2012 Central Mass Baseball Players to Watch

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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Phil Price GoLocalWorcester Sports Contributor

We’re just weeks away from the start of the 2012 Central Mass High School Baseball season and teams are eager to get out and shoot for the Central Mass Tournament. Many players have been swinging in the cages and throwing off indoor mounds for weeks now. Will they be ready come that first week in April? We’ll soon find out if their winter training will pay off. For now, let’s take a look at some of CMASS’ Players to Watch for 2012…

Westborough High School – 2011 Record: 15-8 (CMASS Division 1 Finalist)
Head Coach: Scott Kittredge

Matt Shunney (Senior – Catcher): Shunney is a three year varsity player and a leader from behind the plate. After a slow start to the 2011 season, Matt came on strong to hit .329 and had 14 RBI. Shunney was one of the best situational hitters for the Rangers in 2011. Though he batted in the two spot for much of the 2011 season, he should be a middle of the order bat for the Rangers in 2012. Matt's undecided about college at this point but is looking to play baseball.



Ryan Venditti (Senior P/1B/3B): Venditti batted .351 with 15 RBI and carried a 3.23 ERA in 2011. During the 2011 CMASS Tournament, he had double digit hits, a win on the mound and a second win in relief - throwing 2 scoreless innings during in the semis. Big and strong, Venditti will most likely man the four hole in the Rangers lineup. He is pursuing prep school next year to develop as a hockey goalie and is regarded as one of the best high school goalies in CMASS.



Will Ashton (Senior – DH/1B/3B): The Rangers are hoping that Ashton can rebound after tearing his ACL during the 2011 football season. Due to his injury, his mobility will be limited though the team will be looking for Ashton to DH or play a corner infield position. If healthy, Ashton will provide good pop and great speed to the 2012 Rangers. Will is looking at the military academies for next year.

2012 Outlook: A veteran team looking to remain a powerhouse for 2012.

Doherty High School – 2011 record: 15-6
Head Coach: Ed Whalen

Adam Goldstein (Senior – INF/CA): 2012 will be Goldstein’s 4th year as a varsity starter for the Highlanders. He’ll provide experience and power to a young Highlanders team in 2012. Goldstein is a corner infielder and catcher. Last season, he posted a .312 batting average, had 4 homeruns and 19 RBI. Goldstein is a winner of the Posse Scholarship and will be attending Denison University in Ohio next fall.



Noah Robinson (Junior – SP/OF): Robinson is not only a standout baseball player, but is being recruited to play football in college. The 2012 Highlanders hope that he can become the staff ace and continue to hit for power at the plate. Overall, Robinson is Doherty’s best returning hitter after posting a .339 batting average, belted 3 homeruns and drove in 14 runs as a sophomore in 2011. Robinson also played a stellar outfield last season and is planning on attending college after high school, however is still undecided.

Anthony Rentsch (Sophomore – SS/2B): Last season, Rentsch started Doherty’s district game against Holy Name as a freshman. A smooth and slick middle infielder, the Highlanders have high expectations for the returning sophomore. Plans are in place for Rentsch to play second base or shortstop in 2012. He shows tremendous range, great fundamentals defensively and has a great swing. Rentsch will be looked to contribute on the mound in 2012. Academically, Rentsch is one of the top sophomores in the school.

2012 Outlook: Deep with youth talent – thin on veteran leadership.

Shrewsbury High School – 2011 record: 11-10

Head Coach: Lee Diamantopoulos



Brett Mikolajczyk (Senior – P): Looking to bounce back from a shoulder injury in 2011, Mikolajczyk is expected to battle for staff ace for the Colonials. Before being sidelined with the injury, he served as the number two starter going 2-1 in 6 appearances totaling 25.2 innings while striking out 35. He carried an 2.18 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Look for Mikolajczyk to put up huge numbers for the Colonials in 2012. He is interested in attending Fairfield University, Fordham University and exploring the opportunity of a post-grad year at Phillips Andover. 
 


Matt Bodley (Senior – 3B): Bodley was a top hitter in 2011 for the Colonials and he will once again be looking to do some damage with his bat. As a junior third baseman, he posted a .339 batting average, and had an OBP just shy of .400 while striking out just 7 times in 59 at-bats. He also started in 20 out of 21 games last season. In 2012, look for Bodley to be hitting in the top of the Colonials batting order. Bodley will be attending University of New Hampshire next fall.

Michael Coggeshall (Junior – SS): Junior shortstop, Michael Coggeshall is a great all-around athlete. He’s the starting QB on the football team and has been named captain of the basketball team. Baseball could very well be his best sport. Last season, Coggeshall was the Colonials leading hitter with a .394 average, 26 total hits including 6 doubles, 1 triple and 1 Homerun and had an OBP of .466 as a sophomore in 2011. He is still undecided about his plans for college.



Spencer Resnik (Junior – LHP): Resnik had 3 complete games and posted a 2.86 ERA as a sophomore in 2011 for the Colonials. He’s a crafty pitcher who mixes up speeds, has great movement and spots a great changeup. The keys to his success will be in his ability maintaining low off-speed pitches and keeping hitters off-balance. Resnik is still undecided about where he will attend college after high school.

2012 Outlook: Plenty of tools to put the house together.


Phil Price is the Operations Manager and Professional Baseball Instructor for Hit Quarters LLC, www.thehitquarters.com, and also the General Manager for the Worcester Heat Travel Baseball Club, www.worcesterheatbaseball.net. 

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• Central Mass High School Baseball Players to Watch in 2012

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