Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

New York State Games Preview: Central Region

June 23, 2016

By JOE MAGS
New York staff 

As coach of the West Genesee Wildcats, a team with the competitive misfortune of going 1-5 against Cicero-North Syracuse and Liverpool this spring, Kevin Krause is more than aware of how gifted his Central New York-based roster is entering Prep Baseball Report’s 2016 New York State Games.

“As an AA team, we play a lot of the top teams (in the state),” Krause said. “Liverpool and CNS are always the top teams in the Syracuse area.”

In addition to three of his own players, Liam Barry (2018), Matt Kot (2018) and Brian VanBeveren (2017), Krause has 12 players from the acclaimed Central New York Counties League (CNYCL). Barry was injured most of the year, but at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Krause was happy to get several promising outings out of the RHP before season’s end.

“He threw three games in relief and picked up two saves and a win,” Krause said. “He’s poised and has movement. He would have been our top guy.”

Kot is a 5-foot-10, 205 pound, third baseman and catcher. His exit velocity (84) and home to first base speed (4.28) make him an intriguing prospect with two years of high school ball remaining. VanBeveren is a 6-foot-1, 185 pound, outfielder with a 60 time of 6.88.

Liverpool pulled way out in front of the CNYCL before falling to CNS in the AA sectional title game and finishing at 18-5, 14-4. Jonah Harder (2017) is the 79th ranked player and 13th ranked outfielder in the state. The 6-footer has a 7.01 60 time with an 83 position velocity.

“He can fly,” Krause said.

Jacob Sisto (2017) — whose brother Ricky Sisto played shortstop at Miami (Ohio) — is the 12th ranked catcher in the state. Tommy Bianchi (2017) is a speedy outfielder who batted .333 and scored 10 runs part-time for the Warriors. Jake Evans (2017) is a 6-foot-1 shortstop who batted .391 and drove in 25 runs for Liverpool this season.

“He was the guy (from Liverpool) that stood out the most,” Krause said. “He can play any infield position. Liverpool was lucky to have senior middle infielders, (but Evans could) have started in the middle.”

Coming from the North Stars is Connor Stanton (2017), the sixth-ranked outfielder in the state who’s already committed to Fairleigh Dickinson. Dylan Frawley (2017) is the fourth-ranked catching prospect. At 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Frawley has a recorded pop time of 1.96 and an exit velocity of 84.

Chris Cramer (2017) is a 6-foot-0, 175 pound RHP throwing in the early-to-mid 80s. He ranks 23rd in the state after striking out 28 batters in 33 2/3 innings for CNS as a junior.

“He threw well in the section, and throws three pitches for strikes,” Krause said.

Krause’s team is especially loaded at first base. Davey Moffett (2018) is currently the seventh-ranked first baseman prospect in the country. The Vernon-Verona-Sherrill product is 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, with an exit velocity of 92.

“I know him from word of mouth,” Krause said. “He’s a big time college prospect with massive power.”

Vincenzo Castronovo (2018) or “Chez” out of Proctor is the second ranked first baseman in the state. At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Chez has an exit velocity of 88 and a 60 time of 6.92. His Proctor teammate Brent Jones (2017) is a second baseman with an exit velocity of 85.

Cameron Morrissey (2017) is a 6-foot-1, 175 pound, LHP from Baldwinsville.

“He’s unorthodox,” Krause said. “He’ll stand out because batters can’t read him. He pitched well against us in season [5 inn., 2 ER, 7Ks].”

Dominick Spinoso (2017) is the 10th ranked RHP in the state. The 5-foot-10, 180 pounder from Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse) throws in the mid-80s, and as a shortstop prospect, possesses an exit velocity of 90 and a position velocity of 84.

Krause is happy to have infielders Matt Cappelletti (2017) and Casey Kretsch (2017) from Jamesville-DeWitt on his roster, as he noted players from that program are always fundamentally sound. Cappelletti batted .385 with 25 runs and 23 RBIs, and Kretsch hit .441 with 11 doubles, 15 walks and 28 RBIs.

“If you put up numbers in AA or A, you can play,” Krause said. “There aren’t easy games (in our area).”

Krause is pleased with the opportunity to coach at the New York State Games after never getting the chance to work at the Empire League.

“Dan (Cevette) called and I was excited,” Krause said. “I’m taking my JV coach Chris Procopio. My role is limited in-game. (The players) will get on base and steal bases. I’m not trying to win the World Series.”

Readers can view Central's roster by scrolling here.  Central's pitching matchups can be viewed here. 

RECENT NEWS