It has been memorable week for Mississippi State signee Dante Nori. The Northville High School (MI) star outfielder helped lead the program to its first ever state title in baseball just five days ago. Earlier this week, Nori was named Mr. Baseball by the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association. The hard hitting lefty was not able to receive the award, because he is in Phoenix, Arizona for the Major League Baseball combine.
Nori is considered one of the top high school prospects in the draft, so he was invited out west to showcase his skills. The truth of the matter is there is not much left to prove for the Diamond Dawg signee. The hay is in the barn, so to speak. It will all boil down to what happens in next month's draft. This week's combine will provide scouts and executives their final chance to lay eyes on draft prospects before making their selections.
There is no doubt that Nori is one of the top prep prospects in the country. The question is how much are MLB teams willing to spend to get him to forego his college eligibility and ink a pro contract? The answer to that query is still not known. Nori is just looking to keep his head where his feet are and take it one step at a time.
"The experience has been great," Nori shared. "You show up, they pat you on the back, hand you your schedule and say good luck. You just roll from there. The environment is cool. It's nice having all of these team meetings. You get to know some of the crosscheckers and some of the GMs. It's also great getting to see so many guys that you see on the college field and you get to run into a lot of high school players that you know."
Some of those high school players are fellow Mississippi State signees. While the schedule has kept them all hopping, there have been some opportunities to speak and hang out a little.
"I have seen Conrad (Cason) and Cade O'Leary," Nori said. "I had the chance to say Hi to (Jurrangelo) Cijntje. I saw Dakota (Jordan) this morning. It's all cool. I saw that Charlie (Foster) committed yesterday too."
Cijntje and Jordan were a part of pre-draft events two years ago, but opted to go to Mississippi State for two seasons. Nori will be faced with the same decision in the weeks ahead. While many have their predictions, not even Nori knows for sure what is going to happen.
"You have Mississippi State," Nori said. "You have that fanbase, that coaching staff and it's all just unbelievable. Then, you have pro baseball that you've dreamed about playing since you were five years old. I'm approaching it as what ever happens, happens. If the opportunity comes and it's right, then you take advantage of it."
Nori is leaning on the counsel of his family and those who love him the most, but shares that the final decision will be about him and what he feels is the best situation for himself. There are no wrong answers. Nori could sign a pro deal this summer or perhaps go to school for two years and sign a bigger one.
"My dad has told me that it's my future and my decision," Nori said. "He said that I haven't worked this hard just to be where I am right now. It's in my hands, so my family just sort of stands where I go."
The interaction with front office folks from the big leagues has been positive. Nori has been able to get some feedback about his game and gauge the interest levels of some clubs.
"They all like the hit tool," Nori said. "I think that's the best thing that I bring to the table. I am not going to swing and miss. I am going to get on base. It's a good reckless. That's what I describe myself as. People mention the speed, but it's really about an all-around tool set that can get something going from the top of the line-up."
Mississippi State folks are crossing their fingers in hopes of seeing Nori hitting in the leadoff spot when the Diamond Dawgs open the season in February. Nori vows that should he enroll for school that he will bring his full tool bag to work every single game to help the program win.
"I am someone that will bring energy every single day," Nori said. "I know the fans get into it as much as I do. I am going to feed off their energy out on the field. I love playing in front of big crowds. Just coming off a state championship last Saturday, I know that's not even a tenth of the atmosphere (Mississippi State fans) bring every single game. If I get to be a part of that, it's going to be one hell of a thing."
