by Andy Loigu

In conversations among young pitching prospects with hopes of advancing in their organization’s depth chart, the major leagues are called “the show.” After several years of working through the Single , Double and Triple-A levels of the Kansas City Royals’ farm system, Warren Hills High School alum Anthony Veneziano is in the show and indications are that he will stay for awhile.

The Miami Marlins claimed the lefty Blue Streak in September, from KC, in a waiver transaction. Since then, at home watching on TV, I’ve seen him come into games against the Phillies and Mets in important ninth inning situations, in close games, facing All-Star hitters.

Oddly enough, Mets telecaster Gary Cohen said Veneziano is “from Hackettstown, New Jersey.” Well, all the media guides indicate he was born in Hackettstown, but he played varsity sports at Warren Hills and the towns of Washington and Mansfield are justifiably proud.

In fact, Veneziano struck-out the Dodgers’ mega-star Shohei Ohtani, who is the first player (with the Angels and Dodgers) to win the Most Valuable Player award  in both the American and National leagues, since Frank Robinson with the Reds and Orioles in 1961 and 66.

Anthony has a small sample size of stats in the show so far, with a 3,38 ERA in his first 13,1 innings, but his 10-2 strikes to balls ratio indicates he has a promising future.

Go, get ’em, Anthony.

This year’s Blue Streaks, coached by Mike Quinto, have started out 4-1, after a wild and wooly 11-10 win over Pingry on April 10.

Dom D’Aconti swung a big bat, belting a homer, driving in two runs and scoring two runs. Kyle Kucharski also helped Warren Hills keep big innings going, with two big hits.

On the bump, pitcher Luke Barrett struck out four Pingry batters.

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.