October 02, 2025
Diamond kings
Three alumni MLB prospects deliver championships for their teamsby David Fricke
Winning a championship at any professional level is a career highlight few baseball players achieve. For three prospects from the same high school to accomplish this in the same season is virtually unheard of. Yet that is exactly what Jack Penney ’21, Jonathan Santucci ’21, and Thomas White ’23 achieved this year.
“It’s rare for one player to win a championship at any level in professional baseball at any time during his career, let alone three from the same high school team in the same season,” said Andover head baseball coach and Associate Dean of Admission Kevin Graber, who himself coached the Tennessee Smokies (a Chicago Cubs affiliate) to the Double-A Southern League Championship in 2023. “And their championships were at three different levels, which makes this even rarer and more noteworthy.”
Penney won in High-A with the West Michigan Whitecaps (Midwest League), Santucci triumphed in Double-A with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Eastern League), and White captured a title in Triple-A with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (International League). This trifecta of championships showcases the talent and determination cultivated at Andover as they climb the ranks of their respective organizations.
“It’s a particular source of pride that Thomas, Jack, and Jonathan were not only teammates but also four-year students,” Graber added. “Outstanding on the baseball diamond, all three were also exceptional students, which shouldn’t be overlooked.”
Jack Penney ’21 (Detroit Tigers)
Shortstop Jack Penney had a whirlwind season after being drafted in the fifth round (147th overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers following his junior year at the University of Notre Dame.
In a single year, he ascended three different levels of the minor leagues, starting in rookie ball (Florida Complex League), moving to Low-A (Florida Coast League), and finishing in High-A with the West Michigan Whitecaps, where he won the Midwest League Championship. His team’s performance was historic: the Whitecaps posted the best record by any minor league team since 1997, an achievement highlighted in The Wall Street Journal article, “They’re the Best Team in Baseball—and You’ve Never Even Heard of Them.”
This fall, Penney will continue to hone his skills with the Scottsdale Scorpions in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, an elite showcase for top prospects
The most important skill I gained off the field at Andover was cultivating the non sibi spirit. This has guided my thoughts, feelings, and actions all throughout my life ... making me a better teammate, friend, son, brother, and classmate.
”Jonathan Santucci ’21 (New York Mets)
Left-handed pitcher Jonathan Santucci was a second-round selection (46th overall) of the New York Mets in 2024. Following a standout career at Duke University, he sat out the remainder of 2024 to recover from elbow surgery.
Santucci’s professional debut in 2025 was nothing short of dominant. He quickly rose from High-A (South Atlantic League) to Double-A, where he helped lead the Binghamton Rumble Ponies to an Eastern League Championship. Binghamton’s season was extraordinary, with a franchise-best 90 wins.
On the mound in Double-A, Santucci was exceptional, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.52 ERA and a .189 opponent batting average. He recorded 63 strikeouts against just 18 walks in 50.0 innings. His outstanding performance has solidified his status as the top left-handed pitching prospect in the Mets organization.
Andover taught me several skills that helped me get to where I am today—the importance of work ethic, discipline, time management, and the ability to know how to deal with failure.
”Thomas White ’23 (Miami Marlins)
Thomas White, drafted 35th overall in 2023, made the rare leap directly from high school to professional baseball, foregoing a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University.
The two-time Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year has been on an incredible trajectory, climbing from High-A to Double-A and ultimately to Triple-A. His season culminated in winning both an International League Championship and the coveted Triple-A World Series with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
White's rapid ascent and dominant performance have earned him widespread recognition. He is currently ranked the No. 1 prospect in the Miami Marlins’ organization and is widely regarded as the No. 1 left-handed pitching prospect in all of Major League Baseball.
My immediate goal is to be in the big leagues before the halfway point next year. Future goals are Cy Young, World Series, Hall of Fame. I want to experience everything. They’re lofty goals, but I like to always have something to chase and to work for.
”For aspiring big leaguers, the road to “The Show” is a grueling odyssey, often taking several years to wind through the myriad ballparks and sleepy towns that make up the vast minor league system. But the future looks bright for all three Andover alumni.
“Pro sports are a challenging road, but I truly believe Thomas, Jonathan, and Jack are future Major Leaguers, given their ability, work ethic, and passion for baseball,” Graber said. “And the experts agree. All three are highly rated prospects and project to emerge as impactful at the Major League level very soon.”
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