When high school spring sports returned in 2021, there was plenty of uncertainty among each team about the talent it had after the previous season was canceled due to Covid-19. Numerous players with no varsity experience were going to get some, whether they were ready or not.
One of the more pleasant occurrences for Steinert’s baseball team was the emergence of senior outfielder Cody Young and junior shortstop/third baseman Evan Bresnen. Young led the team in batting average and hits in his only varsity season before taking his athletic talents to the Rowan football team this year.
Fortunately for coach Brian “The Chef” Giallella, Bresnen has returned for another season after leading the Spartans with 16 RBI, and finishing second among regulars in average (.362), third in hits (21) and second in walks (10). His production helped provide protection in the lineup for Joey Gmitter, who is also back this year, Young and Jordan Nitti, who all had solid seasons.
“He really did help them a lot; he came into his own,” Giallella said. “It felt like last year we were always on the run. We started late, we got a two-week quarantine period and it felt like we were always on the run throughout the year. But the team we did have gave those underclassmen a chance to play varsity baseball and get their feet wet, and I think that’s immeasurable. That’s where I think it’s helped tremendously this year.”
Although Bresnen experienced a slight slump in mid-April, he carried last year’s success into this season early in the month.
On April 2 he had a hit and run scored in a win over Ewing; followed by a stellar effort against Delbarton in which he went 2-for-3 with a walk, double, two-run homer and two runs scored. He was also robbed of a third hit by a great outfield catch. After going hitless in his first three at-bats the next game, Bresnen delivered a walk-off sacrifice fly to defeat Hightstown.
Through the Spartans 8-2 start, Bresnen was hitting .286 with eight runs scored and five RBI. His eight walks had his on-base percentage at .444. Combined with a .465 slugging percentage the Kean-bound infielder had an OPS of .909.
“He’s a gap hitter, a doubles guy, but he does have that power because he has such a short swing,” Giallella said. “If the pitch is up a little bit, he has a real compact swing; he can see the ball and it can take off. We can see it in practice, but it’s not like he’s going up there trying to hit home runs or trying to look for balls to drive. He just has a short compact swing.”
Bresnen agrees with that. He feels he can hit the ball far, but does not try to do so every time up.
“I would say I’m a power hitter, but I can definitely put the ball in play when I have to,” he said. “I just look to hit the ball where it’s pitched and make good contact. If it’s an outside pitch just try to take it to right, If it’s in, same thing, try and pull it to left. Just take it where it’s pitched.”
Batting No. 2 in the lineup, Bresnen has other responsibilities as well, such as moving leadoff hitter Braeden Nitti over when he gets on base.
“He can do those things too,” Giallella said. “He can bunt when he has to. There are definitely other things I need from him. He can do a lot. There’s nothing wrong with that. Have a little power and play some small ball too.”
Bresnen began his career in Sunnybrae Little League, where his 8-year-old All-Star team won districts. He played for Hamilton Babe Ruth at age 13 before moving on to travel ball with the Niners Baseball Club in Wall.
“I played soccer and basketball but I always knew baseball was my biggest sport,” Bresnen said. “I always had a passion for this. I’ve always been an infielder but as a young kid I played a little outfield and even caught a little bit.”
He came to Steinert as a shortstop, which is where he played for the freshman and JV team as a ninth-grader. Unfortunately for Bresnen and everyone else, the next season was wiped out.
“I believe he was gonna play varsity as a sophomore,” Giallella said. “He was definitely good enough to be there. That was our plan.”
Thus, the plan went into effect last year, with Bresnen starting 20 of 21 games and compiling an OPS of .939.
“It was a solid year, but there’s always room for improvement, that’s the way I look at it,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I expected to hit .300. I just wanted to play with confidence and realize I could play with anyone. If you do that you’ll have success.”
After being away from scholastic baseball for a year; last season was a difficult jump for players in their first year of varsity. Bresnen noticed a difference.
“The game moves faster,” he said. “Everything about it. Faster pitching, kids get faster and get stronger. That’s the biggest adjustment. And everyone’s smarter, there’s good coaching.”
After starting the season at short, Bresnen was eventually moved to third base, which is where he remained this year.
“Wherever they put me, I just play my game,” he said.
“He ended up feeling more comfortable at third so we made the switch over to third midway through the season,” Giallella said. “He really has put a lot of time and effort into his defensive game. He’s fallen into the position and been comfortable with it.
“Offensively, we always knew he could hit. He could hit when he was younger. We followed him, we saw how he improved. With the JV year he had, he’s really put a lot of time in. He worked hard in the off-season, came in stronger this year and is more fit.”
That doesn’t surprise Giallella, considering the kind of player Bresnen is.
“He has a quiet confidence, I would say,” the Chef noted. “He’s just a baseball player, we knew that from the beginning. A guy that wants to be out there and play. ‘Gamer’ would be a great word for him.”
Third baseman Evan Bresnen has a .444 on-base percentage for the 8-2 Steinert Spartans. (Photo by Rich Fisher.),
