Sports
Ellicott City Native Gets Closer to Red Sox
Nick Natoli is moving up the minor league ladder. He's been called to play for the Portland, ME Sea Dogs, two steps from the Red Sox.
When Nick Natoli signed with the Boston Red Sox last year, he started with the Lowell (MA) Spinners, a New York-Penn League farm club.
Less than a year later, he's two steps away from the Red Sox after being called to play with the Portland, ME Sea Dogs, a AA team, according to the Howard County Times.
At the time, scout scout Chris Calciano said he had a good "good baseball IQ," Calciano said. "He should get the opportunity to play shortstop with one of our teams," Calciano said in June 2011.
Find out what's happening in Ellicott Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Top Eastern League hitter Bryce Brence told the Times that Natoli was growing as a hitter, but was also "pretty solid" on defense. "He makes the right decisions every time," Brence said.
"There have been a lot of tough plays, and he makes the right call."
Find out what's happening in Ellicott Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Natoli was called to the Sea Dogs in late May, according to the Times.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
