Mississippi State signee Dante Nori preparing for a big day
Over the next couple of days, Dante Nori’s life could be changing.
One of the highest rated outfielders in the country heading into the MLB Draft on Sunday, Nori was invited to the Draft Combine last month. He had a chance to go to meetings and talk to teams about the opportunities ahead.
It was also a chance for Nori to see some great players and interact with them. It’s an experience he won’t forget anytime soon.
“It was cool going to all of the meetings and stuff and that’s about all I participated in,” Nori said. “I saw Dakota (Jordan), Conrad (Cason), Jurrangelo (Cijntje) and guys like that. As it gets closer, this is setting in where you think back to being five years old and dreaming of this. It’s a win-win here. You get drafted and start a professional career early, or you go to Mississippi State and play for a great program.”
The Mississippi State signee, Nori has been committed to the Diamond Dawgs almost as long as anyone. The left handed bat pledged to State all the way back in 2021 and has remained committed to Chris Lemonis since.
Despite being one of the top outfielders in high school heading into Sunday’s MLB Draft, Nori has kept the possibility open to playing college ball at Dudy Noble Field.
“Coach Lem not going anywhere made me want to stay,” Nori said. “The fanbase there is unbelievable, and I want to be a part of that organization. We knew coach Lem prior at Indiana and had a relationship with him, so we’ve known him for most of my baseball career. Seeing the way he coaches and how guys are around him, he wants to win.”
It’s easy to see why Nori could be starting his professional career soon.
The 5’10, 190-pound OF is one of the fastest players in the entire draft. He runs a 6.15 60-yard dash and burns up the 30-yarder at 3.48. His outfield velocity has topped out at 97 and he’s been a strong hitter with the potential as a top-of-the-order bat.
The maturity level has also been impressive and it’s thanks in large part to his influences. Nori’s grandfather, Fred, was a longtime baseball coach with a couple of stops at Indiana. Dante’s father, has coached in the NBA for the last 15 years and is on the Minnesota Timberwolves staff now.
With athletics deep in his blood, his will to win has made him the player that he is.
“I think what really makes up my game is my hate for losing,” Nori said. “If I got a second place medal when I was little I got pissed off. My passion for winning really drives me. That will and drive to win I think sets me apart.”
The maturity level is a great asset, but his age could be a factor that plays in the Bulldogs’ favor. The downside of recruiting an older player like Nori is that you likely will only have him for two seasons. The plus is that his age as a high schooler could cause MLB teams to shy away at this point.
As Nori approaches his 20th birthday in just three months, there is talk that some teams won’t be interested in taking a player of his age in the early round. Nori is projected in the first two rounds of the draft and the Bulldog coaching staff will sweat it out until the draft finishes.
If he does somehow make it to Starkville, however, State has a special player on its hands ready to play immediately. If that’s how it plays out for the talented outfielder, he’s perfectly fine with it and he believes in the direction of the program.
“I can see myself at the top of the lineup and starting as a freshman. I think I can make a big difference for the team right away,” Nori said. “I see a lot of perseverance with this program. I’ve seen a lot of blame on coach Lem, but there were a lot of injuries the last couple of years and things are getting back to normal. I never gave up on them and I hated how people were wanting Lem gone. To be where they are now, it’s a great spot to be.”
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