Two years ago, Nick Castellanos helped lead the Archbishop McCarthy baseball team to its first state title.
A few weeks later, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers and that summer, he began his professional career. But even though he’s two years removed from his days with the Mavericks, Castellanos is still keeping an eye on how his alma mater is doing. Since Castellanos’ graduation, McCarthy has won two more state titles.
On Sunday, Castellanos–a third baseman with the AA Erie SeaWolves–was named MVP of the Futures Game, which showcases some of the minor league’s most talented players. I had the chance to catch up with him about his Futures Game performance and during our conversation, Castellanos said he’s “extremely proud” of McCarthy’s incredible baseball success, especially since his younger brother Ryan has been a part of that success.
“Of course I’ve been watching them,” Nick Castellanos laughed. “I’ve been keeping in touch with them. I have a lot of friends on the team. And I keep in touch with my coaches, they’re a big reason why I’m here. I’m extremely proud of them. To win once is hard, to do it three times is near impossible.”
For their part, the Mavericks are plenty proud of Castellanos too. This past spring, the team traveled to Lakeland to meet with Castellanos–who was then playing for the single-A Lakeland Flying Tigers. And McCarthy coach Rich Bielski said the third-baseman often visits campus when in South Florida.
“He’s so great about coming back and sharing the things he’s learned with our players,” Bielski said. “He’s still approachable. It’s like he hasn’t left and he’s just one of our seniors. Any time he’s in town, he’s here. I think he feels like the players on the team now are all his little brothers.”
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Archbishop McCarthy 4, Tampa Jesuit 1 (FINAL): Jose Brizuela comes on in relief and strikes out the final two batters as the mavericks win their second consecutive Class 4A state title
Mavericks added a run in the top of the fifth inning when Adam Duarte scores after reaching base with a walk. He scored on a fielders choice throwing out Nick Basto at first
Alex Fernandez hits a three-run home run to give the Mavericks a 3-0 lead
The Mavericks had a runner in scoring position in the bottom of thre second but were unable to push him across for a run
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McCarthy baseball coach honored July 7th, 2011
Archbishop McCarthy baseball coach Rick Bielski was named the All-USA Today Coach of the Year.
He led the Mavericks to a 29-3 record and a second consecutive Class 4A state title.
Timmins steps down as Archbishop McCarthy football coach June 13th, 2011
John Timmins, who has been the football coach at Archbishop McCarthy for the past three seasons. has stepped down.
In his three seasons Timmons had a 25-8 record and led the Mavericks to the Class 3A regional finals in 2010.
Athletic director Tony Massaro said the search for a new football coach is underway. He added the school would like to fill the position as soon as possible.
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Archbishop McCarthy baseball moving up in National polls May 18th, 2011
The Archbishop McCarthy baseball team moved to No. 4 in the latest ESPN Rise Fab 50 National Poll released Tuesday, May 17.
The Mavericks moved up from No. 12 after advancing to the Class 4A state semifinals at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie where McCarthy will play Wakulla on Monday, May 23 at 8 p.m.
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Regional baseball championships will be decided on Friday, and four Broward County–Flanagan, Archbishop McCarthy, North Broward Prep and Highlands Christian–are still in the hunt for state championships.
But as the season draws closer to a finish, Flanagan and McCarthy are in line to possibly compete for a bigger prize: the mythical national title.
Both are ranked in three major polls, including the Baseball America/National High School Baseball Coaches poll, the ESPN Powerade Fab 50 and the MaxPreps XCellent 25.
What’s interesting though is how wildly the rankings vary.
In Baseball America’s poll, for example, McCarthy is ranked No. 4, while Flanagan comes in at No. 18. In ESPN’s Powerade Fab 50, the Falcons are No. 2, while McCarthy is No. 12 and in MaxPrep’s poll, the Falcons are again, No. 2 while McCarthy is No. 13.
It doesn’t seem likely either team will be a consensus national champion if they continue their success all the way to the state tournament, but with such high rankings right now, either one could find themselves at the top of at least one poll by season’s end.
Is there one poll in particular baseball fans find more meaningful? Which one is it?
For a full look at each of the polls, click on the links below:
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