Gavin Conticello drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks. {Lenny Conticello}
By: Matt Rothman
After playing high school baseball at Coral Springs Charter and Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Gavin Conticello will get his chance professionally with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Conticello was selected with the 228th pick in the eighth round in the 2021 MLB draft.
“It has been a dream of mine since I was four years old to get drafted and play in the MLB,” Conticello said. “I sacrificed a lot and worked hard, and to finally have that pay off makes it all worth it.”
Conticello started playing baseball in little league. He was one of the smallest kids on the field and always had to work extra hard to get attention until 2020, when he shined over the summer in an event called Summer Factory. He performed in front of numerous scouts and showed off his power at the plate along with his strong glove at third base.
Before that, Conticello spent six and a half years attending Coral Springs Charter and played in 30 games in his varsity career. He hit .286 with the Panthers and had 11 of his 26 hits go for extra bases. Conticello was a captain during his junior season.
“I grew as a person and a player there,” said Conticello. “All the coaches at Coral Springs charter played a huge role in forming me into the player I am today.”
Conticello then transferred to Marjory Stoneman Douglas for his senior season and had the chance to play for one of the top high school teams in the nation. Playing third base and batting second most of the season, Conticello was a key member of the Eagles as they went 28-2 and won both the State and National Championship.
He hit .351 throughout the season and also had five hits and eight RBI’s in the postseason.
“Today is a a great day again for Stoneman Douglas baseball,” said head coach Todd Fitz-Gerald. “Another player off the board in Gavin Conticello and he has a bright future.”
Conticello, though, credits much of his success to his family. He says they sacrificed so much of their time and energy to help him fulfill his goals of playing in the major leagues.
After graduating high school this Spring, Conticello had signed to play college baseball at the University of South Florida. He will have to decide whether he wants to sign with Arizona or go to school and enter the draft another time.
If he decides to go pro, he will be joining a franchise that is on the rebuild. As like his friend Coby Mayo of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who was drafted in 2020, he will l have to work his way through the minor leagues in hopes of getting the call to play with the Diamondbacks.
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Author Profile
- Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is now attending the University of Florida as a graduate student.
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