5 Star Metro
NY/NJ Travel Baseball Teams
The 5 Star Metro NY/NJ travel baseball program is powered by the Cadets Player Development Academy. While we certainly love to win, our primary goal is not to chase tournament trophies. We want to develop ballplayers and create a structured, disciplined and positive environment that allows our athletes to maximize their capabilities and prepare for future success in baseball. We strive to develop confidence, mental toughness, and self-esteem as well as help players understand that their success is a direct result of their hard work. We hope that they will cultivate lifelong friendships with their teammates and respect the game of baseball, coaches, teammates, umpires and opponents.
Our Program Offers:
- Tournaments: 11 total (3 in fall, 8 in summer).
- Recruiting Resources: Access to PBR Showcase, College Fit website, and recruiting seminars on communication and roles in the process.
- College Coaches Camps: Three weeks (Nov-Dec) with four colleges focusing on hitting and defense.
- Facility Access: Year-round usage during non-peak and off-peak hours.
- Practices: 2-3 per week in-season.
- Opportunities: National event invites, off-season evaluations, and Team Game Changer membership.
- Mental Performance: Seminar with Steve Springer and three off-season team gatherings for recruiting discussions.
5 STAR METRO NY/NJ COACHES
Angel L. Lugo
5 Star Metro - 2026 Coach
Coach Lugo, drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1988 as a shortstop, transitioned to pitching with the Marlins and Blue Jays. A three-time All-City player from Grady High School in Brooklyn, he later founded the Cadets Player Development Academy. Certified by Brent Pourciau in the Top Velocity Pitching Program, he became a leading instructor and developed several specialized programs, including the Elite Player Development Academy and Top Gun Pitching Program, producing top local players and MLB prospects.
Skyler Ohrvall
Assistant Coach
A native of Fishkill, Skylar graduated from nearby John Jay Senior HS before playing collegiately at SUNY Brockport, obtaining a degree in Physical Education. Skylar is currently a physical education teacher and continues to coach at the high school and travel level.
Jonathan Caceres
Assistant Coach
Jonathan joins us from his hometown of San Juan, PR with an abundance of experience in the game, ranging from coaching youth travel baseball to coaching and playing in the Hudson Valley National Adult Baseball Association. Jonathan holds a Coaches Certification with USA Baseball, and is a member of the Hudson Valley Amateur Baseball Umpire Association. In the spring of 2022, Jonathan was also an assistant baseball coach for the Wappingers Middle School modified team that went undefeated.
John Barone
5 Star Metro - 13U Coach
Coach Barone is an Iona University graduate, where he was a four-year starter and two-year captain, earning MAAC All-Conference honors. After playing professionally for three years in the Frontier and Northern Leagues, he became an assistant coach at Iona, focusing on pitching and helping six players, including three pitchers, advance to professional baseball.
With nearly a decade of youth coaching experience, he has worked with the Town of Poughkeepsie Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball League and the Poughkeepsie Lightning travel team, and he serves on the league's Board of Directors.
Diego Gonzalez
Assistant Coach
Diego led Baruch College Campus HS to its first playoff appearance and later captained Benjamin N. Cardozo HS to a 35-2 record. A New York City Mayor’s Cup All-Star in 2012, he played at Hofstra and Queens College, earning NACBL All-Star honors in 2015. Currently coaching for 5 Star National Metro and serving as Assistant Director of Player Development for CPDA, he holds a USA Baseball Coaches Certification and is a member of the ABCA. Diego is dedicated to developing young talent in baseball.
Mark Bonilla
5 Star Metro - 2027 Coach
Mark, a Bronx native, graduated from St. Raymond's HS and played college baseball at Dominican University, where he earned a spot in the Athletic Hall of Fame, before finishing at Hofstra. He transitioned to coaching, developing players who have gone on to compete at professional and major college levels. Currently, he is the Director of Athletics at All Hallows HS and coaches with 5 Star National Metro in the summer, dedicated to nurturing young talent.
Isidoros "Ross" Bartziokas
5 Star Metro - 2026 Coach
Originally from Middletown, NY, Ross is a graduate of Minisink Valley High School. He attended the College of Mount Saint Vincent (CMSV) and was an integral part of the Dolphins Baseball team from 2017-2022. He was a five-year starter as well as one of the Team Captains for three years. As an infielder he was selected to the Skyline's Second-Team All Conference in 2021.
Ross currently serves as the hitting and infield coach at the Stevens Institute of Technology. He is also a Head Coach for 5Star National Metro travel baseball.