Gary Gill Hill picked up by the NY Mets

Sammy Stafura, Gary Gill Hill in Mets’ haul at 2026 MLB trade deadline

Story byLohud | The Journal News

Phil Strum, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Mon, August 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM ED

Sammy Stafura, Gary Gill Hill in Mets’ haul at 2026 MLB trade deadline

A pair of pro baseball players with ties to Westchester are headed into the New York Mets organization at the trade deadline.

Shortstop Sammy Stafura, who was the 2023 lohud Westchester/Putnam Baseball Player of the Year, was dealt by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Mets just ahead of the August 3, 2026 trade deadline for star relief pitcher Luke Weaver.

Stafura’s trade to the Mets comes a day after New Rochelle native and pitcher Gary Gill Hill was dealt by the Tampa Bay Rays to the Mets as part of a package of prospects – also outfielder Aidan Smith and infielder Emelien Pitre – in exchange for starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. Gill Hill played his high school baseball at Kennedy Catholic.

Kennedy’s Gary Gill-Hill delivers a pitch during a 5-2 win over Stepinac at Kennedy Catholic April 11, 2022.

Gary Gill Hill

Hometown: New Rochelle

High school: Kennedy Catholic

Gary Gill Hill’s career, so far: Gill Hill, a first team Westchester/Putnam all-star in 2022, turned pro in 2022 after being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft, 194th overall, by Tampa Bay, forgoing a college commitment to Wake Forcest.

Gill Hill had ERAs of 3.15 and 3.82, respectively, in his first two years in pro ball. In 2026, the 21-year-old Gill Hill has split time between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery. At Montgomery, in 15 starts, he’s 4-3 with a 4.43 ERA, 61 strikeouts, 14 walks and a 1.389 WHIP.