Ex-Prep star Antonelli gets big-league contract with O’s

Former St. John’s Prep standout Matt Antonelli signed a major-league deal with the Baltimore Orioles last Friday.The deal offers a chance for Antonelli, 27, to make the Orioles’ roster in spring training. He could vie for an infield spot at second or third base.A Peabody native, Antonelli was a first-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres in 2006 out of Wake Forest, but struggled at the Padres’ Triple-A level in 2008-09 and missed much of the 2010 season with a hamate bone injury in his wrist. The Padres cut ties with him and he signed with the Washington Nationals.Antonelli rebounded with the Nats’ Triple-A team, the Syracuse Chiefs, hitting .297 in 300 at-bats this past season. Also last year, he played in the minor-league Futures Game during All-Star weekend. His opponent was none other than the Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A club from Pawtucket. The Chiefs defeated the PawSox, 3-1, and Antonelli went 2-for-4 with a run scored.In 2002, Antonelli was The Item’s Player of the Year in football.Rich Tenorio can be reached at [email protected].