Baseball: Fox Lane standout Tyler Renz headlines 2024 lohud Westchester/Putnam All-Stars

2024 lohud Westchester/Putnam Baseball Player of the Year

Tyler Renz, Sr., P, Fox Lane: The St. John's-bound standout repeated as Conference 1 and league pitcher of the Year, and he was awarded Section 1 Pitcher of the Year. He went 8-1 this season with a 1.13 ERA and 88 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .148 batting average. Renz was a key catalyst in bringing the Foxes to the Section 1 Class AA finals, stepping up big and earning wins in relief in three consecutive playoff games to bring Fox Lane to the championship game. His lone loss of the year came in a 1-0 pitcher's duel against Class AAA state runner-up Ketcham, where the Foxes were kept hitless in the tight battle. Renz received plenty of interest and visits from MLB scouts this past season. A three-year varsity player, he graduates as the Foxes' all-time record holder in wins (19) and strikeouts (224).

"The past three years have been great, probably the best years of my life," Renz said. "We came close in the end and just fell short, but overall, it was a great run with my friends and a great experience overall. It's a great honor, there's a bunch of other good players in this county and Putnam, and just being named best of the best is a great honor.

"There's a great history here and obviously Coach Hillis has done a great job. There's a certain meaning that goes beyond just the game at Fox Lane and just being able to live up to the standard that Coach Hillis and Fox Lane baseball has, it just helped me progress."

The rest of the first team All-Stars

Marco Citro

Position: Pitcher

Year: Senior

School: Harrison

Highlights: This year brought a new league and a new class for the Huskies, but Citro continued to deal on the mound and helped Harrison get a share of the league title. Citro posted a 0.96 ERA, with 83 strikeouts, and he was named league pitcher of the year and landed on the Diamond Nine Plus One.

Matt Fitzgibbon

Position: Pitcher

Year: Senior

School: Iona Prep

Highlights: The Saint Joseph's-committed southpaw was lights out this past season. Fitzgibbon went 7-0 with a 0.04 ERA. He racked up 83 strikeouts, while giving up just three earned runs and 14 walks for the year over 50 innings of work. Fitzgibbon was also a finalist for the CHSAA Ron Patnosh Player of the Year award.

Jordany German

Position: Pitcher

Year: Junior

School: Port Chester

Highlights: The Rams' ace enjoyed a career-best year and led Section 1 in the regular season with 103 strikeouts. He finished his junior campaign with a 5-1 record, 1.24 ERA and 111 strikeouts. German gave Port Chester a chance to win every time he was on the mound.

Marcel Kulik

Position: Pitcher

Year: Senior

School: Iona Prep

Highlights: The Virginia Tech-committed star was a machine on the mound for the Gaels. The hard-throwing Kulik went 6-1, with a 0.08 ERA. He recorded 61 strikeouts and gave up just 11 hits over 41 innings. Kulik was also a finalist for the CHSAA Ron Patnosh Player of the Year award.

Colin Spidal

Position: Pitcher

Year: Senior

School: Kennedy Catholic

Highlights: A catalyst on the mound, the Kennedy Catholic senior ace played a pivotal role in helping the Gaels reach the CHSAA Archdiocesan finals. He was also a finalist for the CHSAA Ron Patnosh Player of the Year award after a standout season where he went 5-1 with a 0.97 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 50.1 innings, while holding opponents to a .160 batting average. Spidal will continue his baseball career at RIT.

Jake Warnock

Position: Pitcher

Year: Senior

School: Eastchester

Highlights: An instrumental player in the Eagles' run to a section title and their first NYSPHSAA Final Four appearance since 1973, Warnock saved his best for last. Warnock went 8-3 on the mound, with a 1.91 ERA and a career-best 113 strikeouts over 65.2 innings of action.

J.J. Grimes

Position: Catcher

Year: Senior

School: Mamaroneck

Highlights: An all-around player, the Amherst-bound standout batted .333 with a .500 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot. He also had a league-best 30 stolen bases. Defensively, he threw out 21 of 28 attempted base stealers and repeated as league player of the year.

Tyler Castrataro

Position: Infield

Year: Senior

School: Mahopac

Highlights: A dominant two-way impact player, Castrataro was a game-changer at the plate, on the mound and in the field. The Hofstra-bound standout batted .518, with a .636 on-base percentage and a 1.565 OPS from the leadoff spot. He also had four home runs, 18 RBIs and 28 runs scored. As one of Mahopac's go-to pitchers, he also recorded a 2.21 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 30.2 innings, while holding opponents to a .190 batting average.

Nick Fassert

Position: Infield

Year: Senior

School: John Jay-Cross River

Highlights: He excelled in any role that the Wolves needed him on any given day. A standout shortstop, Fassert also thrived on the mound and at the plate. Fassert batted a team-best .462, with a .563 on-base percentage and 1.224 OPS. He also had eight doubles, a triple, a home run, 21 RBIs, 17 runs scored and nine stolen bases. As the Wolves' ace, he went 10-1 with a 1.13 ERA, 98 strikeouts and just 12 walks over 62 innings. The Amherst commit was named league player of the year.

C.J. Griggs

Position: Infield

Year: Senior

School: Kennedy Catholic

Highlights: The Hofstra-bound slugger batted .294 and led Kennedy with a .456 on-base percentage and .941 OPS. Griggs also had seven doubles, two home runs and 20 RBIs and was a key player in helping the Gaels reach the CHSAA Archdiocesan finals. He is also solid with a glove and gave Kennedy Catholic plenty of flexibility as a first baseman or catcher.

Michael Lebenson

Position: Infield

Year: Senior

School: Ossining

Highlights: He enjoyed a career-year as a senior and made an impact with his speed, bat and glove. He batted .420, with 23 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Lebenson earned all-section, league player of the year honors and a spot on the Diamond Nine Plus One. Lebenson will continue his career at RPI.

Tyler DeBrocky

Position: Outfielder

Year: Senior

School: Mahopac

Highlights: The Canisius-committed senior was a threat in the heart of the WolfPac lineup, and he was also solid in the outfield and on the mound. DeBrocky batted .330, with two home runs, 27 RBIs and 15 runs. As a pitcher, he recorded a 1.80 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 32.2 innings, while holding opponents to a .098 batting average.

Devin Diaz

Position: Outfielder

School: Iona Prep

Highlights: The Miami-committed sophomore could line up behind the plate or in the outfield. He batted a team-best .397, with 17 RBIs, 29 runs and a 1.030 OPS. An impressive athlete that plays at a level beyond his years, Diaz was also named a finalist for the CHSAA Ron Patnosh Player of the Year award.

Mike Weninger

Position: Outfielder

Year: Senior

School: Stepinac

Highlights: Weninger thrived in the big moments and delivered clutch hits and key plays in tough spots. Weninger led the Crusaders with a .371 average and 22 RBIs. He only struck out three times in 85 plate appearances and logged a .459 on-base percentage. Weninger also got a win on the mound and two saves in relief. He was named to the CHSAA all-league first team.

Omar Giret

Position: Utility

Year: Senior

School: Kennedy Catholic

Highlights: A bulldog on the mound, the Mercy-committed Giret was one of the Gaels' go-to arms this season. He finished 5-1 with a 1.22 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 40.1 innings. Giret held opponents to a .145 batting average and played a big part in the CHSAA Archdiocesan runner-up's season.

Shep Griffiths

Position: Utility

Year: Senior

School: Rye

Highlights: He anchored the Garnets' pitching staff for the last three years and put together another sub-1.00 ERA season. Griffiths went 5-1, with a 0.80 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 41.1 innings. He excelled in big games and his lone loss came in a 1-0 pitchers' duel against Section 1 Class AAA runner-up John Jay-East Fishkill. Griffiths was named league pitcher of the year and landed on the Section 1 Diamond Nine Plus One.

Julian Guzman

Position: Utility

School: Iona Prep

Highlights: A CHSAA first-team all-league selection, Guzman enjoyed a breakout sophomore season with the Gaels. The Iona Prep shortstop was a machine at the top of the batting order, hitting .391, with a 1.091 OPS. He also had 27 RBIs and 23 runs scored.

George Katsaros

Position: Utility

Year: Senior

School: Rye Neck

Highlights: He wrapped up a solid career at Rye Neck by helping the Panthers to the Section 1 Class B finals. A warrior on the mound, Katsaros finished with an 8-2 record, 1.17 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 59.2 innings. The Panthers' workhorse allowed just 10 earned runs all season and limited opponents to a .129 batting average. He was named Conference 3 and league player of the year. Katsaros will do a post-grad year at IMG Academy.

Andrew Rogovic

Position: Utility

Year: Senior

School: Blind Brook

Highlights: He was a bright spot on the Trojans. Even as a severe blister on his throwing hand limited his pitching opportunities throughout the season, that didn't deter Rogovic from making an impact at shortstop or from garnering league player of the year honors. The Northeastern commit eventually did work his way back to the mound and garnered some attention from MLB scouts. He was one of the Trojans' top hitters, batting .348 from the leadoff spot. He also finished with a 0.00 ERA and 48 strikeouts and just 12 walks over 23 innings of work.

Jason Ugalde

Position: Utility

Year: Senior

School: Eastchester

Highlights: Another catalyst in the Eagles' run to the state final four, Ugalde was one of Eastchester's top performers on the mound and at the plate. Offensively, he batted .306, with four doubles, a triple, one home run, 13 RBIs and eight stolen bases. On the mound, he recorded a 1.88 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 52 innings, while holding opponents to a .189 batting average. Ugalde was named league player of the year and the Section 1 Class AA finals MVP.

Coach of the year

Jesse Waters, Eastchester: The Eagles' prospects were initially unclear, after moving up to Class AA for the first time and sustaining a key injury early in the season. However, Eastchester shattered all expectations and proved to more than capable of competing in their new surroundings. Under Waters' guidance, the Eagles won their first section title since 2005 and they reached the NYSPHSAA Class AA final four for the first time since 1973. There was no shame in losing to the eventual state champ, Bethlehem Central, after falling in a tightly contested state semifinal that came down to the final inning. After the Eagles' historic run, Waters was named Conference 2 coach of the year.

Second team

P — Ryan Bailey, Sr., Iona Prep

P — Zach Bond, So., Horace Greeley

P — Kenichiro Franck, Sr. Harrison

P — Logan Hicks, Jr., Fox Lane

P — Alex Morrissey, Jr., Stepinac

P — Derek Patrissi, Jr., Yorktown

C — Ryan Strnad, Jr., Kennedy Catholic

INF — Jacob Malfant, So., Panas

INF — Silvio Morovic, Sr., Pelham

INF — Aidan Schultz, Sr., Eastchester

INF — Jacob Storch, So., John Jay-Cross River

OF — Kieran McCloskey, Sr., Eastchester

OF — Tyler Muranaka, Sr., Hen Hud

OF — Jack Williams, Sr., Kennedy Catholic

UTIL — Connor Flynn, Sr., Putnam Valley

UTIL — Max Fredman, So., Croton-Harmon

UTIL — Anthony Frobose, Jr., Lakeland

UTIL — Gianni Generoso, Jr., Panas

UTIL — Andrew Kapica, Jr., Somers

UTIL — Logan Mammola, Jr., Fox Lane

UTIL — Billy Murnighan, Sr., Hastings

Honorable mention

P — Quinn Bamberger, Jr., New Rochelle; Connor Brice, So., Tuckahoe; Charlie Bateman, Sr., Pleasantville; Owen Brennen, So., Ossining; Jax Colacicco, Sr., Tuckahoe; Nick DiMaso, Jr., Panas; Ryan DiNapoli, Sr., Yorktown; Alex Enea, Sr., Panas; Shane Jelenevsky, So., Iona Prep; Henry Kagan, Sr., Pelham; Chase Kaplan, So., Ossining; Sammy Mendez, Sr., White Plains; Nick Portanova, Sr., White Plains; Gabe Roland, Sr., Mamaroneck; Mike Sica, Jr., Westlake; Henry Vail, Jr., Bronxville.

C — Chris Arrichiello, Sr., Westlake; Leo Bruneneavs, Sr., Dobbs Ferry; Jacob Liberati, Sr., Tuckahoe; Trajan McCarthy, Sr., Haldane.

INF — Bryce Baskind, Jr., Byram Hills; Declan Bruder, So., Pleasantville; Luke Ciszewski, Sr., Hastings; Jay Constantino, Jr., Putnam Valley; Logan Crilly, Sr., Lakeland; John Czernyk, Jr., Fox Lane; Ryan D'Ambrosio, Jr., Kennedy Catholic; Derek DeResh, Sr., Hen Hud; Steve Dimovski, Sr., Iona Prep; Carter Dineen, Sr., Brewster; Ryan Done, Sr., Lakeland; Connor Hayes, So., Valhalla; Nolan Hutson, So., Rye; Lorenzo Jorge, So., Kennedy Catholic; Ryan Kim, So., Croton-Harmon; Max Lipton, Sr., Hen Hud; James Mulligan, Sr., Briarcliff; Kieran McGrath, Jr., Hastings; Alex Ornstein, So., Yorktown; Will Plunkett, So., Mamaroneck; Luke Reagins, So., Mamaroneck; Michael Rende, Sr., Ardsley; Nolan Rhodes, Jr., John Jay-Cross River; Adriel Rodriguez, Sr., Saunders; Nick Russo, Jr., John Jay-Cross River; Davey Ryan, So., Rye Neck; Dean Sewall, Sr., Panas.

OF — Eliot Arbogast, Jr., John Jay-Cross River; Connor Benke, Sr., Tuckahoe; Aidan Callahan, Sr., Croton-Harmon; Brayden Casas, Jr., New Rochelle; Charlie Margiloff, Sr., Rye; Ricky Meister, Sr., Putnam Valley; Gibby Poll, Jr., Sleepy Hollow; Michael Olsey, Jr., Harrison; Ben Rothenberg, Jr., Byram Hills; Ben Silverman, Sr., Ardsley; Michael Vibbert, Jr., Scarsdale; Brian White, Jr., Yorktown.

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