UConn Baseball Recruiting and Commitment Thread

[kris1]

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Local blurb on Big North Conference's pitcher of the month - Josh Cohen of Indian Hills (the fact that he's even playing baseball today, not to mention going to a a D1 baseball program is an accomplishment in and of itself).

"Big North Conference pitcher: Josh Cohen, Indian Hills, Sr.

Cohen started his season off with a bang and struck out 15 batters on his way to a complete-game 4-0 win over Marist on April 6. The UConn recruit allowed just two hits in the victory and walked one. Cohen is a cancer survivor and through the Make-a-Wish Foundation pitched in front of scouts at the New York Mets' training facility in Florida last year."

Baseball Players of the Week: Top hitters, pitchers in every conference for Week 1

As the high school infield is still under water (the school is on the side of a hill, so its all tiers with the high school itself on top and the baseball diamond/soccer field at the bottom and as water runs downhill...), I caught Josh Cohen pitch for a bit today. The high school was using the 90' Rec Field, which happens to be across the street from the 60' field my 9U travel team had a game today.

He's not a big guy (I guessed 5' 10", PG has him at 6' 1"); but still is imposing as he just gives off this 'angry professional' vibe as his warm-up pitches hitting the catcher's mitt have a notiable bite to them vesus what I heard from the other guys. He has a high leg lick and talks to himself a lot on the mound. I caught roughly 4 innings and he gave-up 2 hits, 2 walks and no runs. PV, which has a good team, did load the bases in the 3rd with 2 outs; but, Cohen just overpowered the next guy with 3 straight fastballs. One of the Hills' coaches was next to me and had a gun showing Cohen was hitting low '80's. But I bet he can go higher as he was fighting with a soft/wet mound. His fastball ranges between waist and knee high on average and he also flashes an off-speed pitch that really drops. So, good command. His weakness, especially watching him deal with poor footing, is sometimes he tries to do too much. I could hear Hill's Head Coach tell him to 'just pitch,' a lot. Decent glove an defense from what I saw as he easily took care of a 1-3 ground-out and comfortably covered a 3-1 put-out, also. I did not see him bat.

I would also like to catch Favieri this Spring, to; but, its unlikely as I would have to make a special trip to see him as Ridgewood is class IV and thus does not play any of the nearby high schools, which are class II or III. Plus, I suspect I will have no free time once the rain (hopefully) ends as I will be in a mad scramble with make-up games for my 9U and 12U baseball teams.

 

[dbmill]

During the South Florida game broadcast today, Chris Jones mentioned that a California JUCO had just committed to UConn, signing a letter of intent. No name or what position the guy plays was mentioned.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Got a bit lucky today as it was nice out, had an open weekend, none of the 3 youth baseball teams I am coaching rescheduled a game to today, and Hills had a non-division game scheduled with Ridgewood that was not surprisingly cancelled in light all of the divisional and county games that need to be made-up due to the weather.

I was a bit surprised that Ridgewood went mostly with an A-team as they have two division games to make-up this week and are playing a County Semi-Final game on Saturday. Hills, which was the 12th Seed in the same County Tournament and was upset at the 21st Seed (Hill’s field was non playable), fielded mostly a B team. Naturally, Ridgewood, which is projected to be the 2nd Seed in the North 1 Group 4 State Playoffs that begin next week, beat Hills, which is projected to be the 10th Seed in the North 1 Group 3 playoffs, 9-2. Hills was only down 3-1 at the start of the 5th before their Sophomore Starter got tired and was tagged for a 3-run double and then a 2-run Home Run to blow the game open. Josh Cohen did not play at all, though he did smile when I saw my UConn 6th Borough T-shirt and was the only Hills player not to cheer when Favieri struck-out. Oh, both teams need more practice as there were 3 or 4 high pop flies that players lost in the sun and blue sky, neither of which the kids have seen a lot of this Spring.

Favieri played 2B for 6 innings and then came in the 7th to pitch with the Maroons up 9-2 to close it out. He’s about the same high as Cohen; but, is not as built as the Hills pitcher is. That said, his technique looks better and he was very calm. His fastball, which looked to be in the low 80’s, was unhittable. When he missed, he always missed high. He did record 3 K’s; but, did allow 2 baserunners. His off-speed curve needs work as the Hills batters keyed on hit. They smacked a pair of deep fouls to Left, an error with a pop fly to Center was lost in the sun, and a single ripped just past the 1st Baseman. I did not know is that he throws Right; but, hits Left. He ground-out and struck-out in the 2 at bats that I saw (I know I missed at least 1 of his at-bats talking to a neighbor).

 

[dbmill]

Article on UConn commit Todd Petersen, which asks the question, can someone who is 6'6'' play shortstop on the college level?

Newtown’s Peterson a chip off the old block

 

[dbmill]

UConn baseball has gotten a commitment from California JUCO Zach Bushling, a 5'9'' lefty hitting middle infielder from Sierra College, the school which also sent Mike Woodworth and Jeffrey Kersten to Storrs. I checked a few game box scores, and found that Bushling played 2B in those games this season.

Bushling signs letter to play at UCONN

Another Kern Valley High School athlete will enjoy the next level of competition.

kernvalleysun.com

Zach Bushling

Zach Bushling

athletics.sierracollege.edu

 

[huskymedic]

UConn baseball has gotten a commitment from California JUCO Zach Bushling, a 5'9'' lefty hitting middle infielder from Sierra College, the school which also sent Mike Woodworth to Storrs. I checked some game box scores, and found that Bushling played 2B this season.

Bushling signs letter to play at UCONN

Another Kern Valley High School athlete will enjoy the next level of competition.

kernvalleysun.com

Zach Bushling

Zach Bushling

athletics.sierracollege.edu

Well that apparently answers that outstanding question...

 

[huskymedic]

... its that time of year.

Varsity Insider @lohudinsider 23 hours ago
Final from Brewster: Bears beat Nanuet 2-0. UConn commit Bobby McBride with the one-hit shutout for @brew_baseball. 13 Ks and 4 BB. Rye glad it won’t have to face McBride tomorrow in the quarterfinals. He shut out Rye, then the No. 1 seed, 1-0, in the first round.

 

[Guapo]

Article on UConn commit Todd Petersen, which asks the question, can someone who is 6'6'' play shortstop on the college level?

Newtown’s Peterson a chip off the old block

Maybe tallstop...

 

[Dibbie]

Article on UConn commit Todd Petersen, which asks the question, can someone who is 6'6'' play shortstop on the college level?

Newtown’s Peterson a chip off the old block

Saw him play this year. Very fluid defender, made some nice throws on the run (charging soft grounders) and he is fast. Needs to get stronger at the plate, doesn't drive the ball as you would think a kid his size would.

 

[uconnbaseball]

Saw him play this year. Very fluid defender, made some nice throws on the run (charging soft grounders) and he is fast. Needs to get stronger at the plate, doesn't drive the ball as you would think a kid his size would.

Sounds like a dude this staff can develop into a monster after some time in the weight room.

 

[Pudge]

Do we have a nice little Excel list of our recruitment?

 

[dbmill]

Do we have a nice little Excel list of our recruitment?

I usually post a recruiting update a few times a year, so here we go again:

2020 season

Gavin Kee - OF/C/1B
Tyler Griggs - 3B/2B
Chris Brown - 3B
Todd Petersen - 3B/SS
Ryan Hyde - C/OF
Zach Bushling (JUCO) - Inf

Andrew Marrero - RHP
Max Nielsen - LHP
Zach Donahue - RHP
Sam Favieri - RHP
Patrick Gallagher - RHP
Joshua Cohen - RHP
Reggie Crawford - LHP
Garrett Coe - LHP

2021 season

David Christoforo - 1B/C
Phoenix Billings - SS
Bryan Padilla - SS

Joe Wozny - RHP
Saar Rosa - RHP
Brendan O’Donnell - LHP/1B
Adrian Siravo - RHP
Calvin Ziegler - RHP
Bobby McBride - RHP

2022 season

Matthew Garbowski - C/OF

 

[huskymedic]

I usually post a recruiting update a few times a year, so here we go again:

2020 season

Gavin Kee - OF/C/1B
Tyler Griggs - 3B/2B
Chris Brown - 3B
Todd Petersen - 3B/SS
Ryan Hyde - C/OF
Zach Bushling (JUCO) - Inf

Andrew Marrero - RHP
Max Nielsen - LHP
Zach Donahue - RHP
Sam Favieri - RHP
Patrick Gallagher - RHP
Joshua Cohen - RHP
Reggie Crawford - LHP
Garrett Coe - LHP

2021 season

David Christoforo - 1B/C
Phoenix Billings - SS
Bryan Padilla - SS

Joe Wozny - RHP
Saar Rosa - RHP
Brendan O’Donnell - LHP/1B
Adrian Siravo - RHP
Calvin Ziegler - RHP
Bobby McBride - RHP

2022 season

Matthew Garbowski - C/OF

Billings is a 2020 I believe

 

[Stainmaster]

Billings is a 2020 I believe

I think @dbmill's list is by "first season in a Husky uniform," not "HS graduating class."

 

[dbmill]

Billings is a 2020 I believe

I label the classes by the spring that they arrive on campus. Yes, he graduates high school in 2020, but his freshman spring season will be in 2021. Yes, probably a little confusing since it seems most recruiting lists go by the year of high school graduation.

 

[huskymedic]

I think @dbmill's list is by "first season in a Husky uniform," not "HS graduating class."

I label the classes by the spring that they arrive on campus. Yes, he graduates high school in 2020, but his freshman spring season will be in 2021. Yes, probably a little confusing since it seems most recruiting lists go by the year of high school graduation.

Got it. I forgot to take my football helmet off...

 

[huskymedic]

WILBUR CROSS 2, WESTHILL 1
Andrew Marrero pitched a complete game, 1-hitter and struck out 14 in Wilbur Cross’ first tournament victory since 2002. Angel Galindez had two hits and two stolen bases for Cross. TJ Wainwright pitched seven innings allowing only 1 run, but took the loss for Westhill.

Westhill​

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—​

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Wilbur Cross​

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Batteries: Westhill–T.J. Wainwright, Evan Campbell (8, 0-1), James Gerard (8) and Matt OConnor; Wilbur Cross–Andrew Marrero, Angel Galindez (8, 5-0) and Angel Galindez
Team records: Westhill (6-2-0); Wilbur Cross (10-6-0)

Comments: Marrero pitched 7 strong innings striking out 14 and only allowing 1 hit and 1 unearned run. Angel Galindez had 2 hits for Wilbur Cross and 2 SB. Westhill: TJ Wainwright pitched 7 innings allowing only 1 run.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Officials moved this playoff game up to 2 PM yesterday to get it in before the storms hit. Favieri threw 5 hitless for Ridgewood innings and gave-up 1 hit and 1 run. The 1 hit (and RBI) was a bunt. Not sure if he will pitch in the North 1 Group IV Section Championship game against Bloomfield (#1 seed) as schedules and pitch-counts are all screwed-up due to the bad weather.

Near no-no, explosive bats propel No. 11 Ridgewood back to sectional final

Ridgewood starter Sam Favieri was an out away from a no-hitter, then something unusual happened.

highschoolsports.nj.com

Josh Cohen's HS baseball career is over after Indian Hills lost to nemesis Pascack Valley (split the regular season 1-1, lost in the State Playoffs) in the prior round, which he was not available to pitch as he had thrown in the prior game

 

[kris1]

Monster HR for UConn commit Todd Peterson, but Amity came back to win 4-3 and move on to their seventh straight appearance in the state semi-finals.

 

[HuskyHawk]

So I looked at @dbmill's list. And read through some of the thread. Hard to get a feel for how these guys project at this level. I see low 80's fastball and that makes me think "red-shirt".

It's also somewhat difficult for those of us less familiar with the draft etc. to get a feel for who we are losing and who will be back.

Prato is a Junior. Is he gone?
Wallace is a Junior, I'm assuming he's gone.
Feole, also a junior. Back? Gone?
I'm assuming the other juniors aren't drafted and return. CJ is a RS Senior? Back?

We obviously lose seniors Woodworth, Phillips, Gardner, Kersten,

 

[uconnbaseball]

I would be stunned if any of those juniors are back. Feole might have a 5% chance if he slips - a big year next year could maje him a 1st round draft pick.

 

[navery12]

So I looked at @dbmill's list. And read through some of the thread. Hard to get a feel for how these guys project at this level. I see low 80's fastball and that makes me think "red-shirt".

It's also somewhat difficult for those of us less familiar with the draft etc. to get a feel for who we are losing and who will be back.

Prato is a Junior. Is he gone?
Wallace is a Junior, I'm assuming he's gone.
Feole, also a junior. Back? Gone?
I'm assuming the other juniors aren't drafted and return. CJ is a RS Senior? Back?

We obviously lose seniors Woodworth, Phillips, Gardner, Kersten,

Prato is likely gone, basically any junior taken will end up signing. There's always exceptions like LJ Mazzilli but the upside is limited as college seniors often get low signing bonuses with the lack of leverage.

Good bet Feole is gone if he's taken day 2 as teams don't want to waste those picks since they also lose the slot money if a player doesn't sign.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Officials moved this playoff game up to 2 PM yesterday to get it in before the storms hit. Favieri threw 5 hitless for Ridgewood innings and gave-up 1 hit and 1 run. The 1 hit (and RBI) was a bunt. Not sure if he will pitch in the North 1 Group IV Section Championship game against Bloomfield (#1 seed) as schedules and pitch-counts are all screwed-up due to the bad weather.

Near no-no, explosive bats propel No. 11 Ridgewood back to sectional final

Ridgewood starter Sam Favieri was an out away from a no-hitter, then something unusual happened.

highschoolsports.nj.com

Josh Cohen's HS baseball career is over after Indian Hills lost to nemesis Pascack Valley (split the regular season 1-1, lost in the State Playoffs) in the prior round, which he was not available to pitch as he had thrown in the prior game

And Ridgewood is off to the Group IV State Championship Game after a 6 to 1 win over Westfield today behind Favieri who went 6 1/3 today throwing 103 pitches giving-up 1 ER while while striking out 6. The recap has a nice little post-game interview with him.

Group 4 semifinals give Ridgewood revenge with historic victory (VIDEO)

Rich Bevensee | For NJ Advance Media Ridgewood could have focused all its energy on taking revenge on its opponent after losing in last year's state semifinals to the same ballclub. Or, the Maroons...

highschoolsports.nj.com

The Maroons will now play Eastern Regional (Voorhees Township) down in Hamilton (near Trenton) on Saturday for its first ever appearance in the state championship game.

 

[huskymedic]

UConn Baseball Commit Reggie Crawford selected in the 37 round by KC.