Abbruzzi Ready To Get To Work As A Maine Commit

Brian Abbruzzi 3B / 1B / Mt. Hope, RI / 2026

BRISTOL, R.I. - The phone call from Maine came at 10 a.m. on Aug. 1. It did not take Brian Abbruzzi long to decide.

“They offered and I took it on the spot,” Abbruzzi said. “I knew Maine was where I wanted to go. Two years ago we went there to play 15U-18U and I met the coaching staff. They were great guys.”

The versatile Abbruzzi had a lot of assistance leading up to the first day college coaches could make contact with incoming juniors.

“I was putting in the work and had a pretty good sophomore season in high school,” Abbruzzi explained. “I have great coaches (Cody Ortega, Joe Brooks and Matt Ferreira with the New England Scorpions) that helped me out. I trusted the process with Cody (the director of operations with the Scorpions) and thought if I keep doing this I’ll get my looks. Thank goodness (head) coach (Nick) Derba gave me a chance.

“I have teammates going there, that’s one of the main factors for me,” the Mt. Hope High School junior added in reference to Henry Kearns and Miles Fontaine, a pair of Maine 2025 commits that play on the New England Scorpions. “They’re great guys to be around.”

The desire to play college baseball has been there for a long time according to Abbruzzi.

“My whole life I’ve wanted to play at the next level,” the 17-year-old related. “Wherever I could get to. It’s my passion. Division I baseball is what I’ve worked for.”

Maine is of the belief the left-handed hitting Abbruzzi can be a major contributor to the program, be it at first base, corner outfield or third base.

“Coach Derba loves my projectability,” the 6-2 185-pounder noted. “He likes how I can put the bat on the ball really well.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process was far from easy.

“With recruitment now you can only start talking on Aug. 1, so there’s no contact with anybody,” Abbruzzi explained. “I went to a Scorpions showcase with Prep Baseball and I did well. I think that put me out there a little bit.

“But during the summer I was pretty stressed. You have no clue if coaches like you or not, I just kind of trusted the process and let Cody do his thing. I kept thinking to myself if I do my best somebody's gonna want me.”

An improved game was beneficial in the eyes of Abbruzzi.

“I’ve put in the most work I’ve ever done over the last year,” Abbruzzi related. “Constant reps, taking it one step at a time and trying to be better every single day. In the winter I really put in the work and it paid off with one of my best years swinging the bat. I put the work in knowing it would all pay off.”

Abbruzzi is confident he can make an impact at the America East Conference university located five hours from home.

“Passion, a good bat and good speed,” Abbruzzi said in listing what he feels he can bring to the program. “I just want to be the best player I can be out there.”

A major in the business field is being considered by Abbruzzi, a 3.0 student who “felt great” when a commitment was official.

“So much relief was lifted,” Abbruzzi said. “The next two years I don’t have to worry about recruitment and can just focus on getting better as a player. It felt great to have the pressure off of me.”

It has given Abbruzzi time to look forward to his days ahead at the university in Orono.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to get up there and work every day around people that want it as much as I do,” Abbruzzi concluded. “I can’t wait to be around them and work with them.”