Vaughan's David Calabrese has options after MLB draft -- neither is bad

LA Angels selected Arkansas Razorbacks' commit in 3rd round

Yorkregion.com
June 17, 2020
John Cudmore

David Calabrese is facing a tough call.

That said, the Maple teen is in a position any young baseball player would envy.

The 17-year-old outfielder was selected 82nd overall in the third round of the Major League Baseball draft June 11 by the Los Angeles Angels.

He also has an NCAA scholarship commit to the University of Arkansas due to start later this summer.

Accepting the Razorbacks’ offer would put the speed-bomb Ontario Blue Jays’ product back into the draft in 2023, or following his junior season, after competing for the perennial College World Series contender.

On the other hand, he’s staring at $744,200 in designated slot money he could receive to sign and turn pro with the Angels’ organization.

Decisions, decisions.

“I’m just taking it day-by-day with fingers crossed and waiting to see what happens,” said the left-handed hitting Calabrese.

“Twelve months ago (OBJs) were gearing up for our annual summer trip and tournaments so I wouldn’t have envisioned myself being where I am right now. A lot has happened in the past year.”

It was a unique draft. Rather than the usual 40 rounds, MLB put a five-round limit in place.

Additionally, in the face of COVID-19, major league teams have terminated contracts of hundreds of minor league players in recent weeks after previously indicating, during the off-season, a reduction in the number of minor league affiliations was in the offing.

It made for unpredictability and strategy shifts for MLB teams which chose from North American high school and college players. Nevertheless, Calabrese’s rating rose rapidly with MLB.com ranking him 97th among prospects.

“We had an idea to be in that range but you have to wait and see what’ll happen,” said Calabrese, who followed the draft with family at home. “Obviously, it was a special draft this year and college kids are less of a risk. High school players are a higher risk this time around.”

The graduate of St. Elizabeth Catholic High School in Vaughan turned heads at a Future Stars showcase event held at Boston’s Fenway Park in September. The event brought together the top high school players from across the world.

“That was the turning point for me,” said the five-foot-10, 160-pounder. “I performed well and there were a lot of eyes on the event and a lot of interest.

“I was lucky enough to build some relationships with a few of the teams. The Angels were one of them and I’m grateful they selected me.”

Calabrese, who turns 18 in September, was with Canada’s junior national team in Florida when the pandemic brought baseball, and other sports, to a standstill in March.

Calabrese started playing baseball in the Vaughan Vikings organization. He joined the Canadian Little League program in High Park when he was nine, stayed four seasons before joining the OBJs when he was 12.

Whichever route he chooses, there is no certainty for the immediate future since Canada-U. S. borders remain closed.

In the meantime, he’s getting in swings in a basement setup and throwing into a wall at a nearby school.