Leominster’s Jonathan Santucci headlines Worcester’s league-high list of selections
WORCESTER — 5 former Worcester Bravehearts were selected in the 2024 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, held Sunday to Tuesday in Fort Worth, Texas.
Worcester’s 5 draft picks mark the most among any Futures Collegiate Baseball League team. Since 2015, 29 total Bravehearts alumni have been selected in the MLB Draft.
Jonathan Santucci - LHP - Bravehearts ’21 - New York Mets (Round 2, Pick 46)
Santucci, a Leominster native, became the highest-drafted former Braveheart since Matt Shaw in 2023. In 10 games with Worcester at the start of the 2021 season, Santucci collected 5 hits and 6 RBIs, also appearing twice on the mound. The right-hander fired scoreless innings in both of his pitching outings with Worcester, earning 2 saves. At Duke University, Santucci transitioned into a full-time pitcher. The righty was named an All-American by D1Baseball.com and Perfect Game in addition to an All-ACC nod in 2024.
“It was eye-opening for me and really good to get adapted to what college baseball was like,” Santucci said of his time with the Bravehearts. “It was a definitely a step up.”
Dennis Colleran - RHP - Bravehearts ’21, ’23 - Kansas City Royals (Round 7, Pick 197)
Colleran, a native of North Attleboro, was the first former ’Hearts player selected on the Draft’s second day. The Northeastern University right-hander was Worcester’s relief ace in 2021, pacing the Bravehearts’ bullpen with a 1.29 ERA and 41 strikeouts across 41 innings. Colleran returned to Worcester for the start of the 2023 season before graduating to the Cape Cod League, surrendering just 2 earned runs across 10 innings in his second stint with the team. Colleran struck out 46 hitters in just over 40 innings as a junior at Northeastern.
Randy Flores - INF - Bravehearts ’21 - Los Angeles Angels (Round 8, Pick 232)
A 2021 Futures League All-Star, Flores became the first Alabama State University player selected in 6 years. In 2021, Flores, then at Franklin Pierce University, ranked fourth in the Futures League with a .310 batting average and led all FCBL hitters with 5 triples. Flores also led the 2021 ’Hearts with 15 multi-hit games, stole 19 bases, and scored 31 runs. The highlight of the Brooklyn native’s Worcester tenure came during a 3-hit, 4-RBI performance against Nashua on June 24, 2021. After transferring to ASU, Flores was named a member of the All-SWAC First Team in 2024.
John West - RHP - Bravehearts ’20 - Arizona Diamondbacks (Round 12, Pick 374)
John West, then a recent Shrewsbury High School graduate, was a mid-season addition to the 2020 Worcester roster. West, who also pitched for current Bravehearts’ owner Frank Vaccaro with Shrewsbury American Legion Post 397, struck out 10 hitters across 10 innings with the Bravehearts. The Boston College-bound right-hander finished the season on a 4 2/3-inning scoreless streak, capped by a hitless relief inning against Nashua in the 2020 FCBL Playoffs. After his time with the ’Hearts, the 6-foot-8, 265-pounder went on to rack up 179 strikeouts across 188 innings at BC.
“It was probably the most eye-opening baseball experience I’ve ever had,” West remembers of the 2020 Futures League season. “That was probably the best year the Futures League has ever seen.”
Tanner Smith - RHP - Bravehearts ’21-’22 - San Diego Padres (Round 15, Pick 450)
Duxbury native Tanner Smith was the second of two Harvard pitchers to hear his name called in this week’s draft. The right-hander joined the Bravehearts for 2 relief appearances at the tail end of the 2021 season, then returned in a starting role in 2022. In 7 starts and nearly 37 innings, Smith struck out 31 opposing hitters, a figure which led the ’Hearts staff upon his departure. Smith averaged more than a strikeout per inning across 2 seasons at Harvard.
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:12). High of 74 today in Worcester
-Summer climate summary for Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Man accused of double murder in Worcester denied bail (2:51)
-Related: Worcester mother, daughter buried hours before their accused killer faces judge (1:30)
-Related: Family of 2 Worcester murder victims crowd into court for suspect’s arraignment
-Watch: Worcester health board suspends license after smoke shop sells items from hidden room
-"Why would I quit?": Local woman celebrates 50 years as waitress at Shrewsbury IHOP
-What to expect at the Pride Worcester Festival this weekend
-Related: Downtown detours to be in place for Pride Worcester Festival on Saturday
-Related: Pride arrives!
-TODAY! Basketball game to honor Worcester teen who died after "One Chip Challenge"
-New England Ghana Festival (NEGFest) Saturday and Sunday in Worcester
-77-year-old runner takes on Worcester in 50-state 5K challenge
-Worcester woman among 2 charged in major drug seizure
-2 mosquito samples test positive for West Nile Virus in Worcester
-2 years removed from financial crisis, Family Health Center of Worcester reports another budget surplus
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (47:16): Worcester City Council meeting frequency and WooSox fan milestone
>DINING OUT: Pulse Magazine's Eat Beat for September
-ICYMI: Fourth pizza delivery driver robbed at gunpoint in Worcester, police say
-Man charged in killings of mother, daughter in Worcester to face a judge on Friday
-Related: Wake for Worcester murder victims
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Disenchantment leads to Holden litter effort
-Linda From Leicester Loves Lamoureux Ford (2:16)
-September events at the Senior Center
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Survival story of E.E.E. more than 60 years since mosquito bite
-Who is running the police department in Leominster? Mayor, city officials won't say
-Work around Old Stone Church will limit access
-A tour of Shrewsbury's D.P.W. garages at 207-211 South Street (14:46)
-Feedback Earth odors increase complaints in Grafton
-Lancaster cemeteries added to National Register
-New staff for watershed association
-The Item's calendar of events
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Saturday
>SHOWTIME: Five Things to Do: Triskaidekaphobia, black cats, and Broadway stars
-Radio Worcester (10:18): Broadway star Megan Hilty coming to Worcester for one-night show
-Fitchburg State gallery will showcase Keith Morris Washington’s paintings of historic lynching sites this fall
-Final Porch Concert Series concert of the season on Sunday
-100FM The Pike (4:13): The Breakdown Lane
-Tom Marino: Worcester deputy police chiefs claim entitlement to be chief
-First Person: A child leaves home, a house gets cleaner, emptier
-Unity Radio (1:00:22): Unity In The Community
-WCCA-TV's Tech Safe No. 40 (28:01): Irish Computer Society, continued
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to former T&G reporter and public relations rep
>SPORTS: Are Patriots the worst team in the NFL?
-Worcester's Irvin Gonzalez Jr. returns to friendly Foxwoods for Saturday night bout
-Holy Cross announces full men's basketball and women's basketball schedules
-Red Sox beat White Sox, 3-1
-WooSox lose to Rochester, 3-2
-These 13 local football stars are set to shine for region's college teams
>CARS: Bertera Nissan has the car for you (:43)
>NATIONAL: Newlywed couple allegedly murders groomsman
-Tragic: Brockton boy, 9, dies after suffering asthma attack, family says
>NEW ENGLAND: Maine man dies in crash with state police cruiser
-New E.V. program fee added to many Mass. electric bills (1:58)
>COLLEGES: The future of Clark athletics is expanding
-Worcester State to induct athletes in Hall of Fame during Homecoming Weekend
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 10 stunning U.S. natural wonders that belong on your bucket list
>BUSINESS: U.S. jobs report for August weaker than expected
-Small towns as business incubators, parts 2&3
-Opposition to tipped worker pay increase rolls out ad campaign
>SHOPPING: Target Halloween — 1,300 new decorations, costumes, food added
>HEALTH: Viral baking soda hack for weight loss — Is it safe?
-Can a weekend snooze have heart benefits? What new research says
>FOOD: Walmart food aisle sees "slight inflation" despite rollbacks
>TV/STREAMING: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
>MOVIES: New movies on demand — "The Good Half," "Coup!" and more
>CELEBRITY: Leah Remini and husband call it quits after 21 years of marriage
>HISTORY: Oread Institute at Castle Park in Worcester, 1906
>ANIMALS: This dog was so skinny he couldn't even stand up but now... (3:14)
>GOOD NEWS (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Family's beloved cat returns home after 2,000-mile adventure
-Meanwhile, in Texas, invasive piranha relative with "human teeth" surfaces
Latest obituaries | | Friday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
>HELP WANTED
+Civil engineer II, Town of Holden
-Positions at Worcester breakfast and lunch restaurant
-Bartenders and cooks at Canal District restaurant
-Automotive technician at North End Motor Sales
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather