In his 25th season coaching Baldwin’s varsity baseball program, Frank Esposito has just about seen it all.
Last week, Esposito believes he saw the team to beat in Nassau Class AA this season up close and personal as the Bruins were swept by Kennedy in the Conference AA-3 opening series.
“I told the kids it can only get better from here,” Esposito said. “It was good to face that level of play early in the season. Kennedy made the county finals last year and brought just about everyone back. Ninety-nine percent that’s the best team we’re going to see all season.”
Esposito began coaching the Bruins in 1999 and except for the Covid-canceled 2020 campaign, has enjoyed every minute of it. “I’m still enjoying it,” he said. “Our staffs have been great and the kids are always great. It’s fun working with everyone.”
The Bruins, 8-13 last season, are led by seniors Jayden Peralta, Ryan Jazylo and Christopher Marano.
Peralta is a catcher and relief pitcher who played some left field a year ago. He’ll bat fifth or sixth and be the primary receiver behind the plate. “He puts a lot of work in and his arm is his biggest asset,” Esposito said. “He can erase runners on the bases and stop them from even thinking of stealing.”
Jazylo plays shortstop and is one of Baldwin’s starting pitchers. He sparks the offense from the leadoff spot as well. “He does a lot for us,” Esposito said. “He’s a nice leadoff hitter who makes contact, gets on base and brings good speed. At shortstop he’s as good as anyone out there, and he throws a pretty good fastball with a nice breaking pitch.”
Marano is a pitcher with an electric fastball, the coach noted, and will spend non-throwing days at third base or shortstop. He’s also batting right behind Jazylo. “Chris has deceptive speed on the mound and pitched well last season” Esposito said. “He’s a scrappy kid. At the plate he’s not going to hit with a ton of power, but he’s a good hitter who can find holes in the defense.”
Junior Ryan Healey, who helped the football team to a successful first season on the new turf field, won’t be able to help the pitching staff as projected but has become a big piece at first base. “He’s doing very well at first and it was a spot we needed to fill,” Esposito said. “He also hits with power.”
The third spot in the rotation will be by committee, Esposito said, with juniors Liam Mugford and Ryan Nunez, sophomore Dayview Devargas and freshman Hanley Rodriguez all in the mix. Mugford plays outfield and Nunez third base.
Sophomore Gabriel Sanchez tops the depth chart at second base, with freshman Amari Taylor getting a look there as well. Eighth grader Chayce Jones impressed during the offseason and could contribute sooner as opposed to later.
“It’s a tough conference,” Esposito said. “Not only with Kennedy but Calhoun and Mepham are always strong and Long Beach made a deep playoff run last year.”
