HNT/GMC preseason Top 10

(last year’s record noted)

1. St. Joseph (18-11)

The Falcons return a loaded team after winning last year’s GMC Tournament, including catcher Mark Gialluisi (Boston College) and pitchers Andrew Goldan (Rutgers) and Donovan Zsak (University of Virginia).

2. South Brunswick (14-10)

Our final No. 2 last season brings back 13 seniors led by junior ace Joey Tuttoilmondo and slugger Peter Cortez.

3. Edison (16-8)

The Eagles lose six seniors, but have a strong base led by slugger/ace Sal Della Fave (7 HR, 26 RBI), pitcher Jaxon Appelman (Coastal Carolina) and catcher Charlie Taub (Maine).

4. Old Bridge (9-18)

The Knights return six starters from a team that got hot down the stretch and has two potential aces in Justin Herbstman (Virginia Tech) and Christian Krause (Hartford).

5. Middlesex (22-4)

The defending Group 1 champs have some holes to fill, but they return a handful of starters and pitcher Stephen Young – plus they know how to win.

6. Spotswood (20-7)

The Chargers return 118 1/3 innings and 12 wins from last spring’s successful season led by junior ace/shortstop and All-GMC selection Casey Cumiskey.

7. North Brunswick (17-10-1)

Having an ace makes such a difference, and the Raiders roll out Zachary Konstantinovsky (Rutgers), who is also one of the team’s best hitters along with catcher/infielder Frankie Garbolino.

8. East Brunswick (11-11)

After a season with several close loses, the Bears return pitchers Dustin McGuinness and Michael Marchese who excelled as underclassmen and some pop led by Romeo Diaz.

9. Monroe (14-7)

The co-Red Division champs have to replace 13 seniors, but cycles are part of high school sports and infielders Nick Sellari (.344) and Trevor Wallace (.354) should get on base.

10. South Plainfield (20-5-1)

The Tigers have some mystery after returning two starters, but South Plainfield is a successful, tradition-rich program with no shortage of players looking to breakout.

Email: amendlowitz@njpressmedia.com

HNT/GMC Baseball: Five storylines to watch, preseason Top 10 rankings (mycentraljersey.com)