2017 All-Queens Baseball All-Stars

By Laura Amato

Queens didn’t crown any baseball champions this spring, but that hardly means there wasn’t talent in the borough.

In fact, Queens notched three MLB draftees this spring: McClancy’s Quentin Holmes and Charlie Neuweiler and Bayside’s Daniel Alfonzo. Despite the lack of championship hardware, there was still plenty of success across the area.

Cardozo led the charge in the PSAL AAA, clinching a division title, while Bayside also earned a postseason berth after moving up from AA competition.

The Academy of American Studies came up just short of a AA title, falling to Petrides in extra innings, while Metropolitan Campus also dropped its title tilt against South Bronx in the A matchup.

McClancy led the charge in the Catholic League, while Holy Cross also notched an appearance in the intersectional tournament.

Of course none of that would have been possible without the players. Here are the best of the best:

Player of the Year:

Charlie Neuweiler, Sr., Monsignor McClancy

Coach of the Year:

William Carey Jr., Academy of American Studies

The Eagles were just one run away from clinching a city championship, but Cary couldn’t be anything except proud of his team this season.

The squad, which went 7-8 in 2015, posted a 13-3 record during the regular season this year and knows the future is bright after a title-game appearance.

FIRST TEAM

Pitcher: Patrick Morrissey, Sr., Holy Cross

The 6-foot-4 standout was the unquestioned leader of the Holy Cross roster and led the Knights to a CHSAA Class AA quarterfinals appearance – the team’s best finish in over a decade.

He recorded a 7-3 record on the mound, giving up just seven earned runs while striking out 87 batters in 52.2 innings pitched. Morrissey, who will head to St. Thomas Aquinas next year, also hit .361 with 25 RBI.

Pitcher: Glubis Romero, Sr., Construction

The top pitcher on the Red Hawks’ roster this year, Romero posted a 4-2 record during the season with one save and a 2.12 ERA. He racked up 50 strikeouts in 39 total innings, allowing 10 earned runs and 26 hits.

Pitcher: Salvatore Ferro,Sr., St. Francis Prep

An unexpected calming presence on an up-and-down Terriers roster this spring, Ferro was a much-needed leader on and off the mound for the squad. He mixed a combination of hard-to-hit pitches with his own strong bat, setting the tone for Prep throughout the season.

Infield: Michael Coletta, Sr., Cardozo

The multi-year standout did a bit of everything for the Judges this year, as the team clinched a PSAL Queens AAA Eastern division title. Coletta hit .509 with 23 RBI, 13 doubles and a team-best 1.43 OPS. He also worked 11 walks and connected on 28 hits total.Coletta will head to Hill College next season.

Infield: Ryan Neuweiler, Sr., Monsignor McClancy

A steady defensive presence in the infield for the Crusaders, Neuweiler was a wall at shortstop. He made just three errors in 29 games this season and his throws to first were nearly clockwork. The LIU Brooklyn-bound senior also hit his stride at the plate, where he hit .404 with three home runs, 23 RBI and 20 runs scored.

Infield: Daniel Alfonzo, Sr., Bayside

The Commodores leader on and off the field, Alfonzo helped Bayside transition to AAA competition after clinching the AA crown in 2016. He hit .471 with six doubles and three home runs, 16 RBI and notched an impressive .804 slugging percentage. Alfonzo, whose father Edgardo is currently the skipper of the Brooklyn Cyclones, was selected by the Mets late in this year’s draft, but is opting to head to Adelphi next season.

Infield: Ryan O’Hagan, Jr., Holy Cross

An iron man for the Knights this spring, O’Hagan played every inning of every game at first base and committed just one error in 188 changes. He hit .359 with four doubles, 15 RBI and 18 runs scored, notching a .425 on-base percentage and a .410 slugging percentage as well. O’Hagan was also a finalist for the CHSAA player of the year.

Outfield: Quentin Holmes, Sr., Monsignor McClancy

The multi-year standout capped off his final high school season in fashion, selected by the Indians in the second round of the MLB draft. Holmes was once again dominant with McClancy this season, hitting .411 with seven home runs, seven triples and 33 RBI. It was his speed, however, that separated him from the rest of the pack. Holmes notched 22 stolen bases this year, adding to his school-record 85.

Outfield: John Herring, Sr., Archbishop Molloy

Herring was a strong presence at the plate for the Stanners this season, hitting .317 with 17 RBI and 21 stolen bases. The lefty played just about everywhere, but did his best work in the outfield, sparked by a strong arm and quick feet. Herring, who was also named to the Mayor’s Cup roster, will head to the University of Massachusetts next year.

Designated Hitter: Julian Schwarz, Sr., Academy of American Studies

The long-time leader of the team, Schwarz helped American Studies to a PSAL AA championship berth this season. He did a bit of everything, including pitching seven innings in the title game, but Schwarz was most dangerous at the plate. He hit a team-best .533 during the regular season with 11 extra-base hits and 21 RBI. He struck out just twice this spring.

Utility: Malik Miller, Sr., Cardozo

A do-everything player for ‘Dozo this spring, Miller excelled at just about every position he played in. He hit .421 during the regular season with a .633 on-base percentage, driving in 12 runs and working 14 walks.

Miller also pitched 35 innings, striking out 43 and giving up just 10 earned runs. In two playoff games this year, Miller also connected on four hits in five at-bats.

Catcher: Kyle Schaefer, Jr., Monsignor McClancy

The junior got better as the season went on this spring, settling into a rhythm behind the plate and showing some serious arm strength.

He threw out 70 percent of base-stealers and was a wall at home for the Crusaders. Schaefer’s best work, however, came in the batter’s box, where he hit .336 with 10 extra-base hits, 17 RBI and nine walks.

Honorable Mention

Pitcher: Ruben Jimenez, Sr., Archbishop Molloy

Pitcher: Matthew Miller, Jr, Cardozo

Pitcher: Dimitri Papzoglou, Sr., Bayside

Infield: Jaylen Palmer, Jr., Holy Cross

Infield: Elvis Torres Devargas, Sr., John Bowne

Infield: Isaiah Mirabal, Sr., Cardozo

Infield: Brandon Mateo, Jr., John Adams

Infield: Ryan Morales, Sr., Metropolitan

Outfield: Justin Kaplan, Jr., The Scholars Academy

Outfield: Brandon Krol, So., The Scholars Academy

Outfield: Jalen Miller, Jr., Flushing