Summer plans set for top local players

The New England Collegiate Baseball League and Futures League are back in action with many former Connecticut standouts returning home to compete.

Here’s a look at some of the top local players who will be competing for Connecticut teams in the leagues this summer:

NECBL BRISTOL BLUES

Luke Garofalo, So., Pitcher, Central Connecticut State (Coginchaug): Garofalo attended both Xavier and Coginchaug as a Connecticut high school baseball player and hails from Middletown. He was named to the New Haven Register All-Area team in 2017, and this year went 5-1 with a 1.26 ERA while striking out 57 in 43 innings.

DANBURY WESTERNERS

Jack Bowery, Fr., Pitcher, Marist (Fairfield Prep): Bowery was a 2021 All-SCC selection out of Fairfield Prep and went on to pitch 44 innings as a freshman at Marist. Bowery was twice named the MAAC rookie of the week and was named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team. Harrison Feinberg, Fr., Outfielder, Southern California (Greenwich, King School): Feinberg was a preseason All-American in 2020 out of the King School in Stamford. The Greenwich native was ranked the second best outfielder in Connecticut his senior year and carried his talents to USC where he is awaiting his collegiate debut.

Aeden Finatery, Fr., Pitcher, Georgia Tech (Avon Old Farms):

The Watertown resident attended Avon Old Farms and was designated the third best high school Connecticut pitcher in the state in 2020 and was able to get in 33 innings of work as a freshman at Georgia Tech this spring.

Billy Oldham, Sr., Pitcher, Eastern Connecticut State (Brookfield): Was a Class M All-State selection out of Brookfield as a senior, and just helped lead Eastern Connecticut through its Division III College World Series championship run. He finished the season going 12-2 with a 2.53 ERA while striking out 120 batters over 96 innings.

Braden Quinn, Fr., Pitcher, UConn (New Fairfield): Quinn was an AllState and All-SWC selection as a senior out of New Fairfield in 2021. As a freshman at UConn this spring, Quinn pitched 15.1 innings in relief to earn his first career win and save.

Kyle Roche, Sr., Pitcher, Franklin & Marshall (Newtown): The 2018 Class LL All-State and All-SWC selection out of Newtown was named a D3 baseball 2nd Team All-American in 2021 after pitching 45 innings with a 1.00 ERA. In his four years at Franklin & Marshall he has pitched 127 innings, struck out 144 and holds a 3.90 ERA.

MYSTIC SCHOONERS

Bowen Baker, Jr., Pitcher, Fairfield (Wheeler): Baker was a two-time 1st Team All-ECC selection in baseball as well as soccer and basketball at Wheeler. At Fairfield this spring he pitched 21.1 innings with 19 strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA. Anthony Steele, So., Pitcher/1B/OF, Penn State (Shelton): An AllState selection out of Shelton and has played on both sides of the ball at Penn State. He appeared in seven games out of the bullpen this spring and got 97 at bats.

Futures NEW BRITAIN BEES

CJ Brito-Trinidad, So., Infielder, Bowdin (Kent): The prep school product has a tremendous year at Bowdin, hitting .382 with five home runs, 31 RBIs, and 47 runs scored. He also pitched 6.1 innings in relief, allowing just one earned run. Ryan Daniels, Fr., Infielder, UConn (St. Paul): The GameTimeCT All-State selection has been one of the best hitters in the state over the past two years. Daniels helped lead St. Paul to a state championship this spring and will get a look at the next level of pitching this Summer. Anthony Depino, So., Infielder, Rhode Island (Daniel Hand): The Hand third basemen was a GameTimeCT 1st Team All-State selection in 2021 after he hit .400 with five home runs to lead the Tigers to the first Class L state title in school history. This year Depino was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team and was rookie of the week three times. He slashed .281/.436/ .635 with 16 home runs, 39 RBIs and 42 runs scored.

NORWICH SEA UNICORNS

Tyler Kipp, So., Catcher, Fairfield (Masuk): Kipp was an All-State selection out of Masuk in 2021 while claiming All-SWC honors twice. The Fairfield Stag started four games and got 28 at bats in his first season.

Drew Kron, Fr., Outfielder, UConn (Xavier):

Kron just finished his final season of high school baseball as captain of Xavier, which was ranked No. 1 in the state at a point. The All-State selection is committed to UConn and will get some college level reps at Norwich.