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2025 New England High School Team Previews

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2025 Spring Team Preview: St. John’s Prep (MA)

DANVERS, Ma. - Pitching depth and defensive experience bring premium optimism to the outlook at St. John’s Prep this spring.

“We have a lot of experience,” explained Dan Letarte, who points to more than 100 guys playing college baseball as the highlight of his time at St. John’s Prep. “We have six out of nine position players back.”

The biggest question mark, according to the 13th-year head coach, is behind the plate after losing one catcher now at Maryland and another at St. Lawrence.

Seniors Mike Petromelis and Cody Belanger along with sophomore Connor Durney are battling for playing time at catcher. But no matter who is in that position, they should be aided by an impressive group of pitchers.

Braeden Hurley and Will Shaheen are back after having big seasons a year ago. Hurley, a senior left-handed pitcher committed to Bowdoin, was 6-0 with a 0.93 ERA while Harvard signee Shaheen, the 10th-rated senior shortstop in New England, was 1-0 with a pair of saves and a 2.03 ERA.

While “unproven after that” according to Letarte, there is a lot of promise in senior southpaws Nathan Hall and Thomas Butler along with senior right-hander Rowan Cormier, a Rivier College recruit.

“We should have a solid and deep staff,” related Letarte, who has a career coaching record of 155-59.

Shaheen, who batted .335 with one home run, 16 RBIs and seven stolen bases during a 15-7 season at St. John’s Prep in 2024, will anchor the defense at shortstop with James Willett, the 13th-rated senior third baseman in New England, at the hot corner. A Bowdoin commit, Willett hit .265 with a pair of homers and 10 RBIs a year ago.

Senior Jack Difilippo returns at first with another senior, Tyler Spear, looking for playing time. Junior Christian McCarthy returns at second base looking for another big year after batting .320 and driving in seven runs in 2024.

Nic Lembo, “the best defensive center fielder I’ve ever had” according to Letarte, will lead the way in the outfield, with a pair of senior newcomers at the corners, Vasili Scangas in right and Dylan Gaudet in left. Lebo, a High Point commit, hit three home runs and drove in 16 while averaging .295 last season. Scangas is a Suffolk University signee

Senior Jeff Quigley brings depth to the Eagles in the outfield and at pitcher.

“I like the senior leadership,” Letarte pointed out. “These guys play hard. I feel we’re ahead of where we were last year at this point.”

With 131 candidates between the freshman and senior levels, Letarte plans to keep around 78 players this season.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Letarte said of the amount of players battling to be part of the program.

“Depth of the pitching staff will give us a shot,” Letarte said in looking ahead at the 2025 campaign. “Infield experience is important and we have everyone back but one (Cameron LaGrassa, now at Brown).”

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