LYNN — The North Shore Navigators continue to build their roster for the upcoming Futures Collegiate Baseball League season and announced the signing of two Division 1 players to roam the Fraser Field grass in 2020.
Following their college seasons at Penn State and UMass, respectively, Joe Gunn and Jack Whorf will join the Navigator outfield. President and General Manager Derek January introduced the North Shore ball club’s two newest members on Monday.
The Navs also recently announced the addition of Joshua Kummins, Lynn native Chris Holey and Marblehead native Gus Baylow to the front office staff.
Gunn hails from New Castle, Pa., and returned to his home state’s Nittany Lions after playing at Ball State as a freshman and St. Johns River State (Fla.) as a sophomore. He hit .235 with a home run, 18 RBI and eight stolen bases in 48 games at the latter school during 2018 before missing last season due to injury. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Gunn played in 30 games at Ball State where he originally enrolled after being ranked as Pennsylvania’s top high school outfielder and a Second Team All-American by Perfect Game.
Gunn’s MLB scouting report compares him to Tim Raines and says that he is an “amazing athlete with speed to burn..a former quarterback who will be a very exciting player to watch.
Whorf adds to North Shore’s heavy Massachusetts flavor as the 5-foot-9, 170-pound UMass freshman calls Weston home and headed to college in Amherst after playing three seasons of varsity ball at Xaverian Brothers High School. He captained the Hawks during his final season after earning Boston Herald All-Scholastic, Catholic Conference All-Star and team MVP honors as a junior when he hit .347 with 18 RBI and 12 runs scored.
Whorf’s scouting report compares him to Andrew Benintendi of the Boston Red Sox and says he is a “Very consistent player (and) an excellent hitter and outfielder (who) will be a big part of the UMass team as a freshman.”
Holey will serve as the organization’s new Director of Sales and will be responsible for sponsorships, advertising and group sales.
“Chris combines a solid sales background with a desire to be successful,” said Navigators Executive Vice-President Jeff January. “He is a former athlete and brings a competitive drive to the Navs sales force. We expect Chris to take our sponsorship, promotions and advertising efforts to new heights.”
Holey is a graduate of Salem State University and Lynn English High School. He grew up playing baseball for Wyoma Little League and Lynn Babe Ruth. He taught math at his high school alma mater for four years after completing his business management degree from Salem State in 2013 and also coached football (2011-13 and 2016-18) and track (2012-14) for the Bulldogs.
“I am very excited for this opportunity with the Navigators,” Holey said. “I have been involved in athletics in the City of Lynn for years as both a player and coach, so to have the opportunity to continue that involvement means a lot.”
The Navigators’ popular public address announcer, Baylow is a senior at St. John’s Prep and announces numerous sports including football, basketball and baseball. He also provides play-by-play commentary on selected live streaming broadcasts. An announcer since he was eight years old, Baylow has also lent his booming voice to various athletic events in his hometown of Marblehead.
As Director of Media Relations, Kummins is responsible for writing and distributing press releases, game recaps and other written content via the Navigators’ website and local media outlets, helps maintain the team’s social media channels and serves as the primary communications contact. Kummins, who also writes for New England Baseball Journal, will aid the Futures Collegiate Baseball League as a whole in a similar role this year.
“The Navs are incredibly lucky to have Gus and Josh back for another season in our press box,” Derek January said. “They were two of the first employees we wanted to make sure to lock up for the 2020 season.”
The Navs are now preparing for the 13th season of collegiate ball at Fraser Field and their ninth in the Futures League. The 2020 opener is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27. Until then, stay up to date on the latest Navs news by visiting nsnavs.com and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
