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2022 New England High School Team Previews

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2022 Spring Team Preview: Phillips Academy Andover

ANDOVER, Ma. - When you have the number one junior in the country, eyes will certainly be on the program. But it is nothing new for Phillips Academy Andover, which annually makes appearances in the Central New England Prep Final Four.

“The last three seasons we’ve finished number one in the coaches poll and this year we’re number one in the preseason New England Baseball America ratings,” noted head coach Kevin Graber. “I think teams are sick of hearing about us and have us circled on their schedule. We have to match their intensity.”

A strong pitching staff will anchor this year’s squad, which is coming off a 13-1 campaign in 2021.

Thomas White, the top-rated 2023 in the nation, will lead the way after throwing 16.2 innings a year ago allowing four hits and two runs with 36 strikeouts and 12 walks, finishing with a 1-0 record and 1.08 ERA.

“When everything clicks he’s unhittable,” Graber said of the uncommitted 6-4 200-pound left-hander, whose fastball has been clocked at up to 98 miles an hour.

White, who also plays first base, is backed on the mound by Jake Needham, a Holy Cross commit. The 18th-ranked 2022 right-handed pitcher in New England did not permit an earned run in 9.1 innings last season, striking out 14 and walking two.

There is plenty of depth after that in seniors Skyler Bordiuk and Harrison Milbert, along with juniors Cole Mascott and Teo Spadaccini.

All will benefit from having Tommy McAndrews behind the plate. The Fordham commit batted .314 a year ago for Graber’s crew.

“He’s probably the best player on the team,” the 13th-year head coach said of the 6-2 230-pound catcher. “Pitching depth with a great catcher is nice to have.”

A pair of newcomers will aid Phillips Andover this season in transfers C.J. Egrie and Jesse McCullough. A Holy Cross signee, Egrie is “the fastest kid I’ve ever had,” Graber said of the team’s center fielder who was at Holy Spirit High School in New Jersey last season. McCullough, who came over from Lincoln Sudbury, is a Tufts recruit penciled in to play shortstop.

“One of the things I like about this team is that we can run,” Graber noted. “That’s our style. I like to get from point A to point B without walking or getting base hits.”

But there are a lot of holes to fill from last season after losing an impressive array of talent from the 2021 squad. Lost to graduation are Jonathan Santucci (Duke, OF/LHP), Jack Penney (Notre Dame, MIF), LJ Keevan (UMass-Lowell, LHP), Matt Sapienza (Georgetown, RHP), Jacob Lapp (Tufts, RHP), Sebastian Mexico (Fordham, OF), Eric Giarnese (Assumption, OF) and Sam Rosenfield (Rochester, RHP).

“We’re going to be young in a lot of places and our entire outfield is new,” Graber pointed out.

Two sophomores are potential starters in the infield with Isaac Lamson at third base and Larry Hotaling seeking to take over at second base.

The trio of juniors Andrew Dibenedictis and Max Gomez along with sophomore Joe Carrara are looking for time in a corner outfield position beside center fielder Egrie.

In addition to White, junior Trevor Grady and Mascott, the third-rated 2023 first baseman in New England, are others that will be first basemen for Phillips Andoever, with depth at catcher coming from sophomore Jace Roossien. Other infielders that will see the field are sophomore Ariel Miranda and freshman Luke Gallo while another ninth grader, Marek Krystofolski, provides more potential at pitcher and outfield.

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