 OF Connor Wilson (also a RB on the football team) should have an impact out of the leadoff spot.
  • Projectable 6-foot-3 '15 RHP Miles Michnowicz should be able to help Lower Merion add to its win total.
  • PisaniLeft-handed hitting '15 OF Jimmy Pisani (right) aims to boost Ridley up from the middle of the pack.
  • Upper Darby's climb to competitiveness will be led by '15 RHP/OF Bill Ryan and '15 C/1B AJ Lerro, while '17 RHP/OF Eli Chase could see varsity action as well.

 

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