GOING LOCAL

Here’s a look at some players to keep an eye on around minor league baseball, all with local ties to the area:

Paul Balestrieri (WW-P South/ Cornell), RHP, 23>> State College Spikes, Cardinals (A). 2017 » 3-4, 6.49 ERA, 52.2 IP, 40 SO, 28 BB

Narciso Crook (Trenton Central/ Rowan College at Gloucester), OF, 22 >> Dayton Dragons, Reds (A). 2017 » .213/.275/.360, 4 HR, 17 RBIs

Heath Fillmyer (Florence, Mercer CC), RHP, 23>> Omaha Storm Chasers, Royals (AAA). 2017 » 11-5, 3.49 ERA, 149.2 IP, 115 SO, 51 BB

Mike Ford (Hun School/ Princeton), 1B, 25 >> Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Yankees (AAA). 2017 » .270/.404/.471, 20 HR, 86 RBIs

Jose Lopez (Hightstown/ Seton Hall), RHP, 24 >> Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Reds (AA). 2017 » 9-6, 2.57 ERA, 147 IP, 143 SO, 49 BB

Matt McCann (WW-P South, Fairleigh Dickinson), SS, 23 >> Mobile BayBears, Angels (AA). 2017 » .246/.373/.291, 14 RBIs, 6 SB

Anthony Peroni (Steinert/ Mercer CC), C, 21 >> GCL Nationals, Nationals (ROK). 2017 » 2 games played, 1-for-2

James Pugliese (Steinert/ Mercer CC), RHP, 25>> Tennessee Smokies, Cubs (AA). 2017 » 7-2, 1.84 ERA, 78.1 IP, 48 SO, 33 BB

Ben Ruta (WW-P South/Wagner College), OF, 23 >> Trenton Thunder, Yankees (AA). 2017 » .243/.298/.590, 13 SB