Prep insider: Projected second basemen for New England teams

Canterbury second baseman Teddy Hauser is committed to Hobart College. (Canterbury Athletics)

As another prep school baseball season is set to begin, the outlook for 2023 appears quite promising. Some of last year’s top second basemen have moved on to the college ranks. However, the cupboards are far from bare.

Plenty of programs are again well stocked with talent across the diamond this year.

New England Baseball Journal is again providing a breakdown of top prep players at each position. This weekly series continues with the top second basemen hailing from the Northeast.

Here’s a look at the top second basemen for each prep program, with commentary from their respective coaches.

Prep Preview Series

Top right-handers for each program
Top left-handers for each program
Top catchers for each program
Top first basemen for each program

Austin Prep

Jake Harring ’24

“Jake is a proven elite high school talent,” said Cougars coach Jon Pollard. “Not only a very talented player, but he has an exceptional understanding of the game. Jake is a left-handed hitting infielder and is a dynamic offensive player well advanced beyond his age in regard to bat-to-ball skills, count awareness, plate presence, ability to hit to all fields, and situational hitting abilities. He is very high academically. Jake is the type of player who can step in and make an immediate impact at the country’s most competitive colleges and universities.”

Avon Old Farms

Van Liott ’24

“Van shows an impressive combination of power and speed,” Winged Beavers coach Rob Dowling said. “His measurables are excellent as well in terms of exit velocity, arm speed, and running times. He has been impressive during the offseason and has worked hard to be an excellent player and attractive college prospect.”

Bridgton Academy

Braeden Watson (Postgraduate)
Commitment: City College of New York

“Braeden is a long, athletic infielder who also sees time in the outfield,” said Wolverines coach Aaron Izaryk. “He brings plus speed to the lineup, and a quality approach to his at-bats each time he steps to the plate.”

Scott Hurley (Postgraduate)
Commitment: Anna Maria College

“Scott is a versatile infielder who is a plus defender,” Izaryk said. “He contributed offensively this fall, but his defense was always counted on. He made several special plays in the fall and has made significant gains in the weight room this offseason.”

Brunswick School

Wim Nook ’25

“Wim is a tough middle infielder,” Bruins coach Johnny Montanez said. “He is an extremely gritty competitor who makes the hard plays look routine. A second-year varsity player, Wim will be asked to be a major piece of the puzzle here.”   

Buckingham, Browne & Nichols

Daniel Talacci ’23
Commitment: Union College

“Daniel is a very athletic and strong infielder and catcher who should primarily lock down second base for us,” said Knights coach Craig McLaughlin.  “In addition, he is a menace on the bases with athleticism and high baseball IQ. Daniel also plays hockey for BB&N.”

Canterbury School

Teddy Hauser ’23
Commitment: Hobart College

“Teddy is a returning starter who played in the WNEPBL Underclass All-Star Game last year,” Saints coach Todd Mathewson said. “He was recently elected as a team captain and continues to be the most outgoing member of our team. He is a versatile defender and has developed tremendously as a hitter this past year. Teddy has worked hard in the weight room and on his foot speed and lateral quickness as a second baseman.”

Cushing Academy

Emerson Marshall ’24

“Emerson joins us this year as a two-sport varsity athlete (also plays ice hockey),” said Penguins coach Ryan Suchanek. “He will make an immediate impact as he will bolster the middle of the diamond and be a threat at the plate and on the base paths.”

Charlie Sakhat ’24

“Charlie brings versatility to play multiple infield positions,” Suchanek said. “He will add depth and experience to the group both in the field and at the plate.”

Governor’s Academy

Mikey Cammarota ’24

“Mikey anchored the keystone the past two years with consistent defense and strong on-base/situational skills in the back half of our lineup,” said Govs coach James Cramphin. “He has gained good strength this offseason and looks to take his offensive profile to the next level this spring. He will look to fend off competition for playing time. Mikey will play for the Maine Lightning this summer. 

Scotty Odoardi ’24

“Scotty is another slick-fielding second basemen who has dedicated himself to diet and strength in the offseason and packed on 12 pounds of muscle in a bid for more playing time and possibly a starting role,” Cramphin said. “He will play for Kiké Calero’s Los Caballos this summer.

Casey Heney ’25

“Casey seemingly grows an inch every week and is currently 6-foot-4,” said Cramphin. “He is an excellent athlete, and his easy-going demeanor hides a killer competitive spirit. I would not count Casey out of the competition for a starting role in our infield. Also an intriguing pitching prospect, Casey will play for the New England Expos this summer.”

Greenwich Country Day

Andrew Thompson ’23

“Andrew is a seasoned player who is solid defensively and has been improving each year at the plate,” Tigers coach Tom Hart said. “He will be our primary second baseman and see some time at shortstop. This year should prove to be a breakout season for him.”

Ray Perez ’25

“Ray has been a utility player and part of the varsity program since eighth grade,” said Hart. “He is a gritty player, and we are excited to see him play this spring after all of his hard work in the offseason.”

Hamden Hall

Carlos Reyes ’24

“Carlos transferred into Hamden Hall this year by way of Notre Dame (Conn.) High,” Hornets coach Brad Chernovetz. “He has quick hands and will help make us strong up the middle. Offensively, Carlos is a gap-to-gap hitter. He will need to get on early in the lineup and use his speed to make things happen.”

Hopkins School

Rocco DeMaio III ’26

“Rocco will start at second base and could slide to the left side of the infield depending on who is on the mound,” said Hilltoppers coach Rocco DeMaio. “He is a three-sport athlete who will bat at the top of the lineup and be a threat on the base paths. He plays with lots of excitement and energy, and should log some innings on the mound as well.”

Lawrence Academy

Matt Morin ’23

“Matt has been an integral member of our squad since his sophomore year and a big part of our championship run last season,” said Spartans coach Chris Margraf. “He will be making the transition from the outfield to second base on defense while manning our leadoff spot on offense. He is a great contact hitter who gets on base. Matt plays for Rt. 2 Baseball in the summer.”

Sam Campbell ’25

“Sam earned a role on our varsity squad as a ninth-grader last season,” Margraf said. “He’s big and strong for his age. He has excellent arm strength with good pop in his bat. We are expecting Sam to be a fixture in our middle infield this season. He played for Rt. 2 Baseball in the summer.

Marianapolis Prep

Ethan Kalmin ’23

“Ethan is one of our co-captains and once again will be called upon for his leadership at the top of our lineup,” Golden Knights coach Nick Buoniconti said. “He is a tough out to get, constantly getting on base by hitting the ball from chalk to chalk. We are looking forward to seeing him once again in that leadoff position.”

Peyton Manyak ’24

“Peyton is new to the Golden Knights program, and we are excited to have him with us this year,” said Buoniconti. “His quick hands and quick feet will make a contender for seeing time at second base.”

Milton Academy

Curt Heath ’24

“Curt was new to our school last year and immediately stepped in and started at second base,” Mustangs coach Matt Petherick said. “He is a tough, hard-nosed player who has improved his double-play turns and his footwork over the past year. He also had a great year at the plate for us, hitting in the middle of the order and consistently coming up with big hits. Curt is a really good kid and a very hard worker.”

Phillips Andover

Larry Hotaling ’24

“Larry is a solid all-around player, with good hands, and great footwork,” said Big Blue coach Chris Powers. “He is a leader on the field and in the classroom.” 

Phillips Exeter

Ethan Klein ’23

“Ethan is someone who has paid his dues and worked hard this winter to prepare himself to play varsity baseball,” said Big Red coach Tim Mitropoulos. “He is a high-character kid who will do what he can to help the team win.” 

Michael Salvatore ’23

“Michael got some time last spring in the varsity infield and will look to play more this spring,” Mitropoulos. “He is a terrific competitor who will be a tough out and do the little things to help us win games.”

Pingree School

Danny Alepa ’23

“For the third year in a row, Danny will anchor second base,” said Highlanders coach Luke Wamboldt. “He is an outstanding athlete and has one of the best gloves I have seen. In two full seasons, he has committed just one error at second base. Offensively, Danny helps turn our lineup over, typically providing high on-base numbers from the 9-spot. Danny is a co-captain in 2023, and he was a top contributor and co-captain for our varsity soccer program as well.”

Tejas Prakash ’24

“Tejas is an excellent second baseman who will also see regular time for Pingree in the outfield,” Wamboldt noted. “He is an athletic, smooth infielder who provides speed on the bases and projects to hit near the top of our lineup.”

Portsmouth Abbey

AJ Grilli ’23

“AJ is a returning starter and versatile athlete who also can play outfield and pitch,” Ravens coach Derek Gittus said. “He finished third on the team in RBIs last year and fourth in runs scored. AJ also did not give up an earned run in six innings of work on the mound.”  

Putnam Science Academy

Derek La Riva ’23

“Derek is a utility infielder that can handle multiple positions,” said Mustangs coach Bob Hetu. “This will keep him in the lineup. Derek should contribute in the top of the batting order. He is a high IQ player with very good offensive skills.” 

Eric Ruan ’24

“Eric is a hard-working infielder,” Hetu said. “He continues to improve in the field and at the plate. It’s very important that he continues the development that he has shown over the fall and winter.”

Esteban Caraballo ’25

“Esteban is a very athletic infielder with great speed,” said Hetu. “He is a young player with lots of potential as he develops.”

Roxbury Latin

Patrick Schultz ’23
Commitment: Brandeis University

“Patrick has smooth hands and great feet in the field,” Foxes coach Dave Cataruzolo said. “He will be a fixture at the top of our lineup again this year. Patrick is an excellent situational hitter and can provide some pop from the left side of the plate.”

Salisbury School

John Patrick ’23

“Johnny will play some second base this spring and also fill a utility role,” said Crimson Knights coach Kevin Huber. “He can catch and play all four infield positions, making him an invaluable team player.”

Mack Brensilver ’26

“Mack is a twitchy high-energy athlete that had a solid off-season,” Huber said. “Mack will look to increase his baseball IQ and continue to get better. He will be a future contributor to the program.”

St.  Luke’s School

Ethan Righter ’23
Commitment: Hamilton College

“Ethan was a First Team All-FAA and Second Team All-New England selection in 2022,” Storm coach Sam Colon said. “Last season, he batted .409, with a .565 OBP and a .614 slugging percentage, and had an OPS of 1.178. Ethan collected eight RBI and scored 15 runs.”

St. Mark’s School

Chuckie Cappello ’24

“Chuckie won the job at second base his sophomore year and played at a high level for us,” said Lions coach Rob Calagione. “Offensively, he is a gap-to-gap hitter. Last season, he finished third on the team in runs driven in. Chuckie has worked really hard in the weight room this off-season, and I expect him to make a significant jump in his development. Chuckie plays for GBG in the summer.” 

St. Paul’s School

Sam Ekstrand ’24

“Sam stands out for his knowledge of the game and his baseball instincts,” said Pelicans coach Parker Chase. “He might be the best fielding second baseman we’ve had here at St. Paul’s. Sam is a baseball junkie who has mastered all of the feeds and pivots. A tough out at the plate, he is also an outstanding base-runner. Sam and his brother, Will ‘24, will give us a great double-play combo for the next couple years.”

Tabor Academy

Brayden Bennett ’24

“Brayden is new to the Seawolves coming to us from Bishop Stang (Mass.) High,” said Seawolves assistant coach Matt Karis. “He is a versatile athlete who shows good instincts in the infield and the ability to spray the ball all over the field. With good hands and a good first step, Brayden has a chance to compete for a middle infield spot as well as helping contribute on the mound.”

Ben Prince ’25

“Ben is another transfer and is new to the Seawolves program (coming over from Saint Philomena School in R.I.),” Karis said. “He is a smooth infielder with good hands and speed, and is someone that we will be looking hard at to contribute right away and grow into a solid role this year and beyond.”

Chris Klueber ’25

“Chris showed great promise in his first appearance down on the mound in Florida, and he will also be battling for a spot in the infield,” said Karis. “Chris is joining us from Bourne (Mass.) High. He is a good athlete with a high baseball IQ who loves to compete.”

Mike Radek ’25

“Mikey is a returning player for the Seawolves and someone who we look to make a major jump this year,” Karis said. “He got solid experience on the left side and on the mound as a true freshman. Mike is an athlete with an aggressive approach at the plate.”

Taft School

Luke Froemming ’23

“Luke will find himself in a utility role with a lot of innings at second base,” Rhinos coach Mike Mastrocola said. “He is a polished hitter who will cause issues for our opponents on the base paths.”

Cooper Tantraporn ’25

“Cooper is a key member of our deep and talented 2025 class,” noted Mastrocola. “He will be in the mix this season as a second baseman and as a pitcher. He has very strong fundamentals and will benefit from continued strength training.”

Thayer Academy

Charlie Essex ’25

“Charlie is poised to start at second base for us this year after being a reserve player as a freshman,” Tigers coach James Pierce said. “He has a good glove and is ready to be a starter defensively. Charlie had a good 2022 summer for the US9 Prospects and showed that he is capable of swinging a good bat with some pop.”

Trinity-Pawling

Kyle West (Postgraduate)
Commitment: Army West Point (football)

“Kyle is an excellent athlete that is heading to West Point to play football,” said Pride coach Cody Doyle. “He will likely be a utility player that we can move all around the field. He has a nice, short swing and consistently finds the barrel. His athleticism allows him to be a plus defender at multiple positions.”

Westminster School 

Alex Mihailovich ’25
Commitment: Brown University

“Alex is poised to make a significant jump from his freshman year to his sophomore campaign,” said Martlets coach Tyler Wosleger. “His swing has looked great this offseason, and the defense is much improved. He is as hard of a worker as I have ever coached and will be given opportunities this year at second base.”

Williston Northampton

Quinn McDonald ’23
Commitment: Skidmore College

“Quinn is a three-year starter at second base,” Wildcats coach Matt Sawyer said. “He possesses plus power from the left-hand side of the plate. He launched two triples in his first two games in Florida. Quinn will be a middle-of-the-lineup presence this season.”

Winchendon School

Jake Hadju ’24
Commitment: Elon University

“Jake is a junior and one of the best juniors in the state,” said Winchendon coach John Toffey. “He has very good bat-to-ball skills, hits to all fields well, runs the bases well, and is a plus defender. Jake can play any position defensively and will most likely play second base for us. At the plate, he will hit in the top of the order. He is a true baseball player, with solid tools across the board. Jake is one of the rare players who mixes high-level tools with a well above average knowledge of the game.”