Baseball: Aces, pitchers to watch in the 2024 Section 1 playoffs

It can be an arms race to the section title, especially with the Section 1 baseball tournament transitioning to a single-elimination tournament after a modified double-elimination format, there is little room for error and pitching depth will be highly rewarded.

Some teams have the luxury of having an ace and other shutdown pitchers.

Here's a look at some pitchers in each class that are coming into the postseason hot. They can carry their respective teams to a run, or potentially spoil their opposing teams' postseason plans.

Class AAA

Owen Brennen, So., Ossining: He took a big step forward this season as a sophomore and opposing coaches took notice. Brennen has a 2.81 ERA, with 36 strikeouts over a team-high 42.1 innings.

Cris Cespedes, Sr., North Rockland: Standing in a 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, the Maryland-committed ace has a great frame and throws with plenty of heat. He had a tough outing against Ketcham at the end of the season, but still managed to strikeout nine batters in the loss, ending the regular season with a 3.45 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 24.1 innings.

Connor Durkin, Sr., Ketcham: Durkin has played a bigger role in Ketcham's pitching rotation this year and he is thriving. The SUNY Cortland-committed southpaw is 4-0, with a 1.56 ERA, 37 strikeouts and 15 walks.

Jordany German, Jr., Port Chester: German elevated his game to new heights this season and could help the Rams orchestrate an upset if he's on the mound. The Port Chester strikeout artist is 5-1 this season, with a 1.24 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 56 innings. His record also doesn't fully reflect the four no-decisions where he exited the game tied or with the lead.

Chase Kaplan, So., Ossining: Like Brennen, Kaplan took forward strides as a sophomore and played a big role in the Pride's improved season after last year. Kaplan has a 1.62 ERA, with 28 strikeouts over 34.2 innings.

Cole Mackin, Jr., Arlington: The Admirals have multiple starters they can rely on and three different pitchers with an ERA of 2.50 or lower. Opposing coaches described Mackin as a "problem" with the way he's able to get to work. This season, he has a 5-0 record, with a 1.54 ERA, 21 strikeouts and seven walks over 23 innings.

Ryan Maltbie, Jr., North Rockland: Everyone knows about his Power 5-caliber teammate, Cespedes, but don't sleep on Maltbie, who has been effective for the Red Raiders. Maltbie has a 7-1 record, with a 1.96 ERA, 51 strikeouts and just 12 walks across a team-high 42.2 innings.

Ryan Mealy, Sr., Ketcham: He was one of the catalysts in last season's state title run, and the Monmouth-committed standout continues to play a big part. Mealy is unflappable and efficient on the mound. This season, he is 4-1, with a 1.24 ERA, 44 strikeouts and just five walks allowed over 28 innings.

Sammy Mendez, Sr., White Plains: Since transferring back to White Plains after a solid junior season at Kennedy Catholic, Mendez has made an impact for the Tigers. The Mercy-bound senior has a 2.60 ERA, with 50 strikeouts and 16 walks over 37.2 innings. White Plains has a chance to surprise some teams if he's on the mound.

Spencer Natoli, Jr., John Jay-East Fishkill: After a solid sophomore debut, Natoli remains one of the key members of the Patriots' pitching staff, right behind Seipp. Natoli has a 2.50 ERA, with 32 strikeouts and eight walks, and he's even come out in relief to close out games as well.

Logan Pulitano, Sr., Arlington: Another member of the Admirals' leading trio on the mound, Pulitano is 4-1, with a 2.10 ERA, 28 strikeouts and 10 walks over 27 innings.

Joe Ribaudo, Sr., Arlington: He has good command, tough to hit against, and rarely gives freebies. Ribaudo is 5-0, with a 2.48 ERA and 33 strikeouts. He has only walked four batters over 31 innings this season.

Gabe Roland, Sr., Mamaroneck: Roland leads the Tigers in ERA (1.25), strikeouts (37) and innings pitched (33.2).

Landon Seipp, Jr., John Jay-East Fishkill: It's been a breakout year for Seipp, and he's shown that he's more than ready for high-pressure playoff games, emerging on the winning side of 1-0 pitchers' duels against the likes of Ketcham and Rye. Seipp is 4-0, with a 1.36 ERA, 38 strikeouts and just seven walks.

Riley Weatherwax, Sr., Ketcham: The Penn State commit shined on the big stage last season, earning Section 1 Class AA finals MVP honors, but also throwing gems in the state regional final and in the Class AA state finals. He's followed up with another great season at 4-0 this year, with a 1.25 ERA and 46 strikeouts over 28 innings.

Class AA

Zach Bond, So., Horace Greeley: The Quakers' sophomore has been lights out this season. He is 2-2, with a 0.97 ERA, 37 strikeouts and just seven walks allowed over 28.2 innings. He has held opponents to a .185 batting average.

Tyler Castrataro, Sr., Mahopac: The Hofstra commit can impact the games in a variety of ways. As a pitcher, he has a 2.45 ERA and 43 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .167 batting average over 25.2 innings.

Marco Citro, Sr., Harrison: The Huskies' ace is dangerous, especially when he gets into a groove. This season he is 4-3, with a 0.78 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 45 innings. The Holy Cross commit has held opponents to a .130 batting average.

Tyler DeBrocky, Sr., Mahopac: The other half of Mahopac's one-two punch, the Canisius commit is also solid at the plate and on the mound. As a pitcher, he has a 2.18 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 25.2 innings. Opponents are batting just .112 against him, and he recently threw a no-hitter against Horace Greeley.

Michael Goodman, Sr., Clarkstown North: The Rams have been on a roll in the second half of the season, and the Delaware commit can help them keep it rolling through the postseason. Goodman is 2-1, with a 2.44 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 28.2 innings. He doesn't issue many walks either.

Andrew Kapica, Jr., Somers: The Fordham commit can help the 11th-seeded Tuskers potentially put some teams on upset alert. Kapica is 3-2 this season, with a 1.51 ERA, 50 strikeouts and 17 walks, while holding opponents to a .187 batting average.

Tyler Renz, Sr., Fox Lane: The St. John's-bound star hardly any needs introductions at this point, but this season, he is 5-1, with a 1.37 ERA, 63 strikeouts and 16 walks over 41 innings. His lone loss came from a 1-0 duel against Ketcham to end the regular season, where he gave up just three hits to the Storm.

Ben Schulman, Jr., Horace Greeley: He's made limited appearances this season, so whether or not he pitches in the postseason will be a mystery, but if this Virginia commit takes the mound, he could cause some problems.

Connor Southwell, Sr., Suffern: The Boston College commit is enjoying a phenomenal senior year. The Suffern southpaw has a 0.92 ERA, with 61 strikeouts and 18 walks over 38 innings. He made seven starts this year and has a 4-2 record, which includes five shutout innings in a 2-0 win over Arlington and a loss to Ketcham where he didn't give up any earned runs.

Jake Warnock, Sr., Eastchester: The Manhattanville-bound senior has a 5-2 record, with a 2.18 ERA and 70 strikeouts over a team-high 41.2 innings.

Class A

Nick DiMaso, Jr., Panas: He was the Section 1 Class A finals MVP as a sophomore, and he's enjoying another solid year for the Panthers. DiMaso is 4-0, with a 1.77 ERA, 22 strikeouts and just four walks allowed over 31.2 innings.

Alex Enea, Sr., Panas: The Albany-committed Enea is efficient and he has contributed well on the mound for the Panthers. This year, he is 3-0, with a 1.84 ERA, 34 strikeouts and just five walks allowed over 26.2 innings.

Nick Fassert, Sr., John Jay-Cross River: Fassert is feasting at the plate and on the mound for the Wolves this year. As a pitcher, the senior is leading the charge with a 9-1 record, 1.29 ERA and 86 strikeouts. He surrendered just 10 walks over 54 innings, while keeping opponents to a .146 batting average.

Ben Fishel, Sr., Tappan Zee: The Dutchmen center fielder might not start on the mound, but you definitely don't want to see him. The Columbia commit is the closer and can provide extended outings in relief to change the game. Fishel is 4-for-4 in save opportunities but he's also made a team-high nine appearances, with a 1.01 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 20.2 innings, which is the third-most on the team. He's only allowed eight hits all year, limiting opponents to a .107 batting average.

Shep Griffiths, Sr., Rye: After a fantastic junior season, Griffiths has followed up with another lights out year for the Class A-contending Garnets. He is 5-1, with a 0.84 ERA and 61 strikeouts over 41.1 innings. His lone loss came in a 1-0 duel against John Jay-East Fishkill. Griffiths has only surrendered five earned runs and 19 hits this year.

Kaleb Hetzel, So., Tappan Zee: It's been a breakout season for Hetzel, who is 6-0 in seven starts for the Dutchmen. He has a 1.38 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 30.1 innings.

Aidan Kempf, Sr., Nanuet: After missing all of last season due to injury, Kempf is enjoying a big comeback year and is a catalyst in the Golden Knights' turnaround season. The Pace commit is 6-0, with four complete-game wins, and a 1.40 ERA. He has 95 strikeouts, 13 walks, and a 0.92 WHIP over 50 innings. He has held opponents to a .134 batting average.

Class B

Charlie Bateman, Sr., Pleasantville: Bateman has played a big role in the Panthers' turnaround season, from going 7-13 last season to 14-6 this year. Bateman is 5-1 on the mound, with a 1.98 ERA, 44 strikeouts and 10 walks over 31.1 innings.

Dom Benedetto, Jr., Putnam Valley: The Tigers are a sleeper pick in Class B, and it'll be up to their lead pitching tandem to set the tone. Benedetto is 4-0, with a 2.10 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 36.2 innings.

Connor Benvenuto, Sr., Albertus Magnus: When the Falcons send him out on the mound, it's closing time. Last year, he had a 0.00 ERA across 14 appearances, with seven saves. He remains effective, holding a 1.19 ERA, with 19 strikeouts and just two walks over 17.2 innings of action. He thrives in save situations or in extended relief outings and is tough to crack.

Connor Flynn, Sr., Putnam Valley: The other half of the Tigers' pitching tandem, Flynn is 5-1, with a 1.69 ERA and 57 strikeouts over 41.1 innings.

Eli Goldman, Jr., Rye Neck: A solid second option behind Katsaros, Goldman has enjoyed a great season of his own. He is 5-0, with one save, and pitched the way to victory in half of Rye Neck's league games. He has a 1.16 ERA, with 47 strikeouts over 42 innings pitched.

George Katsaros, Sr., Rye Neck: Katsaros saved his best for last and is enjoying a standout senior year. This season, he is 8-2, with a 1.17 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 59.2 innings. He also has a 0.939 WHIP and held opponents to a .129 batting average.

Andrew Kim, Jr., Croton-Harmon: Pitching staff injuries pushed Kim into a bigger role for the contending Tigers, and he's stepped up. Kim has a 2.91 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 45.2 innings.

Andrew Rogovic, Sr., Blind Brook: He's been limited this season due to a severe blister on his hand, but Rogovic gradually returned to the mound towards the end of the regular season. The Northeastern commit can quickly change the dynamic of the Class B playoffs if he pitches for the 11th-seeded Trojans. This year, he has a 0.00 ERA, with 41 strikeouts and nine walks over 19 innings.

Pat Veintimilla, Sr., Albertus Magnus: The Saint Joseph's-committed ace and last year's Section 1 Class B finals MVP recently hit the 100-career strikeout milestone and is off to another solid season. Veintimilla has a 5-1 record, 2.22 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 34.2 innings of action.

Class C

Connor Brice, So., Tuckahoe: The Tuckahoe sophomore has been lights out in Class C, boasting a 5-0 record, with a 0.63 ERA, 40 strikeouts and nine walks over 22 innings.

Jax Colacicco, Sr., Tuckahoe: A multi-sport talent who played a big role in getting the Tigers to the state finals last year, Colacicco has a 2.73 ERA, with 43 strikeouts and just eight walks allowed over a team-high 23 innings.

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Baseball aces and pitchers to watch in the 2024 Section 1 playoffs