Baseball: These Section 1 underclassmen have made an impact in Class AAA and AA in 2024

The jump to the varsity level is hard, but these young underclassmen have stepped up to the occasion and served as big contributors to their teams in 2024.

Sometimes, the older stars get the attention, but the spotlight is on these middle school-aged to sophomore baseball players that are doing more than just holding their own for their teams and playing big parts to their respective programs.

This is a look at some of the eighth-to-10th-grader underclassmen that have made their mark this spring in Class AAA and AA. Impact underclassmen in Class A, B and C will be featured later in the week.

Class AAA

Christian Anderson, So., OF, Arlington: Anderson is thriving in his first year on varsity with the Admirals. He is batting .409, with seven extra-base hits, 11 RBIs, five stolen bases and a 1.145 OPS. Anderson has a .947 fielding percentage and has only committed one error in the outfield.

Owen Brennen, So., P, Ossining: One of Ossining's go-to starting pitchers, Brennen is in the midst of another successful season after a solid freshman year. Brennen has a 3.00 ERA, with 30 strikeouts over 37 innings of action.

Adam Castaneda, 8th, SS/2B, Port Chester: He entered the final week of the season batting a touch below .300, with a .435 on-base percentage. He has started at shortstop or second base throughout the season and has scored nine runs and stolen nine bases.

Sam Cave, So., P/OF, New Rochelle: He's productive at the plate, batting .296, and getting back to a groove on the mound. He's hitting his stride again after a rough outing against Ketcham midway through the season and has been one of the Huguenots' go-to arms as a sophomore, with the second-most innings for New Rochelle (22) and seven appearances. Cave has a 1-0 record and one save and a 4.77 ERA (3.55 ERA outside of two innings at Ketcham). He's only given up one earned run over his last three appearances, which includes a quality start at Panas.

Tyler Durkin, So., OF/P, Ketcham: After playing a part as a starter in Ketcham's state title run as a freshman, Durkin continues to be a dependable contributor with his bat, glove and arm. Durkin entered the week batting close to .400, and he's made a few quality outings on the mound this season.

Nay Nay Gardner, So., 3B, Mount Vernon: He was clutch at the plate all year long and provided some big hits to help Mount Vernon win the independent league title, the program's first baseball title in 40 years. Gardner batted .384 this year.

Jacob Herrera, So., OF, North Rockland: The speedy Herrera continues to be an impact player for the Red Raiders with his bat, glove and wheels. Herrera is batting .395, with three doubles, nine RBIs, 21 runs scored and a .629 on-base percentage. He has a good eye in the box and has drawn 21 walks, and he's stolen 26 bases this season.

Koji Hirata, So., 2B, Scarsdale: He is batting .295 for the Raiders this year, with seven stolen bases.

Bret Hole, So., SS/OF, Scarsdale: He's been a bright spot for the Raiders this season, batting .282, with three doubles, a triple, 12 runs scored and a .404 on-base percentage. He's lined up at shortstop or in the outfield and has only committed one error all year.

Chase Kaplan, So., P, Ossining: Another big contributor and go-to starting pitcher for Ossining, Kaplan is having another quality season. Kaplan has a 1.17 ERA and 21 strikeouts, with only four earned runs allowed across 24 innings on the mound.

Sam Kinisky, Fr., P/INF, White Plains: A reliable arm in relief, Kinisky has a 0.78 ERA and 10 strikeouts over five appearances. When he's not pitching, he's played in every game for the Tigers as an infielder.

Gil Krausz, So., P, Scarsdale: After making a few solid appearances in relief to start the year, Krausz became one of Scarsdale's go-to starters. The Raiders' pitcher has a 1.44 ERA this season, and leads the team in strikeouts (28) and innings pitched (24.1 innings).

Sean Krouskoff, Fr., P/OF, White Plains: Another contributor in relief throughout the season, he gave quality innings against New Rochelle, Harrison, Scarsdale and Fox Lane. Krouskoff has a 2.76 ERA, with 12 strikeouts and just three walks. He also plays in the outfield and has chipped in six RBIs and nine runs scored.

Nick Mondesando, So., OF, Ketcham: He's made a solid first impression in his varsity baseball debut season with the Storm. Mondesando has started in center or right field for Ketcham, and he's batting close to .400 entering the week.

Will Plunkett, So., SS, Mamaroneck: The two-year starter is a reliable asset at shortstop and can also pitch when needed. He is batting .263 this season and leads the Tigers in extra-base hits. Plunkett has five doubles, three triples, 10 RBIs and nine runs scored.

Tristan Rivera, So., 2B, Arlington: Another Admiral thriving in his first year on varsity. He originally started as a designated hitter, before proving himself as a fielder and earning the starting spot at second base. Rivera is batting .352, with a .966 OPS, six extra-base hits, 15 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. He has only committed two errors this year.

Christian Robinson, Fr., P, Mount Vernon: He provided big innings for the Knights throughout the year, as they went on to win the independent league title, the program's first title in 40 years.

Alejandro Rondon, So., OF/P, New Rochelle: Rondon is batting .365 this season, with three doubles, a triple, 10 RBIs, nine runs scored and seven stolen bases. He also has a .492 on-base percentage and has also helped out on the mound when needed, supplying 15 innings over seven appearances.

Bryan Sachs, So., P, Port Chester: One of the Rams' go-to arms after ace Jordany German, Sachs has been solid. The sophomore pitcher has a 2-1 record, with a 3.35 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 31 innings, and has battled in close losses. He is also tied for the most doubles on the team (4), and scored 10 runs.

Austin Seipp, So., RF, John Jay-East Fishkill: The younger Seipp and three-sport athlete is forging his own identity on the diamond as another impact player for the Patriots. He is batting .347, with four doubles, a triple, two home runs against the likes of Arlington and Ketcham, seven RBIs and 15 runs scored.

Jaden Vasquez, So., SS, North Rockland: It's been a breakout year for the Red Raiders' shortstop. Vasquez is hitting .388, with three doubles, one triple, one home run and 16 RBIs. He also has eight stolen bases, 12 runs scored and a .500 on-base percentage.

Ayden Vitale, So., P/3B, John Jay-East Fishkill: Vitale has made a couple starts and seen work out of the bullpen. When he's not pitching, he also plays at third base. This season, Vitale has a 2.76 ERA, with 15 strikeouts over 12.2 innings of action.

Class AA

Justin Amodeo, So., 1B/OF, Clarkstown South: A powerful left-handed hitter, Amodeo is batting. 339 this season and leads the Vikings in doubles with eight. He has also hit a home run, tallied 12 RBIs and scored seven runs.

Zach Bond, So., P, Horace Greeley: The Quakers' sophomore has been lights out this season. He boasts a 0.98 ERA, with 37 strikeouts and just seven walks allowed across seven pitching appearances and a team-high 28.2 innings on the mound. Bond has held his opponents to a .185 batting average.

Alvaro Capellan, Fr., 2B/3B/P, Saunders: Capellan is batting .375, with 13 extra-base hits, 21 RBIs and a 1.167 OPS.

Vince Cataldo, So., INF, Mahopac: Cataldo is batting .344, with 14 RBIs, 16 runs scored and 10 stolen bases for the Wolf Pac.

Jake Hopper, So., SS/2B, Somers: Hopper is batting .282, with four doubles, 10 RBIs, 12 runs scored and a .396 on-base percentage for the Tuskers. He also provided five shutout innings of pitching.

Jack Kavanagh, So., OF, Clarkstown North: He's lined up at least once in all three sections of the outfield and has even played at third base and shortstop this season. Kavanagh is batting .385, the second-highest average on the Rams, and he also ranks in the top three for the team in doubles (4) and RBIs (12). He's also scored eight runs and has a team-high 11 stolen bases. Kavanagh has also provided 6.2 innings in relief, with one win on the mound and a 3.15 ERA.

Drew Lichtenberger, So., C/3B/1B, Mahopac: After a solid freshman season, Lichtenberger continues to be an important component in Mahopac's lineup. He provides positional versatility and a good bat. Lichtenberger is batting .316, with two home runs, 17 RBIs and 11 runs scored.

Nate Mascoll, So., OF, Mahopac: The speedy Mascoll is batting .378 this season, with 18 runs scored, eight RBIs and 14 stolen bases.

Alex Ornstein, So., SS/2B/P, Yorktown: He leads all Yorktown starters with a .389 batting average. He also has a .485 on-base percentage, 17 runs scored, eight RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Ornstein has also made a few pitching appearances in relief for the Huskers.

Chase Prohaszka, So., 2B, Brewster: The Brewster sophomore is batting .290, with 12 runs scored and 10 stolen bases for the Bears.

Josh Rattendi, So., 3B/P, Saunders: Rattendi has been one of the Blue Devils' top contributors all year. He is batting .453, with a 1.287 OPS and 24 RBIs.

J.D. Santulli, So., CF/P, Clarkstown North: Santulli is batting .273 for the Rams, with seven RBIs and 13 runs scored. He also made four starts for the Rams this season, holding a 1-0 record with a 2.62 ERA over 16 innings of action.

Evan Schwartz, So., INF, Harrison: A full-time starter that has shifted anywhere in the infield from second base, to third and shortstop, Schwartz provides a consistent defensive presence and versatility. He has also pitched in relief for Harrison. Schwartz has answered the call in nearly every spot the Huskies need him, while posting a .348 on-base percentage and chipping in 11 runs.

Tyler Venturini, So., OF, Somers: It's been a solid varsity debut season for Venturini, who is batting .396 this season, with a .483 on-base percentage, two doubles, 19 runs scored, eight stolen bases and only eight strikeouts in 59 plate appearances for the Tuskers.

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Baseball: 2024 Section 1 Class AAA and AA impact underclassmen