Riverdale, N.Y. (October 16, 2007)- The Manhattan College Baseball 2007 recruiting class has been rated the second best in the Northeast by Baseball America Magazine, it was announced recently. The Jaspers are the only MAAC program represented on the list.
“The credit for this accomplishment goes to my whole staff,” noted third year head coach Kevin Leighton. “I am proud of the hard work and dedication of assistant coaches Mike Cole and Ryan Darcy, who have put in the long hours and traveled across the country to find student-athletes that best fit our program athletically and academically. I am excited about this group of young men, and I am confident that they will achieve in the classroom and keep Manhattan Baseball on the map for years to come.”
The Baseball America article is quoted as noting that, “The centerpiece of the Jaspers' class is lefthander Dan Forman, who commands three pitches including a fastball that has reached 93 mph. Jose Behar is a solid defensive catcher with a plus arm who will succeed another talented catch-and-throw guy in Nick Derba; Behar also has some power to the gaps. First baseman Austin Sheffield has good size and hits for average and some power.”
Joining Forman (Jamaica, N.Y./St. Francis Prep), Behar (Miami, Fla./Killian HS), and Sheffield (Palmetto Bay, Fla./Gulliver Prep) as members of the Jasper Baseball Class of 2011 are Mark Onorati (Williston Park, N.Y./Herricks HS), Luis Llerena (Miami, Fla./Hialeah HS), Chad Salem (Rye, N.Y./Iona Prep), Mike Diorio (Chappaqua, N.Y./Horace Greely HS), Osmani Sanchez (Miami, Fla./Hialieah HS), Kyle Waddell (Tucson. Ariz./Sahuaro HS), and Rob Ardino (White Plains, N.Y./Iona Prep)
Manhattan opens the 2008 season February 22-24, traveling to Charlotte, N.C. to take on the UNC-Charlotte 49ers in a three game series.
From Baseball America:
NORTHEAST
1. Boston College
Boston College did a nice job scooping up most of the top high school players in Massachusetts, led by third baseman Maguire Wiswall, who has a mature approach and quick bat speed that allows him to square balls up consistently. With a low-90s fastball, Wiswall could develop into a two-way player with some coaching. Projectable righthander Kevin Moran has touched 91 mph and has the makings of a hard slider; Garret Smith is a sound defensive shortstop with good size and strength in his swing; Marc Perdios has speed in center field; and Luke Prohovic is a first baseman with some raw power.
2. Manhattan
The centerpiece of the Jaspers' class is lefthander Dan Forman, who commands three pitches including a fastball that has reached 93 mph. Jose Behar is a solid defensive catcher with a plus arm who will succeed another talented catch-and-throw guy in Nick Derba; Behar also has some power to the gaps. First baseman Austin Sheffield has good size and hits for average and some power.
3. Maine
Maine's class is pitching-heavy with several Canadian prospects, led by Ontario righthander Kyle Benoit, who can run his fastball up to 96 mph at times. Fellow Ontario natives Carson Pillar and Matthew Jebb also have good arms. Lefty Jonathan Balentina, a Curacao native, works in the 89-92 range.
4. Lehigh
Brendan McGaheran has good speed, a strong arm and occasional pop and should start immediately in Lehigh's middle infield. Logan Marshall also adds speed and some lefthanded pop, while Kevin Mihalik and Jim McConlogue are both polished, though neither has overwhelming velocity.
5. Vermont
Cornell transfer Justin Milo will help the Catamounts in hockey and baseball, but as a four-year transfer he doesn't help their recruiting class ranking. Still, Matt Duffy is an impact two-way player who works in the 87-89 mph range off the mound and hits for power. Mark Micowski is an above-average runner who makes consistent contact and good baserunning instincts, and Tom Kelly could be another good two-way player with a fastball that reaches 88, a plus breaking ball and a line-drive bat.
