Lou Fernandez Jr.

Pitching/fielding/hitting instructor

High School: Of his 4 years of High School baseball, played 2 years of varsity baseball for Mike Sheppard Jr at Seton Hall Prep. Earned 3rd team All- Essex County. Went 5-1 with a 1.51 ERA as a Senior. As a Junior, was part of the Seton Hall Prep Team that went 30-1 and ranked No.1 in NJ and No.4 in the USA in 2003. Led team to 25-4 record and No.6 in NJ as a senior.

College: On a 4 year career at Seton Hall University, amassed a 4.26 ERA, in 74 appearances (5th all time in SHU history). 2006 was his best season, leading the team with a 3.06 ERA and being named 1st Team All NJCBA as a relief pitcher. He was among the top 4 pitchers in ERA in his last 3 years of college from 2006-08.

Professional: Entered 1st season of pro baseball with Newark Bears in the Atlantic League in 2010 through an open tryout. Then played a full season into the playoffs with the NJ Jackals in the Cam-Am League. As a 23 year old rookie, appeared in 30 games with a 2-0 record pitching 46 innings.

Coaching Experience: Worked in the field of player development, team coaching, and skill specific training since 2008. Works all types of training from mechanical fundamentals to the collegiate level in baseball.

Esteban Rodriguez

Catching/Hitting/Fielding Instructor

High School: Attended the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School (P.R.B.A.H.S.), a specialized High School for Elite players focusing on the science and practice of baseball. The success of this program is outstanding, over 120 players were drafted by MLB teams in only 11 years of existence. His graduating year, 14 players were selected in the MLB draft including 2 current Major Leaguers. Carlos Correa (Astros) is an Alumni of the P.R.B.A.H.S. Esteban was at the top of his class, ranked in the top 5 catchers in the Caribbean and attended the Excellency Games which are an equivalent to the All-American games in the USA. He also represented the PR World Series team for 9 years since the 9u age group.

College: Attended Charleston Southern University in South Carolina. Moved to Porterville College in California where they were ranked top 10 JUCOS in the country. As the starting catcher he finished that year hitting .324 with 5 HR. Before the draft he had an unfortunate rotator cuff injury which ended his catching career. He played in the Puerto Rico Semi-Pro league for 3 years.

Coaching Experience: Involved in coaching and training since 2009. Personally trained several professional and college players back in his native land of Puerto Rico. Coached at Eastside High School as an assistant since 2012. He was head of player development at Paterson RBI for 3 years and brought his team to the RBI World Series in Texas in 2015. In 2013, he was named the most dedicated instructor.

Lou Fernandez Sr.

Fielding instructor

Our veteran staff member, Lou brings a wealth of experience to the Academy. Mostly serving as head coach, he also assumes responsibilities in running practices, clinics, camps, and private lessons.  Lou bears a great work ethic and coaches with a great deal of energy.

Through the years, he has consistently shown the ability to impart his knowledge of the game to his players through his dynamic personality, communication skills, positive energy, and constant reminder to his players to understand that first and foremost, you are "student-athletes". His influence on player development is evident and he has worked tirelessly on playing the game with passion, hustle, and respect to all its participants while demonstrating class and sportsmanship in victory or defeat.

Lou currently coaches all age groups from 10u-18u. Coaching career includes time with the Union A's baseball club, West Morris Baseball Academy, and Pro Motions Baseball Academy.

A 1976 Graduate of Thomas Jefferson HS in Elizabeth, he earned a full Academic Scholarship to Seton Hall University and played for Mike Sheppard Sr. as a walk on in 1977. Shortly after his freshman year, in efforts to help his ailing father, he left school and baseball to run the family restaurant business. He got back into baseball and volunteered 7 years to North Elizabeth Youth Baseball League, where his sons Lou Jr. and George began a love affair with the most beautiful game on earth! Lou and his wife Linda, live in Union and are grandparents to future Hustlers: Louie III, Vincent, and Chloe.

Matt Rago

Pitching Instructor

High School: Matt played his high school baseball at Governor Livingston as a pitcher. He was an all-conference selection in 2008.

College: Matt was a relief pitcher for the Montclair State Red Hawks from 2008-2011.

Coaching Experience: Matt is entering his 6th season as pitching coach at Governor Livingston High School. During his time at GL, he has helped guide a pitching staff to a 2015 Group 2 state championship. Prior to coaching at GL, Matt spent three seasons on the Montclair State University coaching staff. In his first two seasons, he served as the team’s bullpen coach under two-time national champion Norm Schoenig. He was named the Red Hawk’s pitching coach for the 2013-2014 season. During that time, he led the staff to one of their best statistical seasons in recent years. He helped three pitchers earn all-conference honors, including the Fireman of the Year.

Jose Ledesma

pitching/Hitting instructor

College: A seasoned college pitcher who compiled 68 appearances over the course of 5 seasons at 3 different schools, starting at Rowan-Gloucester where he served as the clubs closer for his 2 year tenure there. After 2 years, Jose transferred to NAIA powerhouse St. Thomas in Miami where the team was ranked in the Top 10 nationally. He served as the clubs primary bullpen option, Jose compiled a breakout 2021 season that resulted in interest from D1 schools. Making his way back north, he landed at the University of Delaware. At the conclusion of his 5th and final collegiate season Jose was invited to play professionally in the MLB draft league compiled of the countries top college undrafted prospects. Establishing himself as a starter for Trenton Thunder, he gained valuable insight and skills which he is looking to transfer over to the next generation of high level pitchers.

Ian Steepy

hitting/fielding instructor

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Mike Sheppard Jr.

Hitting/Fielding Instructor

Coaching Career: Mike Sheppard Jr. is the current head varsity baseball coach for Seton Hall Prep and is one of top and most respected coaches in New Jersey. 2018 will be his 33rd year as a high school head coach. His current record stands at 744 – 196 – 4. 

His teams won 12 Iron Hills Conference-Iron Division Titles, 6 Super Essex Conference-American Division Titles, 15 Greater Newark Tournament Titles, 10 Non-Public “A” North State Titles and 7 Non-Public “A” State Titles. He has sent players to 36 different Division I baseball programs. He has coached 17 players that have gone on to play professional baseball including current Boston Red Sox pitcher and #1 draft choice of the Detroit Tigers Rick Porcello and Joe Martinez.

Mike has been inducted into 4 Halls of Fame including Seton Hall University (1991), Newark, NJ (1995), Seton Hall Prep (2005), and NJSIAA (2006). Among the honors he has earned,  he is Nationally recognized as the American Baseball Coaches Association Region 2 and National Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2007. His teams have finished the season Nationally Ranked in USA Today 10 times, finished ranked #1 in NJ by the Star Ledger 6 times. In 2007 the Prep Pirates were ranked #1 in the country by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Angel Perez

Hitting/Fielding Instructor

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Tino Pardo

Hitting/Fielding Instructor

High School: Paramus Catholic HS

College: Played OF at Nyack College and earned the Gold Glove award (highest fielding percentage in the region).

Coaching Experience: Assisted Nyack college as a track and field coach. Also worked the strength and conditioning program at Nyack. He has trained and coached at Hustle since 2021 working with our youth players and assisting OF play in our HS program. He was also enrolled in 2018-2021 in the Air Force as security forces (military police).

Jeff Disla

Hitting/Fielding Instructor

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