PHENOMS
CONNECTICUT
2009 FAST PLASTIC NATIONAL CHAMPIONS | 2017 & 2018 FAST PLASTIC RUNNER UP
TOURNAMENT ROSTER
Josh Pagano (c) – RHP/RHB – Age 34 – Connecticut
2006 Fast Plastic national champion; 2017 Fast Plastic national runner up
Jordan Robles – RHP/RHB – Age 25 – New York
2019 Palisades WBL champion; 2017-2019 Mid Atlantic Wiffle® champion; 2019 Mid Atlantic MVP
Kyle VonSchleusigen – RHP/RHB – Age 21 – Connecticut
2019 Palisades WBL champion; 2019 NWLA Tournament champion
David Wood – RHP/RHB – Age 29 – Georgia
2013 Goldenstick Wiffle®Ball League Georgia region champion
TEAM OVERVIEW
The last three years at the Fast Plastic NCT, Josh Pagano-led teams – including Remember the Rookies in 2017 – marched to the finals only for their run to be ended by C4 each time. For the 2020 United Wiffle®Ball National Championship, the 2019 Phenoms trio of Pagano, Jordan Robles, and David Wood will be joined by Kyle VonSchleusigen, as the team looks to shed their bridesmaid label.
This team is loaded offensively. There is very little Pagano hasn’t seen or done in the batter’s box. He is a tough out in any part of a game or tournament, but he also possess an uncanny ability to come through in the big moments. Robles, too, possess a flair for the dramatic and is one of the sport’s most well-rounded offensive players. Wood was on fire throughout the 2019 Fast Plastic tournament. What VonSchleusigen might lack in terms of consistent on-base capabilities, he more than makes up for with his power.
From a pitching perspective, VonSchleusigen is as much of a replacement as he is an addition. Wood underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this year to repair a torn ligament in his pitching elbow and with the normal rehabilitation time for pitchers being 12 to 15 months after surgery, he will likely be a non-factor on the carpet this October. The pitching trio of Pagano, Robles, and VonSchleusigen rivals that of any other team in the field. The obvious story to watch for with the Phenoms – at least from a pitching perspective – is how they go about utilizing their tremendously talented pitching trio. More specifically there will be some intrigue as to who, if anyone, they will tab to pitch the final game of the tournament – be it against C4 or someone else – should they once again make it that far. One thing is for sure, this Phenoms team is well positioned for another long tournament run. Is this finally the year they deliver the franchise its second national title?
