(Editor’s Note: This is the eighth installment of the Up Next series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we featured, Jack Mulligan, Alex Pagano, Quincy Gibbs, Michael Cotto, Charlie Edwards, Evan Picciano and Nick Lawrence. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.)
(Class of 2028) Robbie Mascia leads the game off for @thecanesbb with a pull side hr to get the scoring going early in the 1st.
2028 GRAD | C/3B, MIF, OF | COMMACK, NY pic.twitter.com/1sLkv0Rtyy
Coachem Media (@Coachem_media) July 23, 2025
When we last spoke to Robbie Mascia, he was a 12-year-old coming off a mythical season in which he hit 24 homers in 53 games playing exclusively in PG events. His town team, the LI Rebels, ran roughshod through all of their competition, thanks to players like Robbie, Luke Krzemienski and Cooper Schramm.
Since then, all he has done is make varsity as an 8th grade catcher, start every game on a Long Island Championship winning team and lead the team in hitting. Then he led the team in hitting again as a freshman and was named All-County.
The difference was that, for the first time this decade, Commack did not capture the Suffolk County Championship. It was a rare down year for the Cougars who were eliminated by Walt Whitman.
Commack head coach Matt Salmon made the decision to call up Robbie as an eighth grader on a veteran-heavy team.
“Was I comfortable calling him up? At first I would say it was tricky knowing we had Evan Kay and Ryan Krzemienski who were two dominant pitchers. But I spoke to them and they both said they had thrown bullpens to him. So knowing that the two pitchers who would throw the most innings were good with it made it easier.”
In terms of talent, the decision was easy, according to Salmon.
“It was clear right away that he could handle it. We had always had good catchers at Commack. We had Nick Gnardellis and Anthony Chiappetta the year before. We had Vinny Pagano and the Carullo brothers. Before that, we had Anthony Lambroia and Drew Silverman. Robbie fit right in with the team and there was no jealousy – not even the backup catcher who was two years older.”
Mascia made the decision pay immediate dividends as he not only caught every game as an eighth grader but led the team in hitting and handled their talented pitching just fine on their way to reaching the NYS Semifinals in Binghamton.
Last year, he showed his versatility – also playing SS and 2B. He never missed a game. They’ll continue to play him at other positions in order to keep his bat in the lineup. Salmon noted that while he led the team in hitting, there wasn’t many run-scoring opportunities for him as a leadoff batter and with their team’s offense taking a step back from previous years. Their goal this year is to have him continue to improve but also to allow him to drive in more runs.
“We are going to have more seasoned hitters around him. He won’t be the only name in the lineup. Moving forward, we expect him to drive in more runs.”
He certainly looks ready for the challenge.
According to Salmon, he’s the only one that is allowed to feed the machine when Robbie is taking batting practice.
“If you watch him take BP – it’s dangerous. He’s knocked over the machine three times already. He’s ripped the zip ties on the batting cage. If the ball is going to hit a pole and hit someone on the head, I want it to be me.”
Salmon spoke highly of his work ethic and intangibles.
“We’ve had many hard workers over the years. We had guys like Jesse Berardi. Robbie works as hard as any of them. And it’s not just baseball. Everything he does, he approaches it the same way he approaches baseball. He’s very disciplined, he’s a very hard worker and he keeps wanting more. He has a 100 weighted average and always does the right thing.”
Mascia is considered among the top five players in his class in NY. He seems on the fast track to play high-end Division-I baseball.
“I’ll say this – whoever comes to see him play, I think they’ll offer him. He’s that good.”
He proved just how talented he is this summer while playing for Canes National. He slashed .429/.564/.714 with a 1.278 OPS. He hit three homers, six triples, drew 21 walks and stole 30 bases.
I spoke to Robbie and here’s what he had to say…
Can you explain what it was like being a part of a Long Island Championship winning team as an 8th grader? How long would say it took to get comfortable to playing at the varsity level?
Being a part of the LIC winning team as an 8th grader was truly surreal. I never would’ve imagined that I would be on the team as an 8th grader, let alone winning the LIC and having the experience I had. I’ve never been surrounded by that many people that played for one another and would do anything to win.
What has been the best experience you’ve had playing summer ball over the past few years?
The best experience I’ve had playing travel ball over the past few years was this past summer/fall with the Canes. Everyday I showed up to the field surrounded by the best players in the country which not only made me a better player but also a better teammate. I was being given the opportunity of being able to play against the best of the best and on top of that, having a ton of fun with some of my now closest friends.
Goals for 2026?
My goals for 2026 are to bring a state championship home to Commack and to be the best version of myself I can possibly be. I want to make everyone around me better everyday.
With your sophomore season fast approaching, have you begun thinking about what type of college you would like to attend?
College wise, I want to go to a school where I have a chance to play right away and where there is a winning history and culture.
With baseball consuming a lot of your time, what do you enjoy doing to decompress from it? What are some of your other hobbies?
In my free time, I like to play pickup basketball with my friends and play video games with them. I also like to listen to music and watch TV shows or movies with my family and spend time with them.
How would you describe the culture of Commack baseball? There’s been such a high standard in recent years, what is it about the program that has allowed them to have such massive success?
The culture of Commack baseball is one of a kind. It is a winning culture full of players ready to get to work. We all play for one another and play every game like it is our last. Our preparation and mindset coming into every game allows us to win as much as we do.