Futures League Inducts Five Into Hall of Fame

Former players including Lowell native Mike Hart were honored at a ceremony in Worcester on Saturday night.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Baseball

Futures League Inducts Five Into Hall of Fame

The Futures Collegiate Baseball League inducted five former players into its Hall of Fame during a Saturday night ceremony at the Hogan Center at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. The 2026 class includes Mike Hart, Zack Tower, Sal Frelick, Logan Gillis, and David Griffin.

Why it matters

The induction recognizes players who developed in the league, giving Massachusetts baseball fans a look at local talent that has advanced to college and professional levels. The ceremony also honors the league's history through the careers of its former standouts.

Mike Hart posted a .364 average with 10 home runs and 17 stolen bases for the 2016 Seacoast Mavericks, and hit .303 with 14 home runs and 67 RBI across 84 games in 2026 with the Sioux Falls Canaries. Zack Tower holds the league's career home run record with 44, and the source does not detail the selection criteria for the class.

The players

Futures Collegiate Baseball League

A summer collegiate baseball league based in New England that developed players who advanced to college and professional baseball.

Sal Frelick

A Lexington native and Boston College graduate who plays as an outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Zack Tower

A former UMass Lowell and Franklin Pierce baseball player who holds the Futures League career home run record.

The details

Inductees took part in a panel discussion moderated by Amherst College baseball coach J.P. Pyne rather than giving individual acceptance speeches. Several inductees thanked league founder Chris Hall during the discussion.

2016: Mike Hart played for the Seacoast Mavericks.
2017: Zack Tower hit 18 home runs with the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs.
2026 season: Mike Hart hit .303 with the Sioux Falls Canaries.
November 7, 2026: Hall of Fame induction ceremony held in Worcester.

Legacy Context

The 2026 class extends the Futures Collegiate Baseball League Hall of Fame by adding five former players to its honorees. Recognizing players such as Zack Tower, who holds the league career home run record, places this year's ceremony within the league's ongoing effort to celebrate its alumni.

Fans following the league can now track the careers of new Hall of Fame inductees, including Mike Hart and Sal Frelick, through their professional seasons. Those tracking Futures League alumni can check player statistics for Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick and Sioux Falls Canaries standout Mike Hart as the 2027 season approaches.

The takeaway

Recognition of former Futures League players highlights how a summer collegiate circuit can serve as a stepping stone to professional careers. Readers interested in the league's alumni can follow inductees' progress through their future seasons.