Herkimer Baseball Spring Preview
Herkimer will begin its 17th year under Head Coach Jason Rathbun this spring and the Generals are looking to advance to their 8th World Series under Rathbun. Talent will not be an issue for Herkimer as they return some very talented players from last season where they finished 32-4 overall.
Leading the Generals at the plate this year will be returning All-American Dakota Britt (Rockwall, TX). The lefty hitting third baseman hit .411 with 14 doubles, 2 triples, 7 homeruns, with 30 RBI's and 15 stolen bases out of the leadoff spot last season. Britt looks to move into the 3 spot in the lineup and will be protected by returning first baseman Sal Carricato (Farmingville, NY). The 6'4"-240 pound righty hit .400 with 12 doubles, 5 homeruns, and 24 RBI's last year.
Joining them in the infield will be returning All-Conference second baseman Kyle Caccamise (Hopewell Junction, NY) who hit .418 with 7 doubles, 2 homeruns and only 5 strikeouts over 91 AB's last year. Shortstop duties will go Chance Checca (Ballston Spa, NY) who is a very strong hitter who will be in the middle of the lineup.
The outfield features some serious speed and guys with multiple tools. Returning in centerfield is Region III Defensive Player of the Year Trey Miller (Sound Beach, NY) who features a 92 mph arm and 6.5-60 speed after hitting .365 and 18 stolen bases as a freshman. Miller will also see time on the mound late in ball games and as a backup infielder. Jovani Wiggs (Amsterdam, NY) had a huge fall to claim the leftfield position where his power and speed combo are catching professional scouts attention, he will play in the Draft League this summer. Rightfield will see Mike Gunning (Rocky Point, NY) who is a transfer from DI Lafayette is one of the most talented players on the team. Gunning hit .455 in the fall and led the team in doubles, triples, and stolen bases. Gunning will also be used in the pen with his electric fastball as well as a backup infielder. Jordan Lewis (Ontario, Canada) is a transfer from Union College who has the speed and athleticism to play all three outfield spots and a huge threat on the base paths.
Ethan Duda (Latham, NY) is a power bat who finished the fall very strong and will see time at DH and the outfield. Ben Gilbert (Guilderland, NY) is a long athletic player with the ability to play multiple positions on the field and showed some nice ability at the plate this fall. Griffin Yastremski (Bath, NY) is a big physical power hitting lefty that will spend time at DH, 1B, and the OF as well as log innings on the mound with his 90 mph fastball.
Ty Gallagher (Saugerties, NY) got quality at bats as a freshman and during the summer in the PGCBL and looks to hold down catching duties this year. Don Wille (Sachem East, NY) is a big physical catcher with raw power at the plate and showed flashes of huge upside this fall. Tyson Cho (Korea) has strong receiving skills as well as power at the plate. Connor Lynch (Newport, NY) is another physical catcher with a very strong arm.
The pitching staff is led by returning All American and Louisville commit Greg Farone (Schenectady, NY). The 6'6"-240 pound lefty has been ranked across multiple national prospect lists including #28 by Perfect Game and #23 overall and #2 LHP by PBR. Farone went 6-0 over 43 innings with 74 strikeouts and 19 walks with a 2.09 ERA working 86-87 mph last year, Farone has been up to 93-95 mph this spring. Dayton commit Ryan Packard (Oneonta, NY) will lock down the two spot in the rotation who is a big physical RHP with low 90's fastball. Jake Lombardi (Levitown, NY) is a DII transfer who won a title in NYCBL this summer with Cortland. Lombardi is an upper 80's RHP with elite off speed. Lefty Ethan Patch (Whitehall, NY) moves into the rotation after working out of the pen as a freshman where he worked 16.1 innings with 26 strikeouts and 6 walks and a 1.65 ERA. Joel Hayner (Halfmoon, NY) is an athletic RHP with an upper 80's fastball and competes with multiple pitches. Eddie Rogers (Little Falls, NY), Christian Ramirez (Amityville, NY) are returning bullpen arms who had success last year. Luke Pusz (Schenectady, NY), Austin Barnao (Clemons, NY), Drew Coelho (Schenectady, NY), Logan Kaufman (Hobart, NY), Derek Hotzler (Richmondville, NY) Corey Casteline (Johnson City, NY) are all mid 80's with their fastball and provide different match ups with their off speed combinations and all looking to break through this year. AJ Rathbun (Herkimer, NY) and Dom Tuozzo (Plainedge, NY) are matchup arms out of the bullpen.