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.
2009 Roster
