Haddonfield Native On Blue Jays Has Chance At World Series Title

Days ago, Joey Loperfido wasn't on the Toronto Blue Jays' postseason roster. Now, the Haddonfield native could help the team to its first World Series title in more than 30 years.

Loperfido spent most of the season in the Minor Leagues, competing for the Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons. But he was appointed to Toronto's roster in the middle of the American League Championship Series after Anthony Santander injured his back.

The Haddonfield Memorial High School graduate played sparingly, pinch-hitting in Game 5 of the ALCS. But the Blue Jays have advanced to the World Series after George Springer launched a go-ahead, three-run home run in Monday's Game 7.

The Blue Jays will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, which begins at 8 p.m. Friday.

It's unknown whether Loperfido will make the Jays' World Series roster. But Santander is ineligible for the World Series because of his injury, which opens a potential opportunity for the Haddonfield native.

He's not the only Camden County native on the Jays. Davis Schneider was born in Berlin and attended Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees.

Loperfido, 26, attended Haddonfield Memorial High School, where he lettered in baseball and soccer. He competed for four years at Duke University before the Astros selected him in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB draft.

The left-handed slugger made his MLB debut with the Astros last year. He was traded to the Blue Jays last July as part of the team's acquisition of pitcher Yusei Kikuchi.

Loperfido began the season in Triple-A. He was called up in July, when Andres Giminez was placed on the 10-day injured list, and was optioned back to the minors a month later.

He appeared in 41 regular season games this year, hitting .333 with four home runs and 14 RBI.

The Blue Jays are competing for their first World Series title since 1993 — six years before Loperfido was born.