I would like to take a break from writing about the Red Sox in this column of mine. The ordinary everyday baseball fan doesn’t know much about high school players on the rise and who to look out for in the future. That’s why I would like to take this opportunity to write about my personal friend who happens to be a highly recruited high school baseball player. He goes by name of Matthew Antonelli, or Matty as I call him. If you’re one of those fathers who would love to have a kid who progresses through tee-ball to little league to Babe Ruth and then to the high school level and to succeed with ease, Matt is your boy. This kid has a knack for the game of baseball. He knows every second when he is on the field, where the play is suppose to go and when at that plate, where the pitcher is going to try to throw it. He can see through the pitcher’s mind of what he is going to throw next. Nine out of ten times he’ll be right. It’s no guessing game at the plate for him or if this kid can play. He’s a natural and has major league talent.

Ever since his sophomore year when he first started in left field for the St. John’s Prep Eagles of Danvers, I knew I saw a talent in disguise. He has the look and mentality of a baseball player. Now, in his junior year, Coach Yanchus has brought him in to short stop, his natural position, and shows no side of ill-effect. His ability to make double plays at second look easy is amazing to watch. His throws from deep short look like a ball shut of a canon. His gracefulness around the bag puts fans in awe. The plays he makes at short resembles that of a guy who plays for Boston named Nomar and he has had a pretty good start to his young career. What blows my mind more than anything is his humbleness.

Not one time have I heard him say one thing that demoted another player on the team. And I would know; I’ve played football with him for the past three seasons. He takes everything in stride and never sees to far into the future. He takes one game at a time and plays hard in everyone. He hustles out every ground ball. These attributes of Matty can be credited to his parents, particularly to his father Jack. Jack is Matt’s number one fan. He has stuck with Matt through the good times and the bad. He has the world of confidence in his son to go as far as he wants. In all, Matt Antonelli is just the kind of guy any manager would want on your team. He’s hardworking, attentive, disciplined, and productive. Who wouldn’t want Matt? Personally, I would love to see him make it big. What a thrill that would be to know my buddy made it to the Majors. But, that’s a long way down the road. One step at a time. As some players do, they skip college and go right to professional baseball in the minor leagues. Even if Matt becomes good enough to skip college, I feel Matt needs an education first. I’m highly critical of kids skipping college in basketball for the NBA and it’s the same in this case.

Now I’m sure someone is wondering why the hell I am writing about a high school kid from Peobody, MA while the Sox are off to one of their best starts in team history. I just thought it would different and refreshing for some to look at a high school kid who is on the rise and one to look out for in years to come. Memo to Red Sox: Antonelli is the real deal and someone I would love to write about as he crawls and scratches his way to the top of the Big Leagues.

‘Till next time, take care of yourself and watch those Sox. We just took two of three from the Mariners. Life is great!!

Matto85@aol.com