Nolan Wright looks forward to college baseball experience

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This article was published 21/06/2024 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nolan Wright chuckles when asked to provide his list of pitches he uses from the mound facing opposing batters.

“Those pitches will have to remain undisclosed, and kept to myself, in case anyone is reading this story in the newspaper,” he said.

The 18-year-old Brandon-born and raised pitcher/infielder is currently playing for the U18 AAA Marlins after a stint with the 18U AAA Oildome last season.

Once is summer baseball season is done, Wright will be packing his suitcases and heading to North Dakota this fall to enrol at Dakota College in Bottineau.

“The school is close to home,” he said of his decision to pursue a post-secondary education after graduating from Grade 12 on June 25. “I wanted to do something where I could also show my baseball skills at the college level.”

Wright will be enrolled in a two-year business program and will see what unfolds in his future once he’s done.

Until then, he’s looking forward to the experience playing for the Jacks, where he met another recruit from Swift Current during a tour of the school’s campus and baseball facilities.

“I had a talk with the coach in his office while I was there, and I’m part of his building his team for this season with recruits.

While he played in the Hockey Brandon system up until U18 age group, baseball has been his sport of choice since he was five and honing his hitting, catching and throwing skills playing T-ball at Simplot Field.

Standing six-foot-two you’d expect Wright might have also played on the Vikings volleyball and basketball teams, but he only wore the Vincent Massey ball uniform in the spring.

“Those pitches will have to remain undisclosed, and kept to myself, in case anyone is reading this story in the newspaper.”– Nolan Wright

“Never played any other sports but baseball … I wish I was good enough to hit a basket, but I couldn’t to save my life,” he said laughing.

It was not until his first year of bantam baseball — now referred to as 15U — that Wright discovered his love of pitching as he was able to start throwing a variety of pitches compared to when he was sent to the mound in 11U and 13U.

“Compared to all the other positions I played, pitching was my strongest as a player,” he offered. “Because I’m taller, my preference is to play first base when I’m in the infield. I can field the ball well, and make the tough plays with my reach.”

While he has yet to add a gold medal to his trophy case at home, Wright said his proudest moments to date are the four silver provincial medals he’s garnered since his teams advanced to the July championships.

“It will be nice to get a gold this year with the Marlins, as I only have the four silver so far.”

What his prowess at the plate? Wright said playing AAA baseball affords him better coaching and opportunities in practice to hone his swing at the plate facing different pitchers.

“Over the years I’d say my hitting was at the weak end, but lately, now that I’m playing AAA ball there’s been a major improvement in my hitting.”

What about his favourite minor ball memories playing for Baseball Brandon?

“I’d say playing under the lights at Simplot,” he said. “That was always a fun game when you’re a kid.”

Playing his first organized game in mosquito, he said, is another fond memory.

“I was playing for the Pirates, but I don’t recall anything from the game because that was a long time ago.”

When he’s not on the diamond with the Marlins, you can find Wright working in the Sobey’s produce section, putting out vegetables and fruits for the customers.

Wright sees plenty of potential on his 18U AAA Marlins team since he made the cut during tryouts last spring.

“We’ve had a few bumps on the road so far, but we’re a competitive team as long as we play our best baseball.”

Wright is looking to add that gold medal to place beside his four silver, and he feels his Marlins team has the pitching, hitting and baseball talent under the tutelage of coach Dave Martine to have success at 18U AAA provincials next month.

This it’s off to North Dakota and the start of another chapter in Wright’s baseball career.

» jxavier@brandonsun.com

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