Farrell Baseball
Monsignor Farrell Senior Joe Raimonda Accepts Full Division-I Baseball Scholarship to the University of Central Florida
Senior Joe Raimonda and his parents at his scholarship signing ceremony at Monsignor Farrell
Monsignor Farrell High School senior Joe Raimonda has accepted a full scholarship to play Division-I baseball at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. The soon-to-be UCF Knight was surrounded by family, his Farrell coaches, teachers, and teammates during a recent signing ceremony at Farrell.
“We could not be happier and more proud of Joe,” said Lou Tobacco, President of Monsignor Farrell High School. “His work ethic in the classroom, on the field, and his commitment to living his life as a faithful man of Monsignor Farrell have been recognized by UCF and rewarded with a full scholarship.”
Raimonda was all smiles when asked why he chose UCF. “There was nothing I didn’t like about the school when I visited,” he explained. “I loved the campus, facilities, and the atmosphere.” The strength of their baseball program and being a part of the Big-12 Conference were also part of his decision to accept the Knight’s scholarship offer. Raimonda also noted how comfortable he and his family felt with the UCF baseball staff.
“It was a great fit,” he admitted. “My family and I really appreciated how honest and nice the coaches were during the recruiting process.”
“A full scholarship to play baseball at a Big-12 school is a big deal,” said Larry Musanti, Principal of Monsignor Farrell, and former head baseball coach for the Lions. “Having the grades and talent to receive a full scholarship to UCF is an incredible achievement.”
Raimonda began his Farrell baseball career as a freshman on the junior varsity team. The 6’6” lefty was called up to the varsity as a sophomore in 2023 after beginning the season on the JV. “We knew after seeing Joe play a few games that he belonged on the varsity,” recalled Farrell’s head coach Bobby Mulligan.
Senior Joe Raimonda and his parents (seated) with Farrell administration and coaches at his scholarship signing ceremony at Monsignor Farrell
Since being called up, Raimonda has led the Farrell pitching staff in strikeouts each of his varsity seasons, finishing his junior campaign with a sterling 5-1 record, a 2.08 ERA, and 48 strikeouts. “Joe throws a ‘wipe-out’ slider and sets up his devastating changeup with a fastball that is in the 90s,” noted Mulligan, who knows a thing or two about pitching. The Susan Wagner and John Jay College product was drafted by the Minnesota Twins and pitched for their Triple-A affiliate before suffering a career-ending arm injury in 1985. He also threw batting practice for the NY Mets for a number of years in-between his teaching and coaching duties at Farrell. “Joe is also one of our hardest workers and his teammates recognize him as a leader,” Mulligan said. “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard,” Raimonda explained as being his favorite quote. “I live by that quote and it is the reason why I am in the place I am in right now.” In addition to his dominance on the mound, Raimonda is also a threat in the batter’s box. “He’ll be in the lineup as a DH when he isn’t pitching,” said Farrell’s skipper.
Former Farrell pitcher Tom Cosgrove as a member of the San Diego Padres with Farrell’s head baseball coach Bobby Mulligan at Citi Field in 2023
‘Similarities’
If a tall, hard-working, left-handed pitcher with an elite slider from Farrell sounds familiar, it should.
Mulligan compared Raimonda to Major League free-agent pitcher Tom Cosgrove, who he coached at Farrell in 2013-14. “As high school seniors, they are very similar,” said Mulligan of the two lefties. “Joe is throwing with the same velocity and his slider and changeup are both comparable to Tom’s when he pitched for me.” After graduating from Farrell, the 6’2” Cosgrove went on to play at Manhattan University and was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 2017 MLB Draft. Now a free agent, Cosgrove played for the Padres and, most recently, the Chicago Cubs in 2025.
‘Don’t Forget Us’
As the signing ceremony was coming to an end, Raimonda autographed a few baseballs for his Farrell buddies on the team. “Don’t forget us when they are worth money some day,” one of his teammates joked, to which Raimonda replied, “I will never forget the love and support that I have received along the way. I would not be here without my parents, coaches, teachers, and teammates. I am honored that you are all here with me today.”
Raimonda begins his senior campaign in April when the Lions travel to Florida to begin the 2026 season.
Monsignor Farrell senior Joe Raimonda signs a baseball for his Farrell teammates as his parents look on during his scholarship signing ceremony at Monsignor Farrell