⚾ TOP 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN WEST NYACK ⚾
The New York State Tournament features elite hitters, dominant pitchers and several players capable of taking over a game on both sides of the ball.
Based on district and sectional tournament production, here are our Top 10 overall players entering the state tournament:
🥇 1. DOMINIC GIBSON — TWIN TOWN
At the plate: .647 AVG, 1.294 SLG, 3 HR
On the mound: 23 IP, 6 R, 13 H, 53 K, 4 BB
Gibson has recorded 53 strikeouts in 23 innings while also supplying every Twin Town home run. No player has carried a larger share of his team’s success.
🥈 2. BRADEN BUCKLEY — MAINE-ENDWELL
At the plate: .600 AVG, 1.067 SLG, 5 doubles, 3 HR
On the mound: 15⅔ IP, 4 R, 6 H, 34 K, 4 BB
Buckley has been overpowering in every phase of the game. His 0.64 WHIP is among the best in the field, and Maine-Endwell enters West Nyack undefeated. Oh yea… he’s 11 years old.
🥉 3. ANDREW BARBATO — ST. JAMES/SMITHTOWN
At the plate: .762 AVG, 1.429 SLG, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR
On the mound: 14⅔ IP, 7 R, 8 H, 22 K, 5 BB
Nine of Barbato’s 16 hits have gone for extra bases. He may have the most complete offensive résumé in the tournament while also serving as his team’s leading pitcher.
4. RYAN PAULINO — MID ISLAND
At the plate: .353 AVG, .824 SLG, 2 doubles, 2 HR
On the mound: 17 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 23 K, 6 BB
Paulino has allowed only five hits across 17 innings and provides major power in the middle of Mid Island’s lineup.
5. EVAN CAMPBELL — PENFIELD
At the plate: .400 AVG, .867 SLG, 2 HR
On the mound: 9⅔ IP, 0 R, 3 H, 22 K, 2 BB
Campbell has yet to allow a run and owns a 0.52 WHIP. He anchors a Penfield team averaging more than 10 runs per game.
6. RILEY JENKINS — MAINE-ENDWELL
At the plate: 22-for-30, .733 AVG, .933 SLG, 6 doubles, 15 RBI
On the mound: 16 IP, 20 K
Jenkins has produced 22 hits in only 30 at-bats and gives Maine-Endwell another experienced pitching option.
7. DREW THEOHARIS — PORT WASHINGTON
On the mound: 18 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 29 K, 5 BB
At the plate: 3 doubles, 7 runs, 5 RBI
Theoharis has a 0.61 WHIP and has allowed only two runs across 18 innings for the tournament’s best statistical pitching staff.
8. ZACH YOUNGHANS — FLORIDA
At the plate: .588 AVG, 1.235 SLG, 2 doubles, 3 HR, 11 RBI
Younghans combines elite contact with game-changing power and headlines Florida’s undefeated lineup.
9. CARLO CAFFERATA — PORT WASHINGTON
At the plate: .600 AVG, 1.533 SLG, 2 doubles, 4 HR, 11 RBI
Cafferata owns the highest slugging percentage in the field and is tied for the tournament lead with four home runs.
10. JACKSON GORYNSKI — PORT WASHINGTON
At the plate: .563 AVG, .813 SLG, 4 doubles
On the mound: 12⅓ IP, 4 R, 7 H, 16 K, 1 BB
Gorynski’s 0.65 WHIP gives Port Washington a second frontline pitcher behind Theoharis—and he is also one of its best hitters.
⭐ JUST MISSED
CJ Davila — Florida
Dillon Jones — New Hartford
Gavin Guerra — Florida
Gavin Baker — Maine-Endwell
Luke Repetto — Maine-Endwell
Tommy Benton — New Hartford
Jace Hooge — Penfield
Patrick Barbarite — St. James/Smithtown
Statistics are based on district and sectional tournament totals provided before the state tournament. Competition and sample sizes vary by team.
Who would be in your Top 10?
