J.P. Ricciardi Returns To The Bravehearts Box

Father‑Son Stories Unfold At Fitton Field

When J.P. Ricciardi settled behind the microphone in the Fitton Field press box on Thursday night, a poster of his youngest son, Mariano, stared back from the wall just a few feet away. The Worcester Bravehearts were squaring off against the Westfield Starfires, and Ricciardi’s voice added color to the NESN broadcast, turning a routine summer league game into a family moment. “I’m a big proponent of the Bravehearts,” he told the T & G. “I want to see the Bravehearts do well, and I think it’s great family entertainment.” His two boys, Dante and Mariano, both previously suited up for the team, giving the former Blue Jays and Mets general manager a full‑circle experience. The scene highlighted how summer baseball can weave together personal history and community pride.

Mariano spent four summers with the Bravehearts from 2017 to 2020, turning those months into a launchpad for his professional career. He recorded 133 games, 97 runs, and 136 hits, leading the franchise in those categories. His postseason work produced 15 hits, the second‑most in Futures League history, and his 2019 campaign featured a .311 batting average, a franchise‑record 17 doubles, 26 RBIs, and 34 runs. That season also delivered a playoff MVP performance with a .364 average, 4 RBIs, and 7 runs as Worcester captured the championship. “The first word that comes to mind (of playing for the Bravehearts) is fun,” Mariano said at age 28, crediting the experience for shaping him into a player ready for the next level.

While Mariano’s numbers flash on the ledger, the broader Bravehearts franchise continues to churn out talent for Major League Baseball. On July 12, third‑baseman Cole Travers slipped to the Toronto Blue Jays with the 582nd overall pick, the 19th round of the 2026 MLB Draft. Travers entered the draft after a solid summer, hitting .254 with 7 RBIs and 8 runs across 20 games for Worcester. He joins a wave of recent alums: pitcher Brady Stuart and infielder/outfielder Casey Wensley both signed undrafted free agents with the Los Angeles Angels. Bravehearts president Matt Vaccaro praised the cycle, noting that fans can still claim they “remember when” these players wore the crimson and teal. The club’s ability to produce major‑league‑ready talent reinforces its reputation as a key Developmental hub.

All‑Star Wave And Season Outlook

This summer Worcester sent **seven** players to the Futures Collegiate Baseball League All‑Star game, a clear indicator of the team’s depth. Pitchers **Connor Herlihy**, **Lane LeClair**, and **Jake Shaughnessy** earned spots on the mound, while position players **Alan Carpenter** (C/DH), **Benny Hess** (C/DH), **Will Kraemer** (INF), and **Julian Mercado** (1B/OF) rounded out the roster. The All‑Star contest is slated for July 21 in Nashua, N.H., giving each athlete a stage to showcase their skills against league elites. “I wasn’t really expecting it,” said Herlihy, a Holden resident who also pitches for Stevens Institute of Technology, “but as it turns out everything is going really well.” The recognition adds another feather to Worcester’s cap as the league’s talent incubator.

Despite the all‑star buzz, Worcester sits at ** fifth place** with a **20‑22** record, four games shy of the second‑spot. The league still has **17** games remaining after Thursday’s victory, giving the Bravehearts a solid window to climb the standings. Upcoming festivities include “Christmas in July” (July 19), Camps Day Game (July 23), Heroes Night (July 24), Wrestling Night (July 25), Jake’s Birthday Bash (July 26), Welcome to Football (July 28), Irish/Drink Around the World (July 30), Legion Night (Aug. 3), and Fan Appreciation Night (Aug. 8). Each event is designed to keep the community engaged while the team battles for a better finish. Vaccaro’s optimism about the talent pipeline suggests that the club may be building momentum as the calendar flips into August.