This summer the Westfield Starfires will see an unusual sight: two brothers taking the mound together for the same club. Thomas Pirog, a right‑handed pitcher who can hit 92 mph on his fastball, and his younger sibling Nate, a left‑hander sidelined by a serious back injury, have been placed on the same roster in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England.
A bond forged on childhood diamonds
The Pirog brothers have been playing together since they were kids, moving from backyard toss‑ups to high school fields in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Their father, Matt Pirog, played soccer at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, while their grandfather, Phil Pirog, earned places in both the Bristol Sports and Connecticut High School Coaches Association halls of fame.
Thomas’s 2026 season has been highlighted by an all‑star selection after he posted a 2.39 ERA and struck out 30 batters over 26 ⅓ innings for the Starfires. His fastball velocity and consistency have made him one of the league’s most feared arms.
Nate’s road to recovery
Nate missed the 2026 college season because of a back injury that required extensive rehabilitation. During his recovery he maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned a spot on the Dean’s List at Keene State College. In his limited appearances for the Starfires this summer he has a 6.48 ERA and has appeared in eight games, each outing a step toward regaining his former form.
Family legacy and future plans
Looking ahead to the fall
Both brothers will return to Keene State College in the autumn, where Thomas will continue his studies while Nate aims to build on his summer work. Their younger brother Jake, a left‑handed pitcher and outfielder, is slated to start freshman year at Bristol Central High School, ensuring the Pirog baseball lineage continues.