With preseason baseball practice already underway, many athletes are focusing on earning spots on rosters, improving fundamentals, and working toward a state title.
Dillon pitcher Jamie Callahan is also focused on his future.
The right hander is ranked as one of the top 100 high school seniors in the nation by Baseball America, and he could be a high pick in the Major League Draft this June.
"That's always been my dream ever since I started playing baseball,” Callahan said of playing professional baseball.
Even if he’s drafted, though, he may not join a team. Not yet, at least. Callahan also is a USC signee, and the closer he gets to the draft, the more he thinks about the choice he’ll have to make between the Gamecocks and the pros.
"It creates a very tough decision,” Callahan said. “You know, you just kind of wait to play it out and see how the season goes. And then from there, who knows where it's going to go."
With a five-pitch repertoire including a fastball clocked above 90 miles per hour, it’s no wonder major league teams are salivating over him. Callahan estimates 15 major league scouts have already contacted him.
But it won’t be easy to sway him from his commitment to South Carolina.
"It's going to take a good amount of money to turn down South Carolina, being the two-time national champions," Callahan said.
Callahan knows the decision will remain on his throughout the season, but he isn’t letting the pressure get to him. Though the looming decision may be difficult, he says he’s glad to have the talent to be in this position.
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