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New York Talent Blooms In The Garden State

December 23, 2014



Jared Carrier
Scout, New York
 
New York state can present quite a challenge geographically when trying to cover from Montauk Point on Long Island to Niagara Falls or from Staten Island to Watertown. As Prep Baseball Report-New York continues to gain momentum our goal is to leave no stone unturned. Today we cross over state lines down I-287 to check in on NY players who reside within the state but have taken their prep careers to Northern New Jersey. 
 
Seniors John Greely (Stony Point, NY) and Frank Nigro (Stony Point, NY) are basically neighbors in the town of Stony Point, located in Rockland County but their school days differ as both hit the road in the morning to their respective high schools. For Greeley, a 6-foot-1 190-pounds RHP/SS, it's off to St. Joseph's regional in Montvale, NJ. St. Joe's carries a rich baseball history with alums that include former MLB catcher John Flaherty and current Atlanta Braves infielder, Tommy La Stella. With four former players currently in the minors, including 2013 1st round pick Rob Kaminsky, the baseball pedigree runs deep. "The athletics are very competitive and St. Joes gives you all the support to get school work done with it," states Greely.  Greeley's future looks bright as he just inked with D-I George Washington University. The two-way player hopes for an opportunity to present both skill sets this fall, but with a fastball that sits in the upper 80's, touching 90, the Colonials may choose to keep him on the bump. Either way Greely is looking forward to next fall, "George Washington is known to be a great school and a great baseball program. Also I love the coaches there and they have a great mindset. The campus is also beautiful."
 
For Nigro, a catcher for rival Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, NJ, he's out the door at 6:40am each morning for his 30 minute commute. Bosco, as most people are aware locally and on a national level, are a football powerhouse but when it comes to baseball, they're no slouches either. The 2014 Bergen County Champs have had 9 players drafted since 2002 and for Nigro is was a family member that led him to become part of the Ironmen tradition. "I chose Don Bosco because of academics and and the competitiveness on the athletic side. I was introduced to Don Bosco by my Uncle, who graduated in 1984". Nigro's talents will be heading to NCAA D-II Wilmington University in Delaware next fall. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounds catcher with a pop time in the 1.9-2.0 range is looking forward to making a splash for the Wildcats who went 35-11 in 2014.
 
These players are not alone though. Both have teammates from neighboring Orange County, more specifically Montgomery, NY. Cullen Dana (Montgomery, NY), a recent signee with Seton Hall University and Montgomery resident, presents a physical force peering in from the mound. At 6-foot-5, 215-pounds, Dana is one of Don Bosco Preps big arms that they hope to ride in defense of their Bergen County Championships. Back over a St. Joes, Austin Bodrato  (Montgomery, NY)stands 6-foot-2, 180-pounds who just recently verbally committed to the University of Florida. The 2016 grad, with a fastball that reaches 91 mph loves the surprise that he gets from people who realize he's from New York. " I love representing NY when at school, people from Jersey think I'm from here as well just because I go to St. Joes." The little town in Orange County has produced three big time arms recently (the 3rd member of the trio would be RHP James Karinchak of Valley Central HS, now a freshman Bryant).  Whatever is in the water in Montgomery it sure helps produce power arms as 2 time MLB All-Star pitcher Matt Morris (also a Seton Hall Product) and former Cardinal now Cub reliever Jason Motte were both Valley Central High School Products. 

The lower Hudson Valley to NYC possesses plenty of talent and in the "Quad State" area of NY, NJ, CT and PA you will find out of state players at private schools or prep schools looking to better themselves on and off the field. Keep a look out for these players as they contest for the 2015 NJ state title and the coveted Bergen County Championships. Despite putting on a show on the North Jersey diamonds this spring these players are true to their New York roots and also a big part of the Northeast's surge in producing quality, top level talent

From the Empire State to the Garden State

+ RHP/SS John Greeley (Stony Point, NY). St. Joseph's Regional. 2015 Grad and George Washington commit.
+ C Frank Nigro (Stony Point, NY). Don Bosco Prep. 2015 Grad and University of Wilmington commit.
+ LHP Cullen Dana (Montgomery, NY). Don Bosco Prep. 2015 Grad and Seton Hall University commit.
+ RHP Austin Bodrato (Montgomery, NY). St. Joseph's Regional. 2016 Grad and University of Florida verbal.

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