2012 CMASS Baseball Players to Watch

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Phil Price, GoLocalWorcester Sports Contributor

Matt Abrain

Baseball is just about here! With about two weeks left to prepare for high school baseball tryouts, this week’s 2012 CMASS Baseball Players to Watch features some heavy pitching and lethal bats. Take a look at what’s brewing on the CMASS Baseball Hot Stove…

Northbridge High School – 2011 record: 21-2 (CMASS District Finalist)

Head Coach: John Demagian

Matt Abrain (Senior – LHP) – Abrain is coming into the 2012 season as staff ace and rightfully so. Last season the dominant lefty surged going 5-0 with a miniscule 1.45 ERA. He struck out 36 batters in 40 innings of work. The 2012 season will be Abrain’s fourth season pitching for the Rams and he has grown into an expected leader over the years. Abrain will be heading to Salem State after High School.

Ben O'Donnell (Junior – 2B/SS) – Last season, O’Donnell was the Rams leading hitter after posting a .446 AVG. and a .514 OBP as a sophomore. His ability to spray the ball and use all fields was a strong point that he can hopefully carry over into 2012 for the Rams. In addition to his ability to hit, O’Donnell is a superb middle infielder and will be expected to play both middle infield positions in 2012.

2012 Outlook: “Usual Suspects” ready to contend again
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West Boylston High School – 2011 record: 13-8 (CMASS District Finalist)

Head Coach: Todd Smith

Colby Bostek (Senior – CF) – Bostek was the Lion’s 3 hitter and in that slot he batted a whopping .509, had a .906 slugging percentage and posted a .639 OBP. With good speed and excellent bat speed, Bostek should destroy opposing team’s pitching in 2012. If he is able to replicate his phenomenal junior season, the Lions could see a batting champ in Bostek and another trip to the postseason in 2012. Bostek is eyeing Springfield College and Western New England College after high school.

Russell Mangsen (Senior – RHP/2B) – As a junior, Mangsen was the staff ace for the 2011 Lions and there’s no doubt that he’ll assume that role in 2012. Last season, he was 5-1, had 2 saves and carried a 1.43 ERA. In 48.6 innings of work, Mangsen struck out 50 batters. His loose arm action, sound mechanics and excellent command of his fastball, curveball and change-up, makes Mangsen an exciting player to watch in 2012. He will be attending UMASS Dartmouth next fall.

Ronnie Sampson (Senior – RHP/3B) – Sampson is looking to bounce back from injury in 2012. The pitcher/third baseman has a strong arm and is a very sound fielder. At the plate, he possesses great power and should have success in his final season for the Lions. Last year, Sampson batted .303 with a .470 slugging percentage and had a .395 OBP. He is undecided between Eastern Connecticut and University of Southern Maine, but is looking to pitch for either school.

2012 Outlook: Lions should roar back into the playoffs
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Nashoba High School – 2011 record: 13-7 (including playoffs)

Head Coach: Chuck Schoolcraft

Charlie Butler (Senior – P/1B) – Butler was 8-2 for the Chiefs in 2012 and coming into the season, he should be the staff ace. If last season is any indication for Butler’s 2012 season, look out all opposing team! Butler threw 57.6 innings and struck out 72 batters. He faced 249 batters and walked just 11 of them, while opponents batted just .217. At the plate, Butler was equally effective, batting .389 with 28 hits, 7 home runs, 28 RBI and scored 18 runs. Butler should be a force to reckon with in 2012.

Brandon Radziewicz

Brandon Radziewicz (Senior – P/INF) – Success of the Chief’s 1 – 2 punch will lie in the arms of Butler and this guy. Radziewicz went just 4-3 in 2011; however he struck 72 in 51.6 innings of work and held an ERA of 1.63. Teams batted .174 and he only allowed 37 hits out of 212 batters. He also had 2 saves in 2011. If Radziewics is able to copy the success from 2011 into the 2012 season, teams will have a difficult time when he takes the ball.

Sam Ashline (Senior – P/CA/3B) – Ashline was solid offensively for the Chiefs in 2011. After batting .364, racking up 24 hits, scoring 23 runs and stealing 17 bases last season, look for Ashline to be even better in 2012. He also led the team in walks with 13 and doubles with 6. A very important stat that Ashline had in 2011 that often gets over looked was his ability to put the ball in play. In 2011, he had 66 at-bats and only struck out 3 times.

2012 Outlook: Strong pitching will keep the Chiefs on the hunt
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Uxbridge High School – 2011 record: 13-11 (CMASS District Finalist)

Head Coach: Peter Rice

Chris Storey (Senior – OF/3B/P) – Storey will be a four year varsity starter for the 2012 Uxbridge Spartans and has shown great versatility occupying many positions. In 2011, Storey played outfield and third base. He batted .341 and had 15 RBI while scoring 18 runs. On the mound, Storey had nine relief appearances – going 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and it was his final two pitching appearances that propelled the Spartans in the playoffs in 2011. Storey will be attending either Mass Maritime or Westfield State next fall.

Tim Beaudet (Senior – CF) – 2012 will mark Beaudet’s third season in the outfield for the Spartans. Possessing phenomenal reads, explosive speed and an above average arm, look for Beaudet to once again man the centerfield position. In 2011 he batted .344, drove in 23 runs and scored 22 runs. Beaudet has committed to St. Josephs for fall 2012.

Tyler Wagar

Tyler Wagar (Senior- P/SS) – Wagar was the workhorse for the 2011 Spartans. Entering his senior year – he hopes to build off of a successful junior year in which he was 6-4 with a 2.94 ERA. In 2011 Wagar had 74 strikeouts in 57 innings and took the mound for three of the Spartan’s four postseason games. In addition, Wagar tossed a no-hitter vs. Bartlett last season. He has committed to Post University in Connecticut.

Mitchell Goldman (Junior – 3B/P) – Goldman’s 2011 season was fantastic. He excelled on the mound and at third base as a sophomore for the Spartans. He went 5-0 with a 3.09 ERA in 2011. With outstanding work ethic and incredible drive, Goldman hit .375 and had 10 RBI in 2011. Goldman is looking to attend UMASS Lowell, UMASS Boston or UNH after high school.

2012 Outlook: With veteran leadership, the Spartans should battle hard
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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.

*The following schools were contacted but did not respond: Wachusett, Quabbin, Algonquin, Marlboro, Tantasqua, Worcester Academy, Holy Name and Worcester Tech.