May has been a busy and eventful month for Tyler Danish.
June could be even better.
It’s been just two weeks since he took his Durant baseball team to the Class 8A state championship in Fort Myers — and things haven’t quieted down since his high school career ended.
His phone has been ringing off the hook, and pro scouts have made long trips to his home, telling him how they believe their franchise is the right fit for the right-handed pitcher.
A week from now, Danish will be presented with an important decision — one few 18-year-olds have to make and one many players only dream of making.
Danish has been verbally committed to the University of Florida since the summer going into his junior year at Durant, but after two stellar seasons, including not allowing an earned run in 94 innings pitched his senior year, Danish’s MLB draft stock has skyrocketed, while the Gators hope they can keep one of the best prep pitchers in the nation on their recruitment list.
FOCUS
High school can be stressful for most athletes, having to balance classes with athletic commitments.
Throw in constant contact and meetings with scouts, loads of media attention and every opposing team putting a bull’s-eye on your back, and it can be overwhelming.
“It’s hard to be the guy that everyone looks up to and the guy the other team wants to beat, but I think I did an amazing job of keeping focused and just playing the way I always play and play my way,” said the standout, after Durant’s 8-3 loss to Lake Brantley in the Class 8A state championship.
Danish learned the fine art of composure — both on the mound and in daily life — from his parents.
“Ever since I was little, they taught me to stay focused when I was on the mound and not let my emotions show,” he said.
The ace kept this demeanor through his senior season with the Cougars, and if his dominating pitches weren’t intimidating enough, Danish’s stoic-like presence on the mound struck fear into batters and opposing teams.
Social-media sites such as Facebook and Twitter were populated with comments about Danish from competition all season. Some were trash talk, echoed by live performances from the opposing dugouts. Others were teams practically admitting defeat before the 6-1, 185-pound right-hander even took the mound.
“We know they didn’t want to see TD on the mound,” Durant coach Butch Valdes said after a win over Timber Creek gave Durant its first region championship. “When he pitches, he does what he always does — shuts them up and shuts the door.”
Last week, he met with scouts from the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds. Earlier this week, he had a workout for the Miami Marlins. And all this while counting down the days until high school graduation and accepting a plethora of awards. Danish already has been named the best player in the state by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association and is up for the MaxPreps National Player of the Year and the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Through all this, he has maintained that same composure he shows on the mound.
“I’d rather be in this situation than not to be in this situation,” he said. “This has always been a dream of mine, and I’m just glad that I’m able to be living it.”
SOMETHING TO PROVE
There’s a saying that numbers never lie.
But that’s not always the case with high school baseball.
Although Danish’s video game-like numbers draw a lot of attention, it is his mechanics and skill set that is piquing the interest of pro scouts.
In addition to the Reds, Astros and Marlins, Danish met with more than 10 MLB teams before his senior season began.
Most were looking at Danish as a reliever.
Halfway through his senior season, he added a third pitch to his repertoire — a changeup.
According to Danish, scouts say that all three of his pitches — fastball, slider and changeup — have all developed into plus or plus plus pitches, referring to how effective they are when thrown.
His fastball sits comfortably at 92-93 mph and possesses great movement, thanks to his unique 3/4 delivery. His slider was practically un-hittable against high school hitters, and his changeup has developed into an effective third pitch that is lethal when matched with his dominating fastball.
With three effective pitches, Danish has heard from scouts that he could be a starting pitcher or reliever in the pros, which was gratifying to hear for the young ace, who came into the season on a mission.
“I had a chip on my shoulder to prove scouts wrong and show that I could be a starter in the minors and MLB,” he said. “My dream was always to be a starting pitcher, but I’m certainly open to other roles. I realize that you can’t be picky or choosy with things like this.”
Some scouts believe Danish could be an effective closer, a role that has moved several young MLB pitchers quickly through the minors.
“If my role becomes getting three outs every night, I’m fine with that,” Danish said of being a closer. “I just want an opportunity to play.”
INKING A DEAL
Before he has an opportunity to start or close out a game in the pros, he has to close on a contract with a major league team. Danish’s draft stock has risen over the last year. He has heard anywhere from the first to seventh round.
Many things go into the draft process, but above all is a player’s signability — how likely a MLB franchise will sign a prospect, thus not wasting a draft pick.
For Danish, it will come down to money. Through signing bonuses and Minor League contracts, if Danish goes in the early rounds and is signed, he could be well on his way of being a millionaire before he’s 21.
“Right now, all sides are looking for the perfect situation,” he said. “Teams are trying to determine my signability, and for me, I’ll have to sit down with my family and talk it over to see what the best decision is.”
Coaches at Florida obviously hope Danish will stay committed, which will ensure he plays for the Gators for three seasons before being eligible for the draft again, unless he decides to transfer to a junior college.
“I know Florida offers a great education, and they have a great team, so I know if getting signed doesn’t happen, I’ll have a great experience at UF,” he said. “It’s really a win-win situation, all around.”
MLB FIRST YEAR PLAYER DRAFT
WHEN: June 6 to 8
COVERAGE: June 6 coverage will be live on MLB Network and MLB.com. June 7 and 8 will be live on MLB.com. Follow the Plant City Observer on Twitter @PlantCitySports and LIKE us on Facebook for updates on Tyler Danish.
DETAILS: Also known as the Rule 4 Draft, the First Year Player Draft is Major League Baseball’s primary source for providing players to MLB teams and Minor League systems. High school players are eligible after graduation, along with all junior or community college players. Players at four-year colleges that have completed their junior year or are 21 years old are also eligible. The draft consists of up to 40 rounds.
DANISH’S DIGITS
Tyler Danish led Durant in the following categories:
0.00 — The final ERA, after 94 innings pitched as a senior.
156 — The number of strikeouts this season, compared to just 16 walks.
15 — Danish was responsible for more than half of Durant’s wins this season, finishing with a 15-1 record.
.411 — Season batting average
27 — Danish’s RBIs
9 — Danish’s home runs
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