CAMP HISTORY- MLB PLAYERS
MARTY CASTILLO
BOBBY ESTALELLA
MARTY CASTILLO
- Member of the 1984 World Series Champion Detroit Tigers. Played 3rd base and catcher at the MLB level, all with the Tigers, from 1981-1985.
GENE CLINES
BOBBY ESTALELLA
MARTY CASTILLO
- Outfielder of the 1971 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. Geno also played with the Mets, Cubs, and Rangers. Former MLB Hitting Coach with the Mariners, Brewers, Giants and Cubs. Coach Clines passed away at age 75 in January, 2022.
BOBBY ESTALELLA
BOBBY ESTALELLA
BOBBY ESTALELLA
- Started his Major League career as a catcher with the Phillies in 1996. Bobby also played with the Giants, Yankees, Rockies, Diamondbacks and Blue Jays during his nine years in the show.
JULIAN JAVIER
JEFF MONTGOMERY
BOBBY ESTALELLA
- This St. Louis Cardinals superstar won the World Series in 1964 and 1967. Considered among the top 50 players to ever wear a Cardinal uniform, he played there from 1960-1971 . The two time All-Star finished his career with the Reds in 1972. His son Stan Javier enjoyed a long MLB career and the WS Championship with the Oakland A's in 1989.
JEFF MONTGOMERY
JEFF MONTGOMERY
JEFF MONTGOMERY
- Primarily a closer, Jeff pitched from 1987-1999 in MLB, mostly with the KC Royals and briefly with the Cincinnati Reds. A three (3) time All-Star, in 2003 he was inducted as a member of the Royals Hall of Fame. Jeff is currently a Royals broadcaster with the Fox Network in Kansas City.
LANCE NIEKRO
JEFF MONTGOMERY
JEFF MONTGOMERY
- Played for the San Francisco Giants from 2003-2007 as a first baseman. Son of former Houston Astro pitcher Joe Niekro and nephew of Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro. Lance is currently the Head Baseball Coach at Florida Southern College, where he has been the skipper since 2012.
ARIEL PRIETO
ERIC RASMUSSEN
ERIC RASMUSSEN
- Former MLB starting pitcher with the Oakland A's (1995-2000) and Tampa Bay Rays (2000). A coach with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2015-2017); Prieto started his career with the Cuban National team and was drafted by the A's in the first round in June, 1995.
ERIC RASMUSSEN
ERIC RASMUSSEN
ERIC RASMUSSEN
- Former MLB pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and the KC Royals. Has also coached professional baseball with the Minnesota Twins organization for many years.
CHUCK RICCI
ERIC RASMUSSEN
VICTOR RODRIGUEZ
- Pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1995, as part of an eleven year professional career as a player. Chuck is currently the Tampa Bay Rays National Scout for Amateur Baseball. Previously he scouted for the Cleveland Indians. He was an actor in the movie Major League II.
VICTOR RODRIGUEZ
VICTOR RODRIGUEZ
VICTOR RODRIGUEZ
- A veteran coach of the JRBC, Victor has proven to be a valuable mentor to Major League hitters. Current Hitting Coach of the San Diego Padres. His son, Victor Jr., is the Latin America Scout of the Washington Nationals. See complete biography in Coaches Section.
COOKIE ROJAS
VICTOR RODRIGUEZ
COOKIE ROJAS
- This legend, a five time MLB All-Star, is an inductee of the Kansas City Royals, the Cuban, and the Latin American Halls of Fame. Formerly the manager of the Angels and a coach with multiple MLB teams, he was also a Marlins broadcaster. Cookie has been a beloved speaker and coach of the JRBC for over 20 years.
MIKE VENAFRO
VICTOR RODRIGUEZ
COOKIE ROJAS
- Former Major League relief pitcher with the A's, Rays, Rockies, Dodgers, Rangers and Twins.
CARMEN CALI
CARMEN CALI
CARMEN CALI
- First Naples athlete to play in the Majors. Cali, a pitcher with the Cardinals, Twins and the Dodgers, also played at Florida Atlantic University. Carmen, a Naples HS grad, attended our first ever JRBC event in the summer of 1988. He is also a keynote speaker of the JRBC.
DON CARMAN
CARMEN CALI
CARMEN CALI
- Former MLB pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers. Don currently works with the Scott Boras group and helps professional players with their personal lives. He is a frequent JRBC keynote speaker.
CHRIS RESOP
CARMEN CALI
STERLING HITCHCOCK
- A 4th round draft pick from BCHS, he pitched at the MLB level with the Marlins, Braves, Pirates, Athletics and Angels. In addition, he was a hurler in Japan for two years. Chris also attended the JRBC multiple times as a camper since age 6. He has been a keynote speaker of the JRBC on multiple occasions.
STERLING HITCHCOCK
STERLING HITCHCOCK
STERLING HITCHCOCK
- Former pitcher with the NY Yankees, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and the St. Louis Cardinals (1992-2004). In 1998 he was the National League Championship Series MVP while pitching for the Padres and he also competed against the Yankees in the World Series that year.
CASEY WISE
STERLING HITCHCOCK
CASEY WISE
- A long time Naples resident, Dr. Casey Wise played four seasons at the MLB level with the Milwaukee Braves, the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers. He was an infielder with the Braves in the1958 World Series vs. the NY Yankees. Casey passed away in Naples in 2007.
LUIS TIANT
STERLING HITCHCOCK
CASEY WISE
- One of the best AL pitchers from 1964-1982, Tiant won 229 games, most by a Cuban born pitcher in MLB history. Considered by many as the best 20th century pitcher not yet in Cooperstown, he is currently in 3 Halls of Fame, including the Boston Red Sox (1997).
MIKE PAGLIARULO
MIKE PAGLIARULO
MIKE PAGLIARULO
- Former NY Yankees and Minnesota Twins 3B, Pags won the epic 1991 WS as the Twins beat the Braves in 7 games. He has also worked professionally as the hitting coach with the Miami Marlins and is a current advisor of the Washington Nationals. He was our guest speaker in the 2020 Winter Super Camp.
PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS & COACHES CONTRIBUTING TO THE JRBC
CARLOS ALFONSO
A long time contributor to the JRBC, Carlos played primarily in the Houston Astros organization, with a brief stint with the Cincinnati Reds AAA club in Indianapolis. Graduate of Naples HS. See complete biography in Coaches Section.
DOMINIC BLANCO
This former JRBC camper and Gulf Coast HS grad, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners and also played with the Minnesota Twins organization.
MARK CARDILLO
This former JRBC camper, NNLL player and Barron Collier HS grad, played at Villanova University before playing professional baseball in Italy for several years. In fact, he went back to Italy in 2018 to work with the Italian National Team. Mark was also a member of the Naples Select Club coached by Tom Resop and Coach Romero in 1999. He is a very valuable member of the JRBC coaching staff.
TED CORBIN
One of the best SS to ever play in Collier County (BCHS), Ted advanced to the AAA level with the Minnesota Twins. He also played at Auburn and at Clemson.
GREG DAVID
The 1985 first round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays, Greg played at the AAA level with the San Diego Padres. The Barron Collier grad played JV for Coach Romero in 1982 and Varsity for Coach Bob Smith the next three years.
RONNIE DECK
He played in the Tampa Bay Rays organization and at Oklahoma Christian University . In addition, Ronnie has coached at different levels, including several years as bullpen catcher with the Baltimore Orioles. Former Head Baseball Coach at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado.
KIT FOWLER
This former JRBC camper and long time JRBC coach is currently the Lely HS Head Coach. Kit, a former pitcher with the Schaumburg Boomers in Illinois, is also a Lely HS grad. In college he was a pitcher at St. Pete State College and at Tennessee Tech. In addition, Fowler is a proud product of Gulf Coast LL in East Naples.
JIM GAITIN
He advanced to the AAA level with the Cincinnati Reds organization as a catcher in the late 1960's. He competed with a guy named Johnny Bench behind the dish.
JOHNNY GORDON
This former Lely HS CF played for Coach Romero. After competing at Warner Southern College, Johnny played in the Detroit Tigers organization. He is also a product of Gulf Coast LL in East Naples.
DAVID GUTHRIE
A veteran NBA official with Finals experience, David starred in baseball and basketball at Hoover HS in Alabama. He later joined the NC State baseball team before playing in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
ADAM JOHNSON
Former OF in the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Sox organizations, he advanced to AAA. Adam is considered one of the best hitters ever at Barron Collier HS. He also played at UCF with brothers Eric and Andy. A product of North Naples LL, Adam is currently the Head Baseball Coach at BCHS.
ERIK JOHNSON
A former catcher of the Colorado Rockies organization, the Barron Collier HS grad also played at UCF with brothers Adam and Andy. Erik is a product of North Naples LL.
MICHAEL JOHNSON
- Michael started his career in the GGALL and frequently attended the JRBC in his youth. A graduate of GCHS, he played SS at Sanford University before embarking on a pro career with the White Sox. A former JRBC coach at the Winter Super Camp, he was also a manager in the SF Giants organization.
JASON LOUWSMA
- A clutch performer at FGCU, Jason also played in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He was a terrific hitter and fielder, playing SS and 3B with the Eagles. Coach Romero had the pleasure to be one of his coaches in 2005 and 2006 at FGCU. The Sanford, FL athlete is also a product of Manatee CC.
ROLLIE R. RICE
- A Naples resident since 1958, Rollie has influenced countless young men during his long and illustrious coaching career. This legend, who was also the first Collier County Parks and Recreation Director, played in the St. Louis Cardinals organization as an infielder/outfielder.
JOE ANTHONY RIVERA
- The lefty pitcher is a graduate of St. John Neumann HS. Joe pitched at Berry University before being drafted by the Texas Rangers. In addition to the Rangers, he was a hurler in the Frontier League while playing at Traverse City, Michigan. He has also played professionally overseas in Europe and is currently an assistant coach at CSN.
MIKE ROJAS
- Recent Manager of the Caracas Lions in the Venezuelan Winter League and 2018 AA Manager of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (KC Royals). Mike has also coached at the MLB level with the Detroit Tigers and the Seattle Mariners. He is a former catcher in the Oakland A's and the Toronto Blue Jays organizations.
JOE SADELFELD
- A rare two sport college star at Ohio State, Joe competed in baseball and basketball as a Buckeye. He signed a professional contract with the San Francisco Giants but an arm injury cut short his dream of playing at the MLB level. A retired teacher with the Collier County School District, he also coached numerous sports during an illustrious HS teaching and coaching career.
JEFF SCHAUS
This former JRBC camper and Barron Collier grad starred as an OF at Clemson University before a brief career in pro baseball with the LA Dodgers organization.
STEVE SINGLETON
Coach of the 2018 Florida State League Champion Fort Myers Miracle, Steve played in the Minnesota Twins organization for several years. He was also an outstanding infielder at the University of San Diego. Current Assistant Softball coach at the University of Texas in Austin, 2022 NCAA World Series finalists.
JEFF SMITH
A long time contributor to the JRBC, Jeff was an outstanding baseball and basketball player at Naples HS. He was coached in both sports by his father, the great Tommy Smith. Another product of the Gulf Coast LL in East Naples. Please see complete biography in Coaches Section.
JEFF TENBARGE
He was a 6th round draft pick of the Houston Astros from Evansville University in 1992 and played a few years in the Houston organization. Please see complete biography in Coaches Section.
TOM TYLER
Former AAA pitcher with the Kansas City Royals and the NY Mets. All four of his sons attended the JRBC, including Trent Tyler, who played for Coach Romero at Lely HS, then went on to pitch at Polk State College and at Florida Southern College.
RYAN WILLIAMS
This former JRBC camper and Estero HS grad, was also coached by Coach Romero at FGCU and with the Naples Select Travel Club. Ryan is a former pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
THOMAS BALBONI
- A former camper and current JRBC coach when he is available, Thomas played for Coach Romero at St. John Neumann HS from 2016-2018 at the varsity level. A graduate of BCHS and a pitcher at Northeastern University, Balboni was drafted in the 15th round in 2022. By the way, he started his baseball career while playing for his dad Tom in the GNLL.
TIM CAIN
- Former Assistant Coach at Naples HS, Tim played in the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox organizations. He was also a pitcher at the University of Connecticut and started his career at Gulf Coast LL in East Naples.
FRANK TURCO
- Current Head Coach of the Canterbury Cougars. Coach Turco, who was previously the Coach at Estero HS, has won three consecutive state titles at Canterbury HS. He played at Berry College in Miami and was an infielder/OF with the Texas Rangers organization.
NIELS STONE
- This former JRBC camper and Gulf Coast HS grad played at Indian River State College before being drafted in the 27th round in 2018 by the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher. In 2019 he competed in Eugene, Oregon, home of the Emeralds (A). Niels, a product of North Naples LL, has also coached at the JRBC on multiple occasions.
WARNNER RINCONES
Rincones, who currently lives in Port Charlotte, joined the JRBC as an instructor in December, 2020. The native of Venezuela is currently a hitting coach in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.
RUDY ARIAS
The Seattle Mariners 1977 first round draft pick has been a JRBC instructor in the Winter Super Camp for many years and is currently an assistant coach at Miami-Dade State College. His father, the late Rodolfo Arias, pitched in the 1959 World Series for the Chicago White Sox vs. the NY Yankees. See complete biography in Coaches Section.
PEDRO CASTELLANOS
From Carora, Venezuela, Castellanos is currently a first baseman for the Portland Sea Dogs, a AA club of the Boston Red Sox. Pedro, 22, was certainly a nice addition to the JRBC staff in 2020.
JOHNNY KING
The Toronto Bluejays' 3rd round selection in the 2024 July Amateur Draft, Johnny helped the JRBC staff during his senior year at the 2023 Winter Super camp. The Naples HS star started his career with Greater Naples Little League.
OTHER NOTABLE JRBC ALUMNI
JEFF HEUERMAN
This former JRBC camper and Barron Collier HS grad played at Ohio State on the football team. He had been playing in the NFL as a tight end with the Denver Broncos since 2015. Jeff was selected in the third round by Denver that year and the Broncos went on to become Super Bowl Champs!
BOBBY SPANO
This former JRBC camper and Barron Collier HS grad, played for Coach Romero in the 1996 Junior Olympics. Bobby, who went on to play at FSU and at FAU, eventually competed in the Florida Marlins Minor League system as an infielder. His BCHS team won the State Title in 1997.
MATT PIERCE
This former JRBC camper and Estero HS grad, was a member of the Memphis Redbirds in 2017 (AAA Pacific Coast League Champs!). Matt has been a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals system for several years.
ANDY D'ALESSIO
This former JRBC camper and Barron Collier HS grad played at Clemson before playing in the SF Giants organization. Andy is also a product of North Naples LL.
TYLER ROSS
This former JRBC camper and Barron Collier HS grad, was the LSU starting catcher before embarking on a professional career with the SF Giants. Tyler is also a product of North Naples LL.
DAVID PETERSON
The big lefty (shown here) became the third JRBC product to make it to the show in 2020. With a pitching record of 6-2, David was also selected to the NL All-Rookie team as a member of the NY Mets that year. A star pitcher at the Univ. of Oregon, he was the first round draft pick of the Mets in 2017 and was invited to the Mets' Spring Training facility to compete for a MLB job in 2020. By the way, he realized his MLB dream on 7/28/2020, beating the Boston Red Sox 8-3.
MICHAEL WALKER
This former JRBC camper and Naples HS grad, debuted in 2019 as punt and kick returner for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL. Michael is currently a free agent. He comes from a very athletic family. His father Mike also played in the NFL and uncle Pete Walker, the pitching coach of the Toronto Blue Jays, had a stellar career as a MLB pitcher. Michael, a second team All-American at Boston College, is also a product of GGNLL.