Oakville pitcher selected by Kansas City Royals in fifth round of MLB Draft
Published July 13, 2021 at 3:26 pm
Oakville’s Eric Cerantola gave up hockey for baseball.
It’s turned out to be a pretty good move.
The Mississippi State pitcher, whose fastball can hit triple digits, was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the fifth-round, 139th overall, of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft.
The multi-sport talented athlete first drew attention on the ice, where he was an eighth-round pick of the Owen Sound Attack in the 2016 Ontario Hockey League Priority League Selection.
The six-foot-five, 222-pound right-handed hurler instead chose baseball and Mississippi State where he struck out 24 and posted a 5.71 ERA in 17⅓ innings this season as the Bulldogs won a national championship.
The Ecole Secondaire Catholique Sainte-Trinite graduate is considered a high risk, high reward prospect.
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While his raw ability could make him a force in professional baseball, his spotty control and command ultimately resulted in his losing a starting role for the eventual College World Series champions.
While the Royals are likely have Cerantola begin his pro career as a starter, scouts say a move to the bullpen could be in the offing if he can’t reliably throw all three of his pitches (fastball, curveball and changeup) for strikes.
Cerantola, who averages 95 mph with his fastball, has some upside as a late-inning arm if he can do a better job of finding the zone.
Cerantola was a member of the Canadian National U18 team that placed fourth at the 2018 World Championships.
MISSISSIPPI STATE PHOTO
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