Former Joel Barlow baseball standout TJ Baer earned postseason recognition from the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England.
The former GametimeCT All‑State first‑team selection was named FCBL Defensive Player of the Year, according to a Thursday morning announcement. Baer patrolled the outfield for the Norwich Sea Unicorns, who advanced to the FCBL semifinals.
Baer appeared in 43 games, starting 42 of them, and recorded seven assists while committing only two errors in 93 total chances across right, center, and left field. He started 20 games in right field, 19 in center field, and three in left field, and he did not commit an error in his first 21 games with Norwich this summer.
On July 24, Baer contributed two assists in a 3‑1 victory over the Nashua Silver Knights. In the top of the sixth inning, with Nashua leading 1‑0 and threatening to add more, Mike Villani hit a single to right field. Baer responded with a strong throw, delivering a strike to catcher Bryce Miller to gun down Hudson Story at the plate. In the top of the ninth, Baer also threw out a runner attempting to advance to second on a fielder’s choice.
At the plate, Baer hit .318, posted a .421 on‑base percentage, and swiped 19 bases in 20 attempts. The Easton native is preparing for his sophomore season at Marist College.
