2020 has taken a lot from us but not all hope was lot. Despite the truncated MLB Draft that eliminated all Long Island players from hearing their names selected, a few players with local ties have still made their way into professional baseball thanks to the post-draft signing period.
Corey Phelan (Harborfields 2020) is the latest player to have his dreams of signing professionally come to fruition. Last week the hard-throwing LHP signed a professional contract worth $20,000 with the Philadelphia Phillies. They have done extremely well in locking up local talent thanks in large part to Sal Agostinelli‘s scouting eye and his ties to Long Island. He will join a list of LI’ers that include Nick Fanti, Kyle Young, Ben Brown and Logan O’Hoppe that are in the Phillies organization.
Like many of the aforementioned players, Phelan had a rapid ascension. Over the past year, his fastball jumped up from the low 80s to high 80s and even touching 90 in his workout for the Phillies. He will be foregoing his commitment to Flagler College for now as he pursues his professional career.
When asked about whom he would like to give credit to he said, “God and Jesus, my mom and dad, and the rest of my family. My dad has taught me mostly all of what I know about baseball, to this day. I would also like to thank my pitching coach, Neal Heaton, who has helped me take my skill to the next level. Also, my training coach, John Cantwell who has helped me become a better player. I would also like to credit anyone else who has believed in me and has helped me along in my baseball career.
As of right now, he is a member of the Williamsport Crosscutters, but due to Covid, there is no 2020 minor league season so he is just “working with the organization via zoom, emails and phone conversations,” according to him.
It’s a great moment for the Long Island baseball community as another one of our local players will have his dreams fulfilled. Phelan’s father, Chris, is the former longtime head coach of Cold Spring Harbor.
