Mark Vientos may only be sixteen years old, but he already knows where he wants to go. “My goal is to get a degree, and if God has a plan for me to get drafted out of high school, then I want to make it to the major leagues,” he said. “I want to complete my dream of playing major league baseball.” Making the MLB may not be so far-fetched for the Junior from Charles W. Flanagan High School (Pembroke Pines, Florida). He already is committed to attend the University of Miami after he graduates in 2017.  “I had like five schools that were on my list of where I wanted to go, and Miami was the top one. It’s right next to my house, I’ve always been a Hurricane fan, and I really loved the campus. I loved everything about it.” Vientos said on his decision to commit to Miami.

 

Mark Vientos was born December 11, 1999, making him a year younger than most high school Juniors, but that didn’t stop him from entering the radar of college coaches all over the country. Many schools would have loved to offer 6’3” shortstop, but once Vientos received an offer from Miami, others didn’t stand a chance. “The first offer I got was Miami and I just jumped on it, although I had schools that were interested. [Schools] that wanted me to visit and see the campus.” Vientos explained. By committing to Miami so early in his high school career, Vientos has the opportunity to focus on developing his game with not only Charles W. Flanagan but also individually. “I’m working at this facility called Bommarito Performance Systems. They have gotten me to the level that I’m at and also at my high school, we have training over here that is awesome. I’ve gotten a lot stronger and faster over the years.”

 

Vientos’ progression with Bommarito has helped him develop into one of the best baseball players in the Class of 2017, but his ascent to stardom started way before his arrival at Bommarito: “I was three years old when I started playing baseball. My older brother started throwing me whiffle balls and I started hitting soon after,” Vientos said. “When my dad saw me hit those whiffle balls, he knew that I was going to be a baseball player.” Ever since then, Vientos has aspired towards becoming one of the best baseball players in the country, but there is one thing that motivates him more than anything. “What motivates me is my parents. My parents always keep me up. Whatever I have in my mind, whatever I have to do, they have taught me that, I could do it if I work hard for it.” Vientos emphasized.

 

While his progress is apparent, it is clear that he isn’t done yet. With two years left in high school and a great future ahead of him at the University of Miami, Vientos seems to be well prepared to face the challenges that will inevitably stand in his way. “I need to keep working because I’m playing with kids that are a year older than me. I have to be on the top of my game every time. It’s tough, but I gotta keep working.”  

 

With his recruitment out of the way and plenty of baseball left to play, Mark Vientos has a tremendous chance to continue to prosper as one of the best baseball players in the Class of 2017. It will be interesting to watch him continue to succeed and pursue his ultimate goal of making it to the major leagues. Although he has a long way to go, Mark Vientos is already a name to remember in high school baseball.