Weehawken's baseball team has to be improved

 Weehawken senior shortstop/pitcher James Colon

Weehawken sophomore pitcher/outfielder Randy Abreu

Weehawken baseball preview

The 2019 high school baseball season was one to forget for Weehawken head coach Anthony Stratton.

Stratton has been involved with Weehawken baseball for close to 30 years – as a player, as an assistant coach and finally as the head coach -- and he never had to endure a 2-18 disaster like the one Stratton went through a year ago.

“It was the worst,” Stratton said. “It was really tough. I kind of tell people that we’re still waiting for the season to begin. Honestly, we didn’t have enough experience to play varsity baseball. It was a lot to swallow. We had teams like St. Mary’s, Becton, Saddle Brook in our league (the NJIC-Meadowlands Division) and they’re all pretty good. We were up against it a little.”

But then, things started to turn around for Stratton and his Indians, much like things do change in cyclical fashion with NJSIAA Group I programs. Last summer, the town’s youth baseball teams started to do well on a higher scale. The Babe Ruth league’s 15-year-old All-Stars won the United States Amateur Baseball League state championship. Baseball is experiencing a rebirth in Weehawken.

“The kids are all happy to play and hungry to play,” Stratton said. “The kids all asked themselves, ‘What are we going to do to get better?’ They worked every single day and that was great to see.”

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Joey Rovito is a player to watch.

“He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever had,” Stratton said of Rovito. “He is a tremendous leader to the rest of the team and he’s only a sophomore. He’s only learning now how to be a good pitcher. He has a good fastball and curve. We’re working on a change. He’s going to be a force, this year and in the future.”

Randy Abreu is another sophomore right-hander.

“He was just learning last season,” Stratton said. “He knew we were going to need some pitching and he volunteered last year. He has improved every single day. He’s in the weight room every single day. He wants to get better every single day.”

Chaz White is a senior right-handed pitcher who Stratton calls “my bulldog.”

James Colon is another Indian right-handed pitcher and the senior is definitely the Indian to watch, considering he has already received a scholarship package from Felician University, although Colon was recruited more for his bat.

“Look for him to come out of the bullpen,” Stratton said.

The regular catcher is the bulldog White.

“He’s a very good defensive catcher,” Stratton said. “He’s also fast on the bases.”

When is the last time you heard a coach say that about a catcher?

Senior Jonathan Perez is the team’s first baseman, with sophomore Omar Guia at second base.

“They are both good contact hitters,” Stratton said about the right side of his infield. “Guia is hard-nosed, tough, a good runner.”

Colon is the regular shortstop. He has been a starter in the Indians’ infield since he was a freshman and is now a fixture at short. Colon batted .450 last season.

“He definitely hit well,” Stratton said of Colon. “It was a breakout year for James. He hit for power and became one of the better players in our league.”

Rovito will be on third when he’s not pitching.

“He’s a good contact hitter,” Stratton said of Rovito.

Brennan Cannata is the junior left fielder. He has an interesting story. Cannata is so advanced as a student that he will graduate in three years of high school. Cannata is also a knuckleball pitcher, so whenever Stratton feels the need to get one batter, he may call upon Cannata’s fluke pitch to get the Indians out of a jam.

“He’s really good with that knuckleball,” Stratton said. “He pitched in a lot of big games in his life with no fear of throwing it.”

Abreu moves from right field, where he played last season, to centerfield.

“He has a lot of potential to be a good player,” Stratton said. “All the kid does is work on his game.”

Stratton has sophomore Ethan Hablitz in right field.

“He’s a nice player,” Stratton said of Hablitz. “But he’s still learning the game.”

A pair of freshmen will get their fair share of playing time. Ryan Benitez is the team’s utility player and Nicholas Sabogal is a rookie outfielder.

Stratton is especially fond of Sabogal.

“I’ve been coaching that kid since he’s five years old,” Stratton said of Sabogal, whom he has mentored since tee ball. “He’s a very promising outfielder and has a good future moving forward.”

Stratton is certain about one thing: His team’s win total will be higher this season – if and when we get back to playing games.

“For sure, we will be improved,” Stratton said. “It may not show in wins and losses, but we’re going to compete this year.”