No need to guess who's on first for Golden Eagles

Baseball team announces roster for 2009 season

By Tim McManus
tmcmanus@poststar.com

Published: Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Putting together a New York Collegiate Baseball League roster is part extensive research, part guesswork, and a whole lot of working the baseball back channels. Few NYCBL coaches have done as good a job of shaking the trees for prospects as John Mayotte of the Glens Falls Golden Eagles. Since the team's inception five years ago, the Eagles have won three Eastern Division titles, and no NYCBL team has won more games.

On Tuesday, Mayotte and Golden Eagles owner Darin Williams released the tentative roster for the team's 2009 season, set to begin on June 4. The roster includes two holdovers from last season, Siena outfielder Anthony Giansanti and pitcher Jamie Storey of Midland, Texas.

"Once again John has pulled some really good players from big-name colleges," Williams said. "He knows everything that is going on with everyone. His spiderweb goes out far."

Mayotte, the Hudson Falls native and St. Mary's graduate, coached college and Cape Cod League baseball and has been involved in the sport for decades. He relies on all of those connections, as well as his winter base near Clearwater, the heart of baseball country, to mine the best talent.

The tentative roster includes 28 players, three over the league limit. Many changes typically occur through roster attrition as players get injured, become academically ineligible or change plans.

This year's roster includes several pro prospects, highlighted by freshman outfielder Rodarrick Jones of the University of New Orleans. The Houston Astros drafted Jones in the 21st round this year, but the two sides could not agree on a signing bonus. Jones was a four-time all-state selection in football and baseball at St. John High School in St. Gabriel, La. and was recruited to play Division I football.

"He is an outstanding prospect," Mayotte said. "As a freshman, he has great ability. We're looking forward to helping him develop his power."

Other notable commitments include:

- Zack Kraham, RHP, Albany: Kraham, a three-sport star at Chatham a year ago is the only Section II player on the roster. The hard-throwing, 6-foot-4 righty pitched Chatham to the state final. Mayotte also expects him to play some third base.

"He's going to be a real good one," Mayotte said.

- Chris Lashmet, 3B, Northwestern: Lashmet started 47 games as a freshman and hit .299 with four home runs and 38 RBIs.

"He's a very, very good offensive player, a middle of the order power-hitter," Mayottte said.

- Cole Livermore, RHP, Northwestern: Livermore missed the entire 2008 season with an injury, but is projected as a top starter for Northwestern as a junior.

- Tony Dischler, RHP, Louisiana-Monroe: Another hard-throwing, 6-foot-4 righty, Dischler was one of the top high school pitchers in Louisiana last year.

"He's in the same mold as Zach Kraham," Mayotte said.

Like last year, the team includes several players from the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, a wooden bat league that is one of the most competitive junior conferences in the country.

"It's a big advantage because those kids are very comfortable from the get-go," Mayotte said.

Pitching coach Brett Meritt and bench coach Dan Kelley both return. Defensive coach Joe Sinicola left the team to take an assistant job at Siena. The Eagles are still searching for a replacement.

The team is also seeking host families for the players during the two-month season. Those interested can contact Sheri Williams at 798-2387 for more information.