Watch list: Top first basemen among New England prep school prospects

Nobles first baseman Marc Willi is committed to the University of Michigan. (Courtesy photo)

As we continue in our series of prep players to watch for 2021, New England Baseball Journal is focusing on first basemen.

This list is laden with future college players and some of the top prospects throughout the region. “Middle-of-the-order bat” seems to be a common theme in the feedback we’ve received from coaches.

NEBJ spoke with preparatory school coaches to get their feedback in regards to some of the top first basemen from their respective programs who are projected to be in the lineup this spring in New England.

Take a look at the other position breakdowns here.

NEBJ Prep Preview Series

Top RHP prospects at New England prep schools
Top LHP prospects at New England prep schools
Top catcher prospects at New England prep schools

Belmont Hill School

Christian O’Brien, Senior

A Medford, Mass., native, O’Brien enrolled at Belmont Hill last year. He is a tall first baseman, standing 6-foot-2, 190 pounds. O’Brien is committed to Bowdoin. “Christian pounds it at the plate,” said Sextants coach Mike Grant. “He had a fantastic summer for Team Boston in which Keith Forbes was his coach. He has really good gap-to-gap power and barrels up the ball a lot. At first base, he has good hands and range.  I think he will be one of the better first basemen in the ISL.”

Bridgton Academy

CJ Willis, Post-Graduate

Willis comes to Bridgton as a PG following a successful campaign at Auburn (Mass.) High. He is expected to play a major role for the Wolverines this spring. “CJ is a physical, middle-of-the-order bat who is going to have plenty of success at the next level,” Bridgton coach Aaron Izaryk. “He is a converted catcher, but is equally impressive defensively around the bag at first base in terms of showing good hands and leadership on the infield. His bat is dangerous, specifically with his ability to drive the ball the opposite way, and he has been a big part of our success in the Showcase League this fall.”

Cheshire Academy

Conner Fishbein, Senior

Hailing from Southington, Conn., Fishbein has spent his entire four-year high school career at Cheshire, and has performed quite well. As a sophomore, he batted .285 and also played in the WNEPBL Underclassman All-Star Game. “Connor just finished his summer season with the CT Crush, where he hit .315,” Cats assistant coach Anthony Giano said. “He has a solid glove at first and saves many bad throws. At the plate, he is a line-drive hitter to all fields. In the clubhouse, he is a solid leader.”

Canterbury School

Richie Kerstetter, Junior

When not pitching, Kerstetter is also a very smooth first baseman and will play a major part within Canterbury’s solid roster. “Defensively, Richie has a great feel around the bag, picks balls out of the dirt well, and makes the other infielders better when he is at first,” said Saints coach Todd Mathewson. “Offensively, he has a powerful left-handed stroke and will be a middle-of-the-order bat for us this spring. Richie is a charismatic young man who was a great addition to Canterbury this year.”

CJ Johnson, Senior

Planning to attend Clark University, Johnson is also a pitcher who will see time at first base with the Saints. “CJ is athletic and has good footwork as a first baseman,” Mathewson said. “He also picks balls out of the dirt well. Offensively, he is a solid right-handed hitter who uses the whole field well and has some raw power as a hitter. CJ is a great teammate, and I can not wait to see him on the field this spring.”

Cushing Academy

Justin Masteralexis, Junior

Masteralexis a repeat junior out of Amherst, Mass. Besides being one of the Penguins’ top hurlers, Masteralexis is also an accomplished first baseman who will provide major dividends for Cushing this spring. “Justin is a hard-working, two-way player who also is an impact left-handed pitcher,” said Penguins coach Ryan Suchanek. “He will be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter who will hit for both average and power. He has really dedicated himself to the weight room this fall, and has put a lot of time in on the field working to improve all areas of his game.”

Dexter Southfield School

Zak Thomas, Senior

While considered a solid first baseman/pitcher at Dexter, Thomas has proven to be a major force at the plate. His play, both offensively, defensively and on the mound, gives Dexter a unique and dangerous weapon this spring. “Zak is one of the top hitting prospects in New England,” Dexter coach Dan Donato said. “He plays for the GBG Hawks outside of school. Zak is 6-foot-4 and has a short compact swing, which allows him to hit high level pitching. Over the past two summers, he has garnered a lot of college attention. He should be fun to watch this spring  with (Vanderbilt commit) Josh Baez hitting in front of him.”

Hamden Hall Country Day School

Sam Leito, Junior

Leito is a tall, rangy first baseman who stands 6-foot-3. As a first baseman/pitcher, Leito should provide a huge spark for the Hornets this season. “Sam has shown a lot of promise with his smooth fielding and hitting,” said Hamden Hall coach Joe Fontana. “He has good bat control and can drive the ball well. Sam will also be called upon to pitch as a starter and reliever for us.”

Middlesex School

Kyle Wolff, Junior

There are not many prep players in New England who have made such an impact at an early age. But Wolff is certainly one of them. A solid two-way player with the Zebras, Wolff was an All-ISL selection and was named ISL Hitter of the Year as a freshman in 2019. “Kyle led the ISL in hitting as a freshman,” Middlesex coach John Morrissey said. “He also hit three home runs and drove in 15. Kyle is a Boston College commit and is very skilled, but he is also one of the hardest working kids on our team. He is a wonderful teammate and an incredibly humble young man.”

I am proud to announce that I will be furthering my academic and athletic career at Boston College. Thank you to my family, teammates, coaches, BC, NEB and MX Baseball for making this dream become a reality. @NorthEast_BBall @MiddlesexSchool @NEBscottp @Coach_MAbes #birdball 🦅 pic.twitter.com/0RSkezjxjw

— Kyle Wolff (@kylewolff1515) August 1, 2019

Noble and Greenough School

Marc Willi, Junior

Willi is considered one of the top first base prospects in New England, and will no doubt continue that level of play this spring with the Bulldogs. Willi, a Weston, Mass., resident, is committed to Michigan. “Marc has been a member of the varsity baseball team at Nobles since the eighth grade,” Bulldogs coach Rob Murray said. “He was more of a role guy his first couple years, getting time as both a designated hitter and at first base. Marc has always had the ability to hit for power, but most recently he has shown that he can hit to all fields and is becoming a more complete hitter. This summer was his coming out party where he put on a hitting display at the PBR Futures event held in Pennsylvania. Shortly after, he was officially offered by the University Michigan. Marc also plays summer ball for the Nokona 17U Chiefs.”

Pingree School

Jake McGonagle, Junior

Primarily seeing action as a catcher, McGonagle, who stands 6-foot-2, will move over to first base this season for the Highlanders. The transition was well-received by the Rowley, Mass., native, as he has been looking right at home at his new position this fall. “Over the past several months, Jake has been working defensively at the new position,” said Pingree coach Luke Wamboldt. “He has grown a lot since the last time the Highlanders took the field during his freshman year in 2019. At the plate, Jake has a powerful stroke from the left side, and he should add some pop to the middle of our lineup. He is a strong athlete as he is also a defenseman on the Pingree hockey team.”

Paul Larrabee, Senior

Along with McGonagle, Larrabee gives the Highlanders a solid one-two punch at first base. When Larrabee is not playing first, expect him to stay in the lineup as the team’s DH and as reliever out of the bullpen. “Paul has a short, powerful swing from the right side that produces consistent line-drive contact,” Wamboldt said. “Additionally, he will add depth to the Pingree pitching staff and should see innings out of the bullpen as a right-handed reliever with an above-average fastball. Paul is also a starting lineman on the school’s football team, and hopes to pursue football at the collegiate level.”

Salisbury School

Rowan Schnieder, Sophomore

Schnieder decided to leave Sage Hill High School (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) and make the cross-country trip to Connecticut by enrolling at Salisbury. Schnieder should become an impactful addition to the Knights powerful roster immediately. “Rowan looks to be a piece to a formidable Crimson Knights lineup,” said Salisbury coach Kevin Huber. “He has a combination of soft hands and solid footwork around the bag. He is also a left-handed hitter that produces line drives all over the field.  Rowan has been working hard in the fall on his overall game, and he has seen improvements. Off-season work in the weight room and a refined offensive approach should produce serious results in the spring.”

St. Thomas More School

Jonah Joy, Post-Graduate

Joy is a large target at first base, standing 6-foot-2. Well regarded as a solid two-way player, Joy is expected to play a key role in the Chancellors’ campaign come spring. “Jonah is a premier defensive first baseman,” St. Thomas coach Bob Hetu said. “He has good range for his size along with a strong arm. His quickness and footwork allow him to turn a double play very well. His best attribute is picking balls thrown in the dirt. At the plate, Jonah can handle the bat well. He stays inside the ball and has solid opposite field power.”

Taft School

Richie Licursi, Senior

A solid specimen, Licursi is a strong offensive and defensive player who will help lead the Rhinos in their attempts to win the Founders League title as they did two years ago. Licursi is 6-foot-4 and weighs 250 pounds. “Richie is a force at the plate,” said Taft coach Mike Mastrocola. “He will be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter for us and should have a handful of doubles, home runs and RBIs this spring.”

Winchendon School

Will MacLean, Post-Graduate

MacLean will provide a huge bat within Winchendon’s arsenal this season. Also a strong hockey player at the school, MacLean will play baseball at UMass Amherst next season. “Will is a power-hitting first baseman who can also play the outfield,” Winchendon coach John Toffey said. “He is extremely athletic and is a middle-of-the-order bat for us.”

Ethan Young, Post-Graduate

Young is a highly measurable offensive and defensive threat who hits from the left side. He will certainly play a key role within Winchendon’s stacked lineup this season. Young recently committed to Georgetown. “Ethan has some of the best raw power I have seen in a left-handed hitter at this level,” said Toffey. “He has the ability to hit for a high average and power. Ethan has the ability to put backspin on the ball on a consistent basis.”

Thomas Rupp, Sophomore

Rupp stands 6-foot-6 and is a prospering addition to the Winchendon roster. He comes to Winchendon from Lunenburg, Mass. “Thomas is improving every day,” Toffey said. “He is your classic middle-of-the-order, run-producing first baseman. As he continues to develop, he will gain more and more attention from top college baseball programs. We are fortunate to have three future college baseball players who can all play first base.”