Riverdale, NY (August 10, 2004)- Manhattan head baseball coach Steve Trimper announced recently his signees for the 2005 Jasper baseball season. The five players signed by Trimper to begin play in the fall are
Matt Rizzotti (Floral Park, NY/Archbishop Molloy),
Pat Reynolds (Avon, NJ/St. Rose of Belmar),
Eric Nieto (Miami, FL/Christopher Columbus),
Nunzio Franzese (Brooklyn, NY/St. Edmund Prep), and
Joe Franzese (Brooklyn, NY/Bloomfield College).
Rizzotti, a first baseman, was a Louisville Slugger High School All-American following his senior season playing for coach Jack Curran at Archbishop Molloy. He batted .512 during his senior campaign and belted 16 homeruns, breaking a 33-year school record. He was named to the Sports Writers Association of NY First Team, Newsday All-Boro First Team, CHSAA First Team, and was the Newsday Queens Player of the Year as well as the Times Ledger CHSAA Player of the Year following his senior season. Also, Rizzotti was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 46th Round of the MLB First Year Player Draft.
"Matt brings not only a huge offensive threat to the team, but will also help us as a left handed pitcher," commented Trimper. "He is one of the best amateur power hitters I have seen in my 13 years recruiting."
Reynolds, an outfielder, was named MVP of his St. Rose team following his senior season, and was also named the St. Rose Male Athlete of the Year. He was named to the All-Shore First team and Parochial All-State Second Team as a senior after setting the school record for RBI and runs scored in a season.
"Pat will be an offensive threat for us," noted Trimper. "He has some power, and will compete for playing time in the outfield."
Nieto, an outfielder, was named Third Team All-Dade County and won the Marist Award his senior season, after batting .430 with five homers. He was a team captain as a senior, and was part of a state championship his junior season.
"Eric played for Joe Weber at Christopher Columbus, which is one of the top high school programs in the country, and he will bring us tremendous speed for us at the top of the lineup," stated Trimper. "He is a true leadoff hitter that will also help us in the outfield."
Nunzio Franzese, an outfielder, was named to the All-City First Team, All-Boro First Team, and All-CHSAA First Team following his senior season playing for Mike Amirati at St. Edmund Prep. He graduated holding 16 school records encompassing almost every offensive category. He as named a Second Team High School All-American by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.
"Nunzio is a five tool player," noted Trimper. "I believe he can make an immediate impact on both our team and in the MAAC."
Joe Franzese, a utility infielder, is a transfer from Bloomfield College, where he led the team in batting average the past two seasons. He was a three-year starter at St. Edmund Prep, where he led the team in batting average for two seasons.
"Joe is a great pickup for us," commented Trimper. "He is a big, strong player that will help us out at several positions and bring a veteran presence."
Manhattan posted a 25-27-1 record last season, and advanced to the Championship Round of the MAAC Tournament for the first time in program history.
