After a banner year in 2007, optimism was high for 2008 for Gotham’s
Division I baseball programs. But despite an improved showing in the
post-season by St. John’s, it was a down season in Gotham, as both
Monmouth and Army missed post-season, despite winning regular season
championships. Several high-profile players moved on at the end of
2007, but several returned for another go in 2008. Did they shine, or
did they struggle? It was a mixed bag.
So, who was the best, the brightest, the most effective of Gotham Baseball’s Class of 2008?
(EDS Note: Remember – the All Gotham Team is based on production on the
field, not future potential to professional baseball. While level of
competition was part of the equation, excellence was the primary
driving force.) - CA
Starting Pitcher: Tom Davis (Fordham) 9-2, 1.90 ERA
Fordham was supposed to be, along with UNC-Charlotte, the class of the
Atlantic 10. Instead the Rams finished under .500 in conference play,
missing the A-10 post-season tournament.
The one person you could not blame for any of Fordham’s woes was Davis
(pictured, right), who was the rock in the Fordham rotation all season
long. In 90 innings, Davis limited opposing hitters to a .238 batting
average, while fanning 62 hitters. Davis had one complete game in 13
starts, and was part of two combined shutouts on the season.
Davis was selected by the Padres in the 16th round of the June draft.
Starting Pitcher: George Brown (St. John’s) 9-1, 2.91 ERA
Everyone knew that the Red Storm’s pitching was supposed to lead the
team to success this season, and it did. No one was expecting Brown to
win his first nine decisions and make the final cut-down for the Dick
Howser Award, given to the most outstanding player in the country.
But the senior left hander used his knowledge of pitching to do just
that, overshadowing highly acclaimed teammate Scott Barnes and taking
over the ace role on the Red Storm staff. In 89.2 innings, Brown
allowed 85 hits, while striking out 59. A beneficiary of solid defense
from his mates, Brown allowed just three unearned runs in 14 starts.
Brown was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 27th round in the draft.
Starting Pitcher: Brad Brach (Monmouth) 8-2, 3.36 ERA
Brach has been one of the most highly decorated players in Gotham
College Baseball history, being named to two pre-season teams, and two
post-season teams. Expected to lead Monmouth back to the NCAA
tournament, he did his part, but the Hawks fell short in the Northeast
Conference tournament, ending his collegiate career earlier than
expected.
Still, Brach, who had two complete games and a shutout on the season,
proved to be one of the top pitchers in the East, and was selected in
the 42nd round by the San Diego Padres.
Starting Pitcher: Joe Testa (Wagner) 7-5, 2.08 ERA
Testa has been one of the toughest pitchers in the areas for years,
just snake-bitten by bad luck and weak Wagner teams. The Seahawks
improved, Testa was even better than ever, and success came to Staten
Island.
In 15 appearances, Testa had four complete games, and held opposing
hitters to a .223 batting average in 91 innings, striking out 80.
During a pre-season poll, NEC coaches voted Testa the pitcher the least
wanted to face, and his 2.08 ERA shows why.
Testa joins former teammates Andrew Bailey, Joe DiGeronimo and Mike
McTameney in pro ball, signing a free agent contract with the Minnesota
Twins.
Closer: Colin Lynch (St. John’s) 4-1 3.58 ERA 13 saves
Lynch has been a standout the past two seasons for the Red Storm, and
is eligible to come back for his senior season, despite being a 40th
round draft choice of the Padres. Lynch was a key reason for the Red
Storm’s success in the Big East, and despite a rough Big East
tournament for the Johnnies, bounced back with a strong NCAA tournament.
Lynch’s 13 saves led Gotham closers, and the hard-throwing compact right hander struck out 23 in 27.2 innings.
Honorable Mention: Justin Esposito, Monmouth; Andrew Huebner, Wagner.
Catcher: Jack Murphy (Princeton) .391, 8 , 40
The super sophomore was the potent bat in the middle of the Tigers
lineup in 2008, slugging eight home runs with, 11 doubles, a triple and
98 total bases. Outstanding defensively, Murphy looks to be a serious
professional prospect for the 2009 draft.
Murphy had an on-base percentage of .476, having drawn 26 walks and
being hit once by a pitch. Murphy struck out only 23 times on the
season, showing a keen eye and ability to make contact while providing
power to the Princeton offense.
Honorable Mention: Chris Simmons, Army; Chris Affinito, Seton Hall
First Base: Sean Olson (Rider) .327, 11 52
Olson, who also catches for the MAAC Tournament champions, was the
power source behind Rider’s improbable tournament run. With a .975 OPS,
Olson proved to be one of the area’s top sluggers.
Honorable Mention: Jaren Matthews, Rutgers; Kevin McKague, Army; Andy Meyers, Monmouth; Vin Avella, Wagner
Second Base: Henry Perkins (Columbia) .353 3 34
Perkins, who also pitched for the Ivy League champions, was the MVP as
Columbia went to the NCAA tournament. Stealing 20 bases in 22 attempts,
Perkins provided a spark at the top of the Columbia order, while
providing solid defense at second base.
Honorable Mention: Eric Reese, Fordham
Shortstop: Kyle Higgins (Monmouth) .389 2 38
With Rutgers’ Todd Frazier gone, the underrated Higgins finally gets
his recognition as a standout. Batting .389, Higgins continued his run
as a top leadoff hitter for the Hawks, stealing 24 bases in 30 at bats.
His 224 career hits ties him for third all-time in Monmouth history,
and his 89 hits in 2008 tied the school record for most hits in a
season, and ranks in the top 10 in several offensive categories.
Higgins was a 31st round selection of the Texas Rangers.
Honorable Mention: Rich Goulian, Fordham; Clint Moore, Army
Third Base: Spencer Lucian (Princeton) ..425 4 34
A standout at Princeton throughout his career, the versatile Lucian was
under the radar coming into his senior season, but a .425 batting
average changed that – in a hurry. Lucian, who has also played the
outfield and second base while at Princeton, was selected in 31st round
by the Yankees, who have moved him to second base.
For the Tigers Lucian had the second highest batting average in school
history, while his 62 hits was good for the sixth-most in school
history.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Terry, Monmouth; John Delaney, Quinnipiac;
Outfield: Cole White (Army) .373 8 30
If things went according to plan, White would have been the Utility
Player on this team, not an outfielder. But a fluke injury to his
non-pitching shoulder caused White to miss 9 games, and then struggle
off the mound for most of the season.
A gamer, White bounced back with a stellar effort against Navy, a
complete game one-hitter, as Army defeated the Middies 2-1 in eight
innings. And his season-ending loss was hardly his fault, as he allowed
one run in eight innings – but the Black Knights were unable to score,
losing 1-0.
Overall on the mound, though, White suffered through a 2-6 season. At
the plate, White took care of business, batting .373, and setting
career marks at West Point for home runs, and proving to be one of the
best all-around players in the history of the program.
White was drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates in 42nd round, as an
outfielder, and was recalled back to West Point in the aftermath of the
Caleb Campbell decision.
Outfield: Kevin Nieto (Manhattan) .383 2 47
Nieto uses his speed effectively at the top of the Manhattan order.
Just a sophomore, and already the school’s all-time leader in triples
for a career (10) and season (6), Nieto showed pop in his bat this
season. Kevin’s 22 extra base hits (14 doubles) made him the leader in
slugging percentage (.592) as well as batting average.
Nieto was a perfect 21-for-21 in stolen base attempts during the
season, also a team high for a running Jaspers team that 74 bases
during the year. Nieto was named All MAAC for his efforts, as well as
receiving a second team All ECAC nod.
Outfield: Frank DiMasi (Long Island University) .346 6 49
The Blackbirds junior outfielder flew under the rador all season, but
in the final analysis, had one of the best seasons in Gotham. DiMasi
won the triple crown at LIU, while stealing 15 bases in 21 attempts.
His .542 slugging percentage was also a team high, and his .421 on-base
percentage was second amongst Blackbird players.
DiMasi was a first team All Northeast Conference selection in 2008.
Honorable Mention: Nick Cox, Columbia; Brian Kemp; St. John’s
Designated Hitter: Nick Pulsonetti (Monmouth)
The freshman took over the designated hitter role for the Hawks early
in the season and took command slugging 11 home runs and driving in 48
runs, both team highs, in just 45 games.
Pulsonetti finished the season with a .323 batting average (third on
the team) and a team-high .629 slugging percentage. He was named first
team All Northeast Conference, as well as a Freshman All America by
Ping! Baseball (honorable mention) as well as being named to the
Louisville Slugger team as well.
Honorable Mention: Michael Stephan, Stony Brook; Peter Kummerfeldt, Quinnipiac.
Hayes takes over the utility spot from White, and did it in style,
appearing at four positions defensively (RF, CF, SS, 2B) plus
performing as the Broncs closer, and was a key figure in their
surprising MAAC tournament championship. The everyday lead-off hitter
for Rider the past two seasons, Hayes is a standout wherever he appears
on the field.
After a banner year in 2007, optimism was high for 2008 for Gotham’s
Division I baseball programs. But despite an improved showing in the
post-season by St. John’s, it was a down season in Gotham, as both
Monmouth and Army missed post-season, despite winning regular season
championships. Several high-profile players moved on at the end of
2007, but several returned for another go in 2008. Did they shine, or
did they struggle? It was a mixed bag.