An unexpected call led to this Durfee graduate getting drafted by a pro baseball team

FALL RIVER — While sheltered at Nichols College in Dudley during the winter months, Josh Boria received an unexpected phone call.

The 2023 Durfee graduate took the call from his native homeland in Puerto Rico from his old coach, who relayed to him that he was eligible to get drafted for pro baseball.

Boria jetted to Puerto Rico and began practicing with a team. On the day of the draft, the former Hilltopper pitcher was selected in the first round at number 8 by the coach and owner of the Cocoteros de Loiza team.

"In that moment my emotion, hard work and dedication came together," said Boria via phone call from Puerto Rico. "A dream come true since I was 5 years old."

Béisbol Doble A — Double-A Baseball — is governed by the Federación de Béisbol Aficionado de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Amateur Baseball Federation). This Puerto Rican amateur baseball spring and summer baseball league was founded in 1940 and is based in San Juan.

Over the years, Puerto Rico produced five Major League Baseball Hall of Famers — Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda, Roberto Alomar, Ivan Rodriguez and Edgar Martinez.

"Still feels unreal that I’m playing the sport that I grew up playing at the next level," Boria said. "Not many players had this chance to be in this position, going from high to college freshman year and get signed after three months. It’s unreal."

Boria was a two-time Herald News All-Scholastic for baseball and Southeast Conference all-star. He had a batting average of nearly .400 in two seasons. Boria collected 43 hits, scored 34 runs, drove in 29 RBIs and hit five doubles and a home run his senior year. He helped lead Durfee to a Division 1 Sweet 16 and Round of 32.

Boria, 19, said he's indebted to B.M.C. Durfee for his growth in baseball.

"I want to thank Coach (Mike) Martin, Coach (Devin) Sanders and all the Durfee coaching staff that really help me to see my future at the next level as well as teach me how to be the man I've become today inside and outside the baseball field," he said. "I know I was hard to coach and I always thought I was right. But a year later, I’m playing at the next. I thank them for that."

Boria said his routine each day includes rising out of bed at 5 a.m. to be ready at 6:30 a.m. to be at the clubhouse for breakfast, gym workouts, outfield reps and workout drills. Then there's an hour nap before game time at 7:30 or 8 p.m.

"Being a pro baseball player, a lot of people don’t see the sacrifice that we do outside of the daily game days," Boria said.

Boria started in his second game in centerfield where he got his first pro hit and RBI. He also plays left and right field.

"My mom (Zeilyn Carrasquillo) and dad (Joel Boria) push me through everything and I’m grateful for them that," Boria said. "They (never) said no to bring me to the baseball field. Since 3 year olds, I got something I wanted for baseball."

Boria said he's looking into taking classes online at Nicols but the time this spring is hard because of the lack of free time.

Now Boria, is looking to play for an independent league and has some rights to play for the ABL Australia ligue. He's looking for a spot in Canada too.

Boria said he'll continue to work hard each and everyday for fulfill his dream

"Just looking for the best offer and looking for a agent that help me fine something to make it to a MLB team," Boria said.

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Chezsports

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Durfee High grad Boria playing professional baseball in Puerto Rico