Standing at the plate, Class of 2017, Rancho Bernardo (CA) High School outfielder, Calvin Mitchell prepares his normal routine. “Before I step in the box, I draw an E in the sand for my little brother named Elijah,” says Mitchell. ”I picked that up from a big leaguer. He wrote the first letter of his wife’s name for her, so I thought that would be a good tribute to my little brother.”  

Now, as Mitchell nears the end of his high school career, he is gearing up to be the hometown hero when he begins his collegiate career at the University of San Diego. “I wanted to make sure that I stayed local,” explained Mitchell who chose USD over schools such as USC. “Staying in the state of California was the priority. My grandpa played basketball there and was the head coach for a long time. My mom also graduated there, so it was a bit of a family tie.”

 

   The family has always played a large part in Mitchell’s early baseball career, and when it came time for a college decision, they were right by his side. “They’ve given me all the support in the world,” he says. “My mom, my dad, and my little brother have come to all my baseball games and supported me through everything.”

This support has definitely helped him on the field and after being selected for the Perfect Game All-American Game later this month, he has proved to be a top player in the 2017 class. “I’m motivated by that childhood dream of wanting to be a major league baseball player.” says the 6’1”, 200lb outfielder. “That’s what keeps my grinding and what keeps me going. That ultimate goal of reaching the top.”

 

His journey to the top could become more interesting next year, as he will eligible to enter the MLB Draft. Per MLB rules, high school players are allowed to enter the draft and as long as they do not sign with a team, he can return to college and spend four years with a team. With the draft less than a year away, that is certainly on Mitchell’s mind. “Absolutely, I’ll enter the MLB Draft and take my chances.” he continued. “ Whether I sign out of high school or go to USD is a decision I’ll make later.”

The decision he makes will not go without plenty of thought. An avid fan of the game, Mitchell stands out due to his high baseball IQ and his incredible ability to hit for power. “In a pressure situation or when seems tend to get tough, I rely on my training and my work ethic. I know that I put in the hours and the days so that I can succeed in those situations.”

 

   Despite his recent success, it hasn’t always been easy for Mitchell. Picking up the game at the age of four, he has always felt pressure to succeed, leading to plenty of nerves on the field. However, now that he is nearly 18 years old, he has learned to get through it all. “ I’ve had to overcome having nerves, trusting in my abilities, trusting in my practice, and knowing what I can really do as a player.”

Now, as his high school career winds down, Calvin Mitchell will have a tough decision to make, in whether to trust his family ties and play at USD or to fulfill his dream of becoming a major league baseball player. No matter which decision he makes, Calvin Mitchell is a player to keep on your radar in the 2017 class, as he continues his “Family Ties.”