Top Performers In Somerset Professional Baseball Series

The Somerset Professional Baseball Series (SBPS) between the Somerset Patriots and New Jersey Blasters has given local pro players the opportunity to compete at a high level this season. Through four weeks of the series, here are some players who have impressed the most, and who may be candidates to play in the big leagues or with an MLB organization in the future.

Ryan Williamson

LHP- New Jersey Blasters

Southpaw reliever Ryan Williamson has been a key piece of the Blasters pitching staff thus far. In the native of Cranford, NJ’s 6.1 innings out of the bullpen he has struck out 14 batters while only allowing one hit. Williamson was released by the Washington Nationals in June, where over the past two seasons he pitched to a 3.50 ERA. The North Carolina State product is a prominent candidate for the Sparky Lyle Award, which will go to the top performing pitcher in the SPBS.

Mark Leiter Jr.
RHP-Somerset Patriots

In his first professional outings since Tommy John Surgery in 2018, Leiter has performed proficiently. The three-year big league veteran has pitched to a 2.37 ERA in the SPBS with 19 strikeouts over 19.0 innings and has held opponents to a .174 batting average. Leiter was in MLB Spring Training with the Arizona Diamondbacks in March, and a notable number of scouts have been at each of his starts.

Vin Aiello
RHP-New Jersey Blasters

In his 3.1 innings out of the bullpen, Aiello has limited opponents to only one hit and one earned run. He has a two-pitch mix of a fastball with mid-90’s velocity and a frisbee-like slider has made hitters look foolish. Over his past three years with the Miami Marlins organization where he reached Double-A, he posted an 11-5 record with a 2.90 ERA. Improving his BB/K ratio and pitch location will most definitely lead to MLB opportunities down the road.

Shayne Fontana
OF-Somerset Patriots

Current Baltimore Orioles prospect Shayne Fontana currently leads the series with a .444 batting average. A 23rd round pick in last year's MLB Draft, over his four games with Somerset Fontana has come up clutch to spark multiple rallies. The New Brunswick native is coming off a rookie minor league season which saw him hit .275 across three minor league levels.

Dan Valerio
INF-Somerset Patriots

2019 Golden Spikes Award nominee and All-American Dan Valerio has stood out on the diamond in his first full season out of college. After batting .345 with 11 HR for Southeastern University last season, he’s continuing his success in the SPBS, hitting .308 with two RBI’s in six games. The utility infielder Valerio’s success at such a high level as the SPBS has indicated the feasibility of his signing with an MLB organization for the 2021 season.

Martin Figueroa
INF-New Jersey Blasters

Coming off an All-Star season with the St. Louis Cardinals organization in which he batted .282, Figueroa has lived up to expectations. In six games with the Blasters, he is hitting .313 with six walks. Claimed first overall in the pre-season SPBS draft, Figuroa has also flashed the leather quite a bit between his time at second and third base.

Honorable Mentions: Max Herrmann, James Pugliese, Billy Layne Jr., Nate Roe, Loui Martini, Vin Mazzaro