The Trusted Home of Amateur Baseball on Long Island – From Travel through College

search icon
advertise with us

News

Up Next Powered by The Yard Sports Academy: Zach Rosenzweig

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVRHdokLnlE_x000D_
_x000D_
(Editor’s Note: This is the eighth installment of the popular ‘Up Next’ Series which highlights the top underclassmen on Long Island. None of them have yet to play a varsity game, but we are confident that they soon will. Previously, we have featured Andrew Koshy, Chris Batuyios, Josh Knoth, Ben Cohen, Sebastian Lippman, T.J. Bradford and Brandon O’Neill.)_x000D_

_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
When you are watching a middle schooler or JV player take batting practice, it usually features plenty of soft contact and flawed swings. There was nothing soft about the contact that was coming off the bat of freshman Zach Rosenzweig (Plainedge 2024) yesterday._x000D_
_x000D_
At one point, we picked up one of the baseballs that he hit particularly well. The ball looked as if it had been through a meat grinder. And no it wasn’t like that before. When Zach squares the ball up, it travels a long way. Thanks to technology like Rapsodo, we can now measure that, too. Last week during the clinic hosted by Anthony Iapoce, he recorded an exit velocity of 90.3 with a wood bat. That’s well-above the average for the varsity level, let alone those in his age group._x000D_

_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
His summer coach for the Knights Nation MXE Academy, Joey Giacmantonio, described a home run he hit this summer in Ohio that was the furthest ball he saw hit. That type of skillset is highly valued in today’s game._x000D_
_x000D_
Prior to COVID, Rosenzweig stated that he was going to be playing JV as an eighth grader. I fully expect him to be asked to play at the varsity level at some point this season._x000D_
_x000D_
I had a chance to speak with him yesterday and here’s what he had to say…_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
What are you looking to improve on this off-season?_x000D_
_x000D_
I’m looking to improve the strength in my legs._x000D_
_x000D_
I noticed you work out at 7 Tool Catching clinic, why do you like going there?_x000D_
_x000D_
I really like going there for the environment and that I can just focus on catching because that’s the only position that we work on. I like that there’s kids older than me because I want to compete with them and I look up to the older kids._x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
Who’s your favorite player in Major League Baseball?_x000D_
_x000D_
My favorite player is J.T. Realmuto because he’s really quick and I want to play like him. He’s also not just a good catcher, but a well-rounded player._x000D_
_x000D_
Who’s your favorite team?_x000D_
_x000D_
My favorite team is the Mets and my favorite player is probably James McCann._x000D_
_x000D_
What has been the best moment on a baseball field for you?_x000D_
_x000D_
The best moment was probably this year after winning the PG Tournament. Everyone was just so happy. That’s the biggest one you can win._x000D_
_x000D_
How long have you been playing with the Knights?_x000D_
_x000D_
I’ve been playing since 9u._x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_
Why do you enjoy playing for them?_x000D_
_x000D_
I like playing with the Knights because we get along so well. It’s like a family; not a huge organization._x000D_
_x000D_
What was it like playing during the pandemic?_x000D_
_x000D_
It was crazy – the schedule seemed to change every week because of tournaments being cancelled. We were supposed to go to Florida but that got cancelled._x000D_
_x000D_
Was baseball always your No. 1 sport?_x000D_
_x000D_
No I play football (TE and DE) and I used to play lacrosse until but I chose to switch to baseball in 2014._x000D_
_x000D_
Favorite music to listen to pre-game?_x000D_
_x000D_
Rap and country._x000D_
_x000D_
Favorite app on your phone?_x000D_
_x000D_
Snapchat._x000D_
_x000D_
Pre-game meal?_x000D_
_x000D_
I don’t like to eat anything before a game._x000D_
_x000D_
Okay, so favorite postgame meal?_x000D_
_x000D_
Chick-Fil-A or Chipotle._x000D_
_x000D_
Favorite vacation spot?_x000D_
_x000D_
Florida._x000D_
_x000D_
Where would be your preferred destination to attend college?_x000D_
_x000D_
Probably down south_x000D_
_x000D_