MLB draft candidate Sal Frelick grew up in Massachusetts as a three-sport athlete, playing football, hockey, and baseball. During high school, Frelick explored the opportunity to play both football and baseball at the college level.
He was a baseball player before he attended Boston College, and now he has the opportunity to practice the sport professionally. He plays the outfield, a position he only played three years ago as a newcomer to BC. The junior is expected to be drafted in the top half of the first round of the 2021 MLB draft, July 11-13.
“It’s really surreal,” Frelick said on Glenn Clark Radio on June 17th. “Like I said, three years ago I didn’t even know if I was playing baseball [full time]. I had a few injuries during college … and to put it all together and see where I am today is very special. I’m just really grateful for the opportunity. “
The 5-foot, 9,175-pound frelick played at Boston College from 2019 to 2021. He said he was lucky enough to play alongside other talented players while growing up in New England, but instead of going to college like other players in the area, the Lexington, Massachusetts chose to stay at home.
Frelick knew immediately that an offer to play baseball at Boston College was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down. He said the program represented a “dark, tough brand of baseball”.
Frelick scored 0.345 / 0.435 / 0.521 in 102 games in three years at BC. The left-handed batter had 139 hits, 12 home runs and 63 RBIs. He also won the ACC Baseball Defensive Player of the Year 2021 for his midfield game. His dominant play earned him a watchlist for USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award.
Frelick prides itself on being a player who rarely strikes and always eager to get the ball into play.
“I know if I get the ball into play I have the best chance of getting on base and if I miss a lot I don’t give myself a chance,” Frelick said, thinking about how he already has that mentality developed at a young age. “I definitely think that’s the mindset I’ve always wanted to play with.”
But the Eagles’ leadoff hitter doesn’t shy away from swinging on the first pitch, which is attributed to his aggressive nature.
“I’ll go deep into the count. I’ll have good bats, but at the same time I’ll lose the upper hand if I lose that aggressive advantage, ”said Frelick. “That’s how I always carried myself and played the game.”
Frelick was recently mocked at number 5 on the Orioles by Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline. Under GM Mike Elias, the Orioles are known for being prone to heavy college hitters in the draft. If selected by Baltimore, Frelick has confidence that he is up to the opportunity and exceeding the organization’s expectations.
“I’ve kept that competitive edge with me no matter how big the moment is,” said Frelick. “The only thing I think about is punching the guy in front of me and that has always given me the upper hand. So I know that any organization that calls me up is the player they are going to get – and no matter how big the spotlight is, I will always play [to] my best.”
Frelick is already partially familiar with Baltimore’s organization as he played Hudson Haskin summer ball at North East Baseball in high school with Oriole’s 2020 second-round draft pick. Frelick described Haskin as an “incredibly athletic” player who plays every game incredibly hard.
Regardless of where he ends, Frelick is excited about his future as a professional baseball player and believes that any organization can help him grow and improve as an athlete.
“I’ve always found that I can athletically and physically do almost anything I’ve been taught, but it actually grows and learns the position more and the game more,” said Frelick.
For more from Frelick, including his Red Sox and Steelers fandom, listen here:
Photo credit: BC Athletics
source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/boston-college-of-potential-orioles-target-sal-frelick-path-to-2021-mlb-draft-surreal/
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