This afternoon, Newsday unveiled its list of top baseball underclassmen, and junior Joe Wozny was one of six profiled by Roger Rubin.

_____________________________________________________________

Meet Long Island’s Top 2019 Juniors and Sophomores

The fastball that hits 90 is reason enough to take notice, however Bears coach Dustin Mones saw the 6-foot Wozny blossom into a complete pitcher last season. The righthander’s slider had been something discussed and worked on, but when he started deploying it in games, it was a turning point. “You start with a guy who is a very aggressive pitcher to begin with and then you add this fall-off-the-table slider and he’s really messing with the other teams’ hitters,” Mones said.

Stony Brook played in the public school league last season and Wozny went 5-1 with a save and a 1.50 ERA. He posted a stunning 121 strikeouts in 59 innings. It was no wonder that among his many interested schools, Wozny opted for Connecticut.

Stony Brook is moving to the PSAA for this season as part of its transition to becoming an independent that would play a more regional and national schedule and the Bears’ new league is in for an eyeful.

“If there’s one thing that sets him apart, it’s the will to win,” Mones said. “It’s not just a thing bubbling under the surface, you can see it and feel it.”

When he wasn’t pitching, Wozny saw time at both corner infield positions and could again play significant innings at first base this season. At the plate, he batted .419 with three home runs and 35 RBIs in 20 games last season. Mones said that UConn could experiment with him playing the field in addition to his pitching.

_____________________________________________________________