“Stafura’s baseball IQ is the best I’ve seen from a high school player. He not only hits for power, he uses the whole field. And with his speed, if he gets on first base, it’s almost an automatic triple. Defensively, he’s the best player in New York.”

C.J. Riefenhauser

Head Coach head coach at Yorktown High

Athletic Excellence

At the time of his selection, the 6-foot, 192-pound senior shortstop had led the Panthers to a 23-3 record, a sectional title and a berth in the Class A state tournament. Stafura batted .562 through 26 games, with 10 home runs, 37 RBI, 27 stolen bases and a slugging percentage of 1.200. A Rawlings/Perfect Game Preseason First Team All-American, he was named league MVP and he’s a three-time All-Section selection. He’s ranked as the nation’s No. 34 prospect in the Class of 2023 by Perfect Game USA.

Academic Achievement

Stafura has maintained an A average in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball on scholarship at Clemson University this fall, but is projected as an early-round selection in July’s Major League Baseball draft.

Exemplary Character

Stafura has volunteered locally on behalf of a food pantry, toy-donation drives and youth baseball programs.