North Shore Navigators: Pair of UMass Lowell Rookies Join Team

LYNN, Mass. — The North Shore Navigators will welcome back a pair of current UMass Lowell freshmen to their Futures Collegiate Baseball League roster in 2020.

After completing their rookie seasons together with the River Hawks, infielder Jon Gilbride and right-handed pitcher Harry Painter are both slated to return to Fraser Field for the second consecutive summer. Beginning to unveil the team’s roster, President and General Manager Derek January made the announcement on Monday.

A Beverly, Mass., native, Gilbride headed up to Lowell after completing his high school career at Austin Prep as a senior captain and two-time Catholic Central League All-Star. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound infielder led the team in extra-base hits while hitting .368 with a .550 on-base percentage last spring. As a junior, he helped the Cougars win their first-ever Division 3 state championship along with former Navigators pitcher Cam Seguin (also a UMass Lowell freshman) and infielder Logan Bravo (Harvard sophomore).

Scouting Report: Extremely intelligent player who will play all three infield positions … a flashy defender with sneaky power and will wreak havoc on the bases … ultimate competitor … MLB comp: Dustin Pedroia.

Painter earned Cape Ann League Player of the Year, Boston Globe All-Scholastic and Division 4 Player of the Year honors after leading Manchester Essex to a state title. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder from Essex, Mass., went 5-3 with a 1.81 ERA and struck out 69 batters in just 44 innings of work. He was a two-time captain and two-time All-Cape Ann First Team selection on the diamond and also played basketball for the Hornets.

Scouting Report: RHP with perfect mechanics … three-pitch strike-thrower with a big curveball … sits 89-92 … will throw 95 consistently sooner than later and become a big-time 2022 Draft prospect … MLB comp: Mike Mussina.

Both players spent time with the Navigators during the 2019 season, helping them win 30 games and return to the FCBL playoffs after a two-year absence. Gilbride recorded three hits, two runs scored and one RBI in five starts, while Painter struck out 12 batters in as many innings and held opponents to a .250 average.

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 and Macaluso’s managerial debut 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.