Opportunity At Long Island Is ‘Something Special’ For Bartoli

Will Bartoli C / 3B / Frederick Gunn School, CT / 2025

WOODBURY, Ct. - The ability to play more than one position played a key role in Will Bartoli finding a college home.

“With the rosters shrinking, my versatility being able to play all over the field makes me more valuable,” explained the Frederick Gunn High School senior, who has made a commitment to play at Long Island University. “They like my speed and my hit tool.”

The 18th-rated 2025 catcher in New England, a left-handed hitter, was first seen by Long Island at a Prep Baseball showcase in the fall of freshman year.

“They followed me, talked to my travel coaches, and saw me a couple more times during summer ball,” Bartoli reflected. “This summer they saw me and talked to my coach with MVP New England. I went on a visit at the beginning of August and loved it. I loved what the coaches there had to say and what they had pictured for me being part of their program.

“All the success they’ve had, they’ve made a lot of regionals, I want to be part of that.”

Schools “in similar leagues as Long Island” also showed an interest in Bartoli but it was the university located in Brooklyn, two hours from home, that helped fulfill his goal of playing college baseball.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was younger, in fifth or sixth grade,” the 56th-ranked senior in Connecticut related. “When I saw it as a real possibility was when I played real travel ball the summer of my freshman year. I started to take it seriously and found out that I could play at the next level.”

Improvement followed for the 5-8 156-pounder from Woodbury.

“The biggest thing for me was strength,” Bartoli explained. “I’ve gotten a lot stronger which has helped me improve in all facets of my game. I’ve continued to improve my bat and my defensive ability.”

The recruiting process was “definitely stressful” according to the eighth-rated 2025 catcher in Connecticut.

“It was exciting at times, but a lot of it was stressful,” the 17-year-old admitted. “It started on Aug. 1 going into junior year when about 10 schools reached out. Then things slowed down. Matt Burns, my travel coach, helped get my name out there and find big events where I was seen. Prep Baseball also helped a lot. The Future Games got me in front of almost every school I wanted.

“Coach Jeff Trundy, my high school coach and a longtime Cape Cod coach, helped me mature as a player,” added Bartoli. “He taught me so much about the game.”

A commitment was “a big weight off my shoulders” in the eyes of Bartoli.

“It’s something I’ve dreamed of forever,” Bartoli said. “It’s such a relieving feeling.”

A major in something in the business field is being considered by the 145th-ranked senior in New England, a 3.2 student confident about making an impact on the field for the Northeast Conference university.

“I’ll bring them a competitor,” Bartoli pointed out. “I’m not the biggest or the strongest or have the craziest tools, but I’m someone that can help the program win.”

That is just part of what Bartoli is looking forward to at college.

“I’m excited about getting to know all the guys on the team and being part of something bigger, being able to help the program win as well as get an education,” Bartoli concluded. “This opportunity is something special.”