Middletown North Pitcher Talks Surgery,
Defense and Collegiate Plans
14 JUNE 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY TIM MORRIS
Danny Frontera could sense something was
Middletown North pitcher recalled of his early
Frontera, a senior right-handed thrower, talked
to pitchers who had Tommy John surgery, and they
described a popping in the elbow which had signaled
trouble.
he had his arm checked out by the New York Yankees
doctor, and sure enough, he was going to require Tommy
John surgery (reconstruction of the ulnar ligament
in the elbow). Fortunately for Frontera, he hadn’t torn
the ligament completely. But surgery is surgery and
Frontera, who was then a sophomore at North and a
promising prospect, was concerned. What would the
surgery mean for his future?
Frontera had the surgery in the fall of his sophomore season and by
the spring, although not ready to pitch, was able to join the Lions as a designated
hitter. Despite being an ace on the mound, Frontera is an outstanding
hitter and the team’s starting shortstop.
months, I was able to comeback and hit as a DH. It was important to be a
Frontera, who had started two games for Middletown North and appeared
in two others as a freshman in 2018, was fully recovered and ready
to become the Lions’ ace in 2020, but those plans were put on hold by the
pandemic. Luckily, he was able to pitch last summer and fall with his travel
team, the Jersey Giants.
Having done all the rehab, the biggest test for the Lion hurler was
getting over the mental barrier of not being tentative, not holding back
when throwing. Like everyone who had been through the surgery, fear of
reinjuring his throwing arm weighed heavily. It took a couple of outings
and he could pitch freely holding nothing back.
After clearing the mental hurdle, Frontera learned that he had indeed
come back 100 percent. Much to his delight, he was even better than before.
His fastball, which was clocked around 86 mph before, was now going above
90. It made his fastball even more of a dominant pitch, added to a change-up
and curve ball, and gave him a complete arsenal to go after batters.
He is spearheading a Middletown North resurgence. The Lions are 7-2 overall,
and Frontera is back better than ever, pitching without any restrictions.
The senior is 2-1 with 44 strikeouts in 24 innings. He
has given up just 13 hits and allowed only four earned
runs in that time, and just as impressive is his control.
He has walked only four batters.
In his four starts, Frontera has pitched complete
games three times, such has been his dominance.
-
ing one for the ages. Against Long Branch in a 10-0
Lion win, 17 of the Green Wave’s 18 outs were via
the strikeout.
He might have added that he has had his stuff
all the time.
Despite a fastball topping 90, Frontera noted that
his two-strike strikeout pitch is a curve ball in the dirt
that has hitters chasing.
Head Coach Ryan McCabe praised the dedication
his ace showed in persevering through rehab and his
approach to pitching in being aggressive.
throws three pitches for strikes, and his pitches have
Frontera may be a strikeout pitcher, but he doles out credit to the Lion
defense in support of him.
adding that the defense takes pressure off him.
The senior also praised his catcher Andrew Lombardi.
Middletown North missed out on what was supposed to be a building
year in 2020. Much to the surprise of many, the Lions, who won just seven
games in 2019 and had only three players on this year’s roster who had
played that year, have improved beyond expectations. It hasn’t come as a
surprise to Frontera and his teammates.
-
-
Led by Frontera and another senior ace, Colin Dowlen, the Lions are
contenders for the A North Division championship and on their way to qualifying
for postseason tournament play, including the state playoffs.
Making the Lions’ journey so much more enjoyable for Frontera is
sharing it with his brother, Ryan Frontera, a sophomore who plays third
and also pitches.
Wherever the season takes the Lions, there is more baseball ahead for
their star pitcher. He’s headed to Seton Hall University to play baseball for
the Pirates. He signed in the fall, explaining that the Pirate coach staff was
the big reason for his decision.
/TheJournalNJ.com