Seven locals are chasing MLB dream
Every year, thousands play minor league baseball in hopes of one day making it to the show.
As of Wednesday, there are seven prospects hailing from Trenton-area high schools who are currently playing pro ball with a major-league affiliate.
Three of those players are in Double-A for three different franchises, firmly putting them on their respective MLB teams’ radars.
All three are pitchers, while two of them were drafted out of Mercer County Community College.
Right-hander James Pugliese, selected in the 18th round in 2011, is in the midst of his seventh year in the defending World Series champion Cubs’ farm system. Primarily utilized as a relief pitcher, Pugliese has earned his first extensive action with the Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League this season.
In 26 outings and 48 2/3 innings, the Steinert High graduate has allowed only five earned runs (0.92 ERA), struck out 36 and walked 21. He is 6-2 and has converted his lone save opportunity.
Right-hander Heath Fillmyer, another MCCC product, has made 19 starts for the Midland RockHounds of the Texas League in the Athletics’ system. Across 89 2/3 innings, Fillmyer has struck out 65 while pitching to a 3.41 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.
Fillmyer, ranked as the A’s 12th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, was drafted by Oakland in the fifth round in 2014. He graduated from Florence High before attending MCCC, which has now had at least one player drafted in six straight seasons.
Right-hander Jose Lopez, a Cranbury native who attended Hightstown High, is in his third season in the Reds’ system.
Lopez began 2017 with High-A Daytona but earned a promotion to Double-A Pensacola of the Southern League on May 30. The Seton Hall product has a 3.43 ERA in eight appearances (six starts) with Pensacola, striking out 49 in 42 innings. Across both levels he has a 3.11 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 92 2/3 innings.
Here is a complete list of active Trenton-area pro prospects with their high school, current city — MLB affiliate and 2017 statistics:
• Catcher Anthony Peroni (Steinert, Auburn — Short-Season A Nationals): .500/.500/.500, 0 HR, 0 RBI (2 games)
• Outfielder Ben Ruta (WW-P South, Charleston — Low-A Yankees): .290/.343/.323, 0 HR, 13 RBI (48 games)
• Outfielder Narciso Crook (Trenton, Daytona — High-A Reds): .213/.275/.360, 4 HR, 17 RBI (36 games)
• Pitcher Heath Fillmyer (Florence, Midland — AA Athletics): 5-3, 3.41 ERA, 1.48 WHIP (19 games)
• Pitcher Jose Lopez (Hightstown, Pensacola — AA Reds): 5-5, 3.11 ERA, 1.25 WHIP (17 games)
• Pitcher James Pugliese (Steinert, Tennessee — AA Cubs): 6-2, 0.92 ERA, 1.09 WHIP (26 games)
• First Baseman Mike Ford (Hun, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre — AAA Yankees): .290/.418/.507, 14 HR, 56 RBI (82 games)