A couple of Springfield natives were recently selected in this year’s MLB Draft: Sacred Heart-Griffin's Sam Antonacci and Springfield High’s Ben Hartl.
The duo won the NJCAA Division II title together at Heartland Community College before parting ways.
Antonacci came off the board in the fifth round with the Chicago White Sox after one year at Coastal Carolina University while Hartl landed with the Texas Rangers in the 14th round out of University of Kansas.
They will attempt to join a few other athletes from the Springfield area who have managed to reach the big leagues over the last few years. Here’s where they stand:
Hartl to the Rangers:Springfield High grad Ben Hartl says he's ready for next step with Texas Rangers
Antonacci to White Sox:SHG grad Antonacci drafted by White Sox in 5th round
2024 all-area baseball team:Here is The State Journal-Register's all-area baseball team for 2024
Reid Detmers
The Nokomis native and 2017 Chatham Glenwood graduate made quite the impression as a rookie.
He became the youngest Los Angeles Angels player to throw a no-hitter in the 2022 season. He was just 22 years old in his 11th career start in the majors.
He nearly threw another no-hitter the following season, throwing 7 1/3 hitless innings against the Texas Rangers, who went on to win the World Series.
But Detmers, who recently turned 25, was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees after 12 starts with the Angels this season. He forged a 1.19 ERA through his first four games before losing his groove at the end of April.
According to The Athletic, the demotion was a shock to the system.
“I came down here to get my fastball command back and throw all four pitches in the zone,” the lefty said earlier this month.
“And so far, I’ve been doing that. Everything feels good. I feel like I’m back to normal, or my mindset is back to normal. And I feel like my old self again. I feel good. I’ve just got to keep going out there and showing it.”
Phil Maton
The 2011 Chatham Glenwood graduate received a World Series ring after the Houston Astros claimed the Commissioner’s Trophy in 2022 against younger brother Nick and the Philadelphia Phillies.
He played a pivotal role in the bullpen before succumbing to an injury at the end of the regular season.
The 31-year-old veteran reliever now belongs to the New York Mets following a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in his eighth season in the big leagues. He has since made three appearances with the Mets.
The righty currently brandishes a 4.58 ERA in 43 games with the Rays and Mets combined this season.
Glenwood's multi-sport ace:SEC baseball hopeful named SJ-R Boys Athlete of the Year for 2023-24
Nick Maton
The Baltimore Orioles acquired the 2015 Chatham Glenwood graduate from the Detroit Tigers over the offseason.
He posted a .173 average after one season in the Motor City. Currently an infielder for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, he launched two home runs in a road game against the Memphis Redbirds on July 13.
He has a .268 batting average in 51 games with the Tides this season. He has 48 hits, 37 RBIs and 30 runs to boot.
Jacob Maton, the youngest of the three brothers and a 2018 Chatham Glenwood graduate, is a pitcher with the Texas Rangers’ High-A affiliate Hickory Crawdads.
Glenwood's top center fielder:Glenwood all-stater Cru Erickson earns SJ-R Large School Baseball Player of the Year
Tyler Fitzgerald
The 2016 Rochester graduate not only belted his second home run of the season — and fourth of his career — but he also scored the San Francisco Giants’ winning run in a July 9 game against the Toronto Blue Jays after making his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
The outfielder has appeared in 35 games with the Giants this season while also spending time with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. He has mustered 22 hits, seven RBIs and 14 runs with a .278 average in 79 major league at-bats.
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