Playing ball beats 'real job'

UMass-Lowell's Santos signs with Nashua Pride

Anthony Santos had a solid senior season at Lowell, where he was a River Hawks captain.

Anthony Santos earned his degree from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell on May 31, unsure whether he would continue playing baseball or land, as he put it, a real job.

His wait lasted one week.

"I got a call from the [Nashua] Pride and they said they'd like me to come play for the team this season," said Santos, a two-year starting infielder and team captain his senior year.

"I didn't really know where I was, between getting a full-time job or if I would have the chance to play baseball some more. I knew I wanted to play baseball, but I didn't know if it would happen or not."

The first week of June, the former Chelmsford High standout signed with the Pride, a minor league franchise in the eight-team Can-Am League.

Santos started three of his first five games at third base for the Pride (11-11 through their first 22 games). He's coming off a solid senior season at Lowell, in which he ranked third on the River Hawks in batting average (.297), total bases (63), and hits (49). The 5-foot-10, 185-pound, right-handed hitting Santos also scored 19 runs, including 10 doubles and 27 RBI, in 44 games.

With family and friends in the stands when he takes the field at Holman Stadium, Santos said his transition has been somewhat easy.

"I live in Lowell, so I'm only 15 minutes away. A lot of my friends and guys from UMass-Lowell come out to the games here. . . . The adjustment has been not too bad. The pitching is definitely better."

The Pride have had their eyes on him for a while. Chris Hall, the team's general manager, first watched Santos play for the Chelmsford American Legion team.

When Nashua starter Sandy Almonte tore a hamstring, Hall sought out Santos as the replacement.

"He's a young talent," said Hall. "Got a good, strong bat and it was a good fit. I wanted to wait for the right opportunity to bring him here, and this was a good time. So far, he's been a nice addition to the lineup. He's fresh off a good year in college, so things are easy for him to pick up."

Former River Hawk Jerod Edmondson, who graduated in 2007 and served as an assistant coach at Lowell this spring, is also a member of the Pride.

"He was a friend, then a teammate, then a coach, and now a teammate again," said Santos, referring to Edmondson. "He's one of my really good friends, so he worked with me a lot this spring on things. I think that really helped my transition to this level. Who knows how long I'm here, but I'm excited to find out."