CBA 2021 Baseball Preview

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The Class A North division is usually at its best when CBA is at its best, but that may not be the case this year. With A North boasting some very good teams, CBA might have less margin for error than usual simply because of the lack of experience on the team. Not many teams have varsity experience, but few are as young as CBA is going to be throughout its starting lineup. With opening day approaching, CBA’s starting lineup of position players will have no more than one senior, with Joe Marino a possibility to play first base.

Marino and classmate Henry Escandon will be the two impact seniors – both on the pitching staff and with Marino in the lineup either at first or as the designated hitter. When Marino is the DH, CBA will not have a senior out in the field, with top pitcher Colin Reilly playing some first base and fellow junior Alexey Stout joining him on the right side at second base. The left side is looking like a pair of sophomores in shortstop Harrison Campi and third baseman Nick Harnisch.

The rest of the lineup is also juniors, with Joe Figliolino at catcher and Jack Frankovic in centerfield to fortify the middle of the diamond and Gavin Kus, Liam Sweeney and Jack Greenspan the three corner outfield options. Frankovic will also be a big arm on the staff for CBA, which entered last spring ready to play Frankovic at third base before he found a new home in center.

CBA junior Jack Frankovic. (Photo by Steve Meyer)

If CBA makes a run at a division title with a young team, it will be a deep pitching staff that leads the way. Reilly – whose brother, Pat, is off to a strong start at Vanderbilt after graduating last spring – will be an x-factor heading into the same junior season in which his brother broke out, but the two seniors, Frankovic, Mike Kelly and sophomores Luke Roccesano and Antony DeJohn give coach Marty Kenney Jr. – finally ready to coach his first game after succeeding his legendary father as skipper – lots of quality options.

CBA at a Glance

Head Coach: Marty Kenny Jr., first season
Key Losses: Pat Reilly (RHP/1B), Braedin Hunt (RHP/OF/1B), Mason Wolf (C), Jason Arnott (SS), Declan Hoverter (RHP/2B), Ben Settino (CF), Joe Tutrone (C), Matt Murray (UTIL)

Around the Diamond (Returning 2019 starters in bold with available stats)

Catcher: Joe Figliolino, Jr.

First Base: Colin Reilly, Jr.

Second Base: Alexey Stout, Jr.

Shortstop: Harrison Campi, So.

Third Base: Nick Harnisch, So.

Leftfield: Liam Sweeney, Jr.; Jack Greenspan, Sr.

Centerfield: Jack Frankovic, Jr.

Rightfield: Gavin Kus, Jr.

DH: Joe Marini (Sr., 1B)

Other Hitters

Greg Wirin (Jr., C)