Ward Melville the first Long Island high school to have 3 stars playing in MLB simultaneously
Lou Petrucci expects to be a traveling man this summer. The 65-year-old Ward Melville varsity baseball coach will accumulate frequent flyer miles as he goes to watch three of his former pitchers in the big leagues between Florida and Chicago.
“It’s going to be a great summer of baseball and Chicago deep dish pizza,” said Petrucci, on the verge of his 300th career win in 19 years at Ward Melville. “I have the honor and the opportunity to travel and watch the guys that make Ward Melville proud.”
Ward Melville is the first Long Island high school to have three players simultaneously in Major League Baseball.
The veteran of the group is 35-year-old left-handed pitcher Steven Matz, beginning his 12th season, this one with the Rays. Lefthander Anthony Kay, 31 and in his sixth season, is with the White Sox after a two-year stint in Japan. And 26-year-old righty Ben Brown is with the Cubs.
Petrucci said all three had "fantastic" spring trainings. “They’re all healthy and throwing in starting roles. It’s very exciting.”
As Petrucci enters his 20th year guiding the Patriots he was asked which players he misses the most. His answer was sincere.
“I miss Steven Matz, Anthony Kay and Ben Brown,” he laughed. “Who wouldn’t?”
Matz is currently pitching to a zero ERA over six innings in spring training. Kay is 3-0 with a 2.20 ERA over 16 innings with 15 strikeouts and four walks. And Brown is 1-1 and has struck out 15 over 10 innings with three walks and an ERA of 3.38.
MLB'S LONG ISLAND CONNECTION
Ben Brown
RHP, Cubs
MLB Experience: Third year
Hometown: East Setauket, Ward Melville H.S.
College: None
Career: Drafted by Phillies in 33rd round in 2017, traded in 2022 to Cubs for David Robertson. Debuted with Cubs in 2024, appearing in 15 games, starting eight, 3.58 ERA and a 10.4 strikeouts-per-nine innings rate. Career 5.12 ERA and 10.3 K/9.
Ward Melville baseball coach Lou Petrucci, right, with one of his former players, Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown. Credit: Lou Petrucci
Jason Foley
RHP, Giants
MLB Experience: Fifth year
Hometown: Manhasset, Mepham H.S.
College: Sacred Heart
Career: Signed with Tigers in 2016 as undrafted FA. Debuted with Detroit in 2021; made 210 relief appearances over four seasons, posting a 3.16 ERA. Hasd season-ending shoulder surgery in May 2025. Signed one-year, $2 million contract in December 2025 with Giants. Begins this season on the 60-day injured list.
Anthony Kay
LHP, White Sox
MLB Experience: Sixth year
Hometown: Stony Brook, Ward Melville H.S.
College: Connecticut
Career: Mets first-round in 2016 draft. Traded to Blue Jays in Marcus Stroman deal. Debuted with Blue Jays in 2019. Career 5.59 ERA (44 games, seven starts) in five seasons. Last pitched in majors with Mets in 2023. Pitched two years for Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball. Signed two-year, $12 million contract with White Sox in December 2025.
Ramon Laureano
OF, Padres
MLB Experience: Ninth year
Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, High School: Upper Room Christian School
College: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
Career: Graduated from Upper Room in Dix Hills in 2012. Drafted by Astros in 16th round in 2014. Traded to Athletics in 2017. Debuted with Athletics in 2018; traded to Cleveland in 2023. Traded to Atlanta in 2024 where he batted .296 with a .505 slugging percentage. Slashed .281/.342/.512 with career-highs in doubles (26), home runs (24) and RBIs (76) in 132 games between Orioles and Padres
Steven Matz
LHP, Rays
MLB Experience: 12th year
Hometown: Stony Brook, Ward Melville H.S.
College: None
Career: Drafted by Mets in second round in 2009. Debuted with Mets in 2015; won 2015 National League pennant. Finished sixth in NL Rookie of the Year balloting in 2016 with a 3.40 ERA in 22 starts. Spent 2021 with Toronto, then 2022 through first half of 2025 with Cardinals, then finished season with Boston. Signed two-year, $15 million contract with Rays in December 2025. Career 3.20 ERA as reliever, 4.19 overall.
Logan O’Hoppe
C, Angels
MLB Experience: Fifth year
Hometown: Sayville, St. John the Baptist H.S.
College: None
Career: Drafted by Phillies in 23rd round, 2018. Traded to Angels in 2022 and debuted that September. Hit 14 home runs, slugged .500 in 51 games in 2023. Hit 20 homers in 2024. Career .231 hitter with .694 OPS through four seasons.
Justin Topa
RHP, Twins
MLB Experience: Seventh year
Hometown: Binghamton, Chenango Valley H.S.
College: LIU Brooklyn
Career: Drafted by Pirates in 17th round, 2013 draft. Released by Pirates in 2017, signed with Rangers in 2018. Granted free agency in November 2018, signed with Brewers in March 2019. MLB debut with Milwaukee in September 2020. Traded in 2023 to Mariners, then to Twins in 2024. Career 3.79 ERA in 149 appearances; 3.90 with four saves in 2025.
Greg Weissert
RHP, Red Sox
MLB Experience: Fifth year
Hometown: Bay Shore, Bay Shore H.S.
College: Fordham
Career: Drafted by Yankees in 18th round of 2016 draft. Debuted with Yankees in 2022; traded to Red Sox in December 2023. Career 3.28 ERA — 2.97 with Boston. Worked 67 innings in 72 appearances in 2025, 2.82 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a .227 batting average against.
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
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