Brian Rapp fanned 21 in his first 20 2/3 innings in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Dennis Hubbard/Sports 'N' More Photography)In his first full season of professional baseball, former Boston College hurler Brian Rapp is enjoying the game just as much, if not more so than when he had his cheeks stuffed with … [Read more...]
Fatherhood brings new perspective to Bryce Brentz
Bryce Brentz enters his 10th pro season with 34 MLB games under his belt. (Billie Weiss/Red Sox, Louriann Mardo-Zayatt/Pawtucket Red Sox)After a roller-coaster year away from the organization that drafted him, 30-year-old outfielder Bryce Brentz returned to the Red Sox system in January and was … [Read more...]
Ben Bowden, Jake Fishman enjoying life in the Eastern League
Eastern Mass. pitchers Ben Bowden (Colorado) and Jake Fishman (Toronto) are playing their trade in Double A.The Double-A Eastern League provides the greatest opportunity in minor-league baseball for New England-bred players to have the most opportunity to play closer to their origin … [Read more...]
At 6-foot-5, things looking up for South Portland’s Hunter Owen
As a sophomore last season, Hunter Owen went 6-1 with a 1.25 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 39 innings. (The Forecaster)A growing body oftentimes can be a hindrance for a young athlete as he tries to adjust to physical changes that can put a wrench in his development. Already checking in at 6-foot-5, … [Read more...]
MiLB Notes: Seamus Curran, Grant Lavigne stage meeting of New England mashers
On Thursday, we featured Agawam, Mass., native Seamus Curran, who is beginning to come around at the plate after a few early struggles. This past Monday, Curran and company were closing out a series versus the Asheville Tourists (Colorado) when Bedford, N.H., product Grant Lavigne, ranked the … [Read more...]
Slugging prospect Seamus Curran hopeful health leads to bigger things
Seamus Curran cracked five home runs in his first 100 at-bats this season with the Delmarva (Md.) Shorebirds.For much of Seamus Curran’s career, he has played alongside and against more seasoned players. Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles out of Agawam (Mass.) High School in 2015, the 6-foot-6-inch … [Read more...]
Minor League Roundup: Conn.’s Kyle Wilcox gets going right in 2019
Kyle Wilcox, shown pitching in 2018 for the Clinton Lumber Kings. (Clinton Lumber Kings/MiLB)The first few weeks of the season don’t always go a long way in telling the big picture of a player’s season, but it can certainly help force an organization’s hand sooner rather than later. In his first … [Read more...]
West Roxbury’s Packy Naughton enjoying his next step at High-A
Packy Naughton (West Roxbury, Mass.) was a ninth-round pick out of Virginia Tech in 2017.Hailing from West Roxbury, Mass., and having attended Boston Latin School, a stone’s throw from Fenway Park, Packy Naughton was a diehard Red Sox fan growing up. So, when he was drafted out of Virginia Tech by … [Read more...]
Strong start for Wiseman, among other New England minor leaguers
Justin Dunn made five spring appearances for Seattle, fanning 15 in 12 innings. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)The Minor League Baseball season is finally in full swing, so let’s see how some of the talent that have honed their skills in the region are faring. Rhett Wiseman has hit the Double-A level at … [Read more...]
Ups and downs of the baseball life land Connecticut’s Joe Zanghi in Binghamton
Joe Zanghi pitches for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League during October 2018. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)In a journey filled with detours, Joe Zanghi has straightened the wheel and is well on track, entering his fourth season in the New York Mets organization at Double-A Binghamton … [Read more...]
2019 NEBJ High School Season Preview
Eighteen New Englanders sit one spot below the majors to begin 2019
New England's Triple-A roster, entering the 2019 season.There are many rungs on the ladder to the major leagues. For those who have endured the climb to Triple A, the fruits of their labor lie within reach. The highest level of the minor league is just one step from the ultimate goal for all … [Read more...]
