Steinert Graduate, Anthony Peroni has been drafted by the Washington Nationals Baseball Team. Peroni recently finished a banner year for Mercer County College.
By Rich Fisher
Fish4scores.com
June 14: The next time Anthony Peroni and James Pugliese have a catch, it could very well be two professional baseball players at both ends of the ball.
Peroni became the second Steinert High graduate to be taken in the MLB Draft in the past seven years when he was selected in the 14th round by the Washington Nationals Wednesday. Pugliese was drafted by the Cubs in 2011 and is currently pitching for the Double A Tennessee Smokies.
Anthony Peroni is in the Junior College Division II top 20 statistical rankings in five different departments (Photo courtesy Mercer County Community College).
Both were chosen out of Mercer County Community College.
“I talked to Pugs today,” Peroni said. “He called me and he said congratulations. I usually catch him in the off-season during the winter at Game Time (Performance). Now I’ve got no choice but to catch him. We’ll be training together so it’s cool.”
For Peroni, this has been the culmination of a goal that started in the Nottingham Little League.
“This was always my dream,” said Anthony, who was planning on a celebration dinner with his family at Rossi’s Tavern. “It was always something I wanted to do. I always felt if I worked hard enough and played hard enough I would have the chance to do it.
“I think it’s pretty much everyone’s dream as a young player growing up. You want to get a chance to be a minor league player and maybe be a Major Leaguer if you’re lucky enough. So, it’s definitely been a dream of mine.”
The dream started to show a semblance of reality this past season when Peroni’s bat began smoking like never before. By season’s end he was the NJCAA Division II Region 19 Player of the Year and the Region 19 Tournament MVP. He hit .401 with 75 hits, 15 home runs (tied for 10th nationally), 24 doubles and 57 RBI, and was a standout defensively. He led Mercer to the World Series championship game, which gave him even more exposure to scouts.
“The Nationals are getting a tremendous person, baseball player and a leader,” MCCC coach Kevin Kerins said. “This past season it was Anthony’s team – he was our leader and the bigger the game the better he played.”
Peroni began hearing rumblings he might get drafted during the season and Washington had been in touch several times over the past few days.
“This morning they told me to be ready for the call,” he said. “I listened to it on the MLB tracker radio app, and the minute after they called to tell me, I heard my name called on the app. It was a
Anthony Peroni, Mercer County College
pretty amazing feeling.”
Steinert coach Brian “The Chef” Giallella feels this was something that Peroni definitely put in the time to achieve.
“This is a testament to his work ethic; the type of player and person he is, most definitely,” said Giallella, who was pleasantly surprised that Peroni went in the 14th round. “I’m proud to say he played for us at Steinert and came through our program. He’s a three-year player, he played three positions, third base, second base and catcher which he obviously settled into at Mercer. He’s got a nice future ahead of him. Whatever choice he makes, it’s gonna be a good one.”
The choice is, does he follow through on the full scholarship he received from the University of Delaware, or sign with the Nationals? It’s not a decision he is taking lightly but as the 433rd player taken in the 14th round (out of 40), it’s apparent that Washington is definitely interested.
He has given the Nats his asking price and will wait and see.
“I definitely have a decision to make,” Peroni said. “I told them what I wanted, they’re going to come back to me with what they’re going to offer so I’m just waiting on that. We’ll see what happens. I can go to Delaware or go and sign.
“But this one might be tough to turn down, with as serious a round as it was. The 14th is a pretty lucky spot if you’re taken in it. I’m happy with it. I asked for 100 thousand and obviously my schooling be paid for after baseball. Getting a degree is something I’d definitely be interested in doing after my career is over.”
Steinert Grad Anthony Peroni has a lot to smile about after being drafted in the 14th round by the Washington Nationals. Photo by Michael A. Sabo
Peroni expects to hear Wednesday or Thursday and said, “if I do happen to sign and everything goes well, I’ll probably go to a short season A ball type of thing, but they haven’t told me yet.”
He has yet to get any representation, allowing his family and close friends to serve as his “agent” for now.
“They kind of advised me through the whole process,” Peroni said. “I know enough people around here who have gone through the same process, so I’m gathering knowledge of what to say. The do’s and don’ts.”
One of those people is Pugliese, who is 4-2 with 1 save, an 0.89 WHIP and a 1.00 ERA with Tennessee this season.
“Pugs said ‘Do what you want and understand that this is your moment, your time, don’t settle for anything you don’t think is right. Whatever decision you make, just live with it and do your best.’ It was good advice.”
Hopefully, the two will be advising each other as fellow professionals when the next Game Time workout rolls around.
