High School Baseball Preview: RCAC

RCAC UPPER DIVISION

EDISON TECH INVENTORS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 6-12.

Coach: Kyle Tickner (9-26/third year).

Top returners: Yadiel Cruz (Sr. C – finished with a .377 batting average and .476 on-base percentage, recorded 24 runs, 15 base hits, five doubles, and 12 stolen bases; picked off 13 base runners), Angel Quinones (Sr. P – finished with three wins last season and 37 strike outs; scored 14 runs and hit eight singles, two doubles, and two triples, knocked in 10 runs)

Top newcomers: Macklin Lewis (Sr. P/SS/OF), Marcos Fernandez (So. 2B), Edgar Torres (Fr. P/RF/1B)

First game: Tuesday, April 2nd vs. Franklin at 4:30 p.m.

Outlook: The Inventors rebuilt a solid team filled with young talent after losing 13 seniors last season. In that roster are more pitchers and more players that can play multiple positions. Will this young, versatile team make noise in the league?

FRANKLIN QUAKERS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 9-8.

Coach: Eddie Lee (140-316/31st year).

Top returners: Julian Cotto (Sr. SS/C – finished with a .413 batting average, 27 runs, and 18 RBI, awarded team MVP as a sophomore and junior), Angel DeJesus (Jr. OF/1B – hit .364 last season), Nomar Quinones (Jr. P/3B/1B).

Top newcomers: Greiram Ramos (Jr. P/INF – 5-foot-9, 165 lbs), Callan Reddington (Fr. P/2B – 5-foot-8, 130 lbs).

First game: Tuesday, April 2nd at Edison.

Outlook: Can the Quakers overcome early-season question marks, such as pitching and catching, to improve from last season?

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY LIONS (Class A2)

Last season: Finished 11-10.

Coach: Dave Sackett (51-68/ninth year).

Top returners: Justin Morales (Sr. P – .357 batting average with a team-leading 14 RBI; recorded five wins and three saves on the mound), Roman Rivera (Sr. – .303 batting average with 21 stolen bases), Hylander Candelario (Sr. C – caught 20 games behind the plate last year).

Top newcomers: Victor Mercado (So. 2B/P/1B – 5’8″)

First game: Tuesday, April 2nd at East.

Outlook: Leadership has eight seniors on its roster that are looking to build off of last year’s winning season. Morales, Rivera, and Mercado will lead the way on the mound, while Jaquez Cochran, Morales, and Rivera will contribute at the heart of the Lions’ lineup. Will the senior leadership fire up a hungry Leadership team?

WILSON/EARLY COLLEGE WILDCATS (Class A1)

Last season: Finished 5-10.

Coach: Barry Burke (11-20/third year).

Top returners: James Baldrich (Sr. P/SS – Second Team All-RCAC), Jose Gonzales (Jr. P/2B), Edwin Soto (Jr. P/3B), Yajob Rodriguez (Jr. OF).

Top newcomers: Max Lamorra (Fr. P/1B), Pedro Ortiz (Jr. CF), Yakiel Bonilla (Fr. P/C).

First game: Friday, April 5th vs. Franklin at Genesee Valley Park.

Outlook: Despite being a relatively young team, the Wildcats bring a few solid players back this season while adding young talent with strong youth experience. Will the two mix to become a threat in the league?

RCAC LOWER DIVISION

EAST EAGLES (Class A2)

Last season: 15-6, lost to Aquinas in Sectional quarterfinals.

Coach: Kyle Crandall (253-115/18th year).

Top returners: Tyrone Roundtree Jr. (Sr. C – Second Team RCAC, .353 batting average with a .549 on-base percentage, 32 runs, two doubles, two triples, two homers, and 17 RBI), Alex Figueroa (Sr. 2B – hit .255 last season with 18 runs, eight RBI, and a .406 on-base percentage), Angel Silva (Jr. 1B/P – finished with a .246 batting average and a .408 on-base percentage with four doubles and 10 RBI; recorded a 3.94 ERA, 31 Ks and a 4-1 record in 21 innings pitched).

Top newcomers: Victor Arroyo (Fr. SS), Freddie Brock (Jr. OF), Michael Conrow (Fr. P/IF), Edgar Diaz (Fr. 3B/P), Joshua Figueroa (Jr. INF), JJ Smith (Fr. OF)

Next game: Tuesday, April 2nd vs. Leadership Academy.

Outlook: East is looking to build upon the leadership of its returning players to appear in its 15th consecutive City Championship game. Many of last season’s top contributors graduated, leaving a mix of young talent worked into the lineup and pitching rotation. The squad hopes to improve as the season progresses; will they be playing their best baseball at mid-May?

MONROE RED JACKETS (Class A2)

Last season: Finished 7-11.

Coach: Chris Golamb (55-62/seventh year).

Top returners: Gregory Romero (Sr. Utility), Rey Arizmendi (Sr. Utility), Guillermo Marquez (Sr. P/OF).

Top newcomers: Joaquin Diaz (So. INF/P), Rafeal Geraldino (Jr. INF/P).

First game: Wednesday, April 3rd at C.G. Finney.

Outlook: Will this young team live up to its potential to bounce back from last season?

NE DOUGLASS PANTHERS (Class A2)

Last season: 0-19

Coach: Willie Givens (First year)

Top returners: Ramon Cruz, Ethan Nerau, Mark Berry, and Quadir Hodges-McKnight.

Next game: Thursday, April 4th vs. C.G. Finney.

Outlook: Can a fresh perspective in the new head coach, alongside the returners, help the Panthers bounce back?

SCHOOL OF THE ARTS SILVERHAWKS (Class A2)

Last season: Finished 11-8 and lost to Wayne in sectionals.

Coach: Jason Cronberger (111-128/13th year).

Top returners: Reece Correa (Sr. P/1B/OF – batted .360 with 7 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 homers, knocked in 22 runs), Ross Janezic (Jr. P/INF – posted a .516 average with 32 runs, 34 RBI, 11 doubles, 5 triples, and 1 home run).

Top newcomers: Abel Austin (Fr. P/3B).

First game: Wednesday, April 3rd at Gates-Chili.

Outlook: Will the Silverhawks’ off season work give them an edge early in the season?

RCAC Pre-Season Coaches’ Poll

UPPER DIVISION

1. Franklin (7)
2. Leadership (1)
3. Edison
4. Wilson

LOWER DIVISION

1. SOTA (5)
2. East (3)
3. Monroe
4. NE Douglass

*First-place votes in parentheses.