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Big league dreams and beauty pageants
Note: This is part two of a two-part story on area baseball prospect Kaleb DeLaTorre
Former Fort Scott High School three-sport star, Kaleb DeLaTorre, is coming off a splendid freshman baseball campaign with Neosho (Kan.) Community College. DeLaTorre has kept the momentum going with the Joplin Outlaws of the MINK League, hitting .351 on the season.
In the field, DeLaTorre’s versatility extends to shortstop, as he made the switch to second base after his sophomore season at Fort Scott High School. DeLaTorre said there was a learning curve transitioning from shortstop to second.
“It’s a little bit of a different angle and view from the field perspective,” he said. “The throws are little tougher, a little deeper of area to cover, but I’ve always played up the middle.”
Neosho head baseball coach Steve Murry said DeLaTorre was a key cog in the team’s run to the Region XI championship game this spring.
“He may have been our best offensive player during the playoffs,” said Murry. “He also provided super defense.”
DeLaTorre, however, acknowledged he hopes to make major strides defensively this summer with the Outlaws.
“I need to work on my quickness, my lateral movement and my arm strength,” he said, adding, that at the plate he plans on improving in the area of hitting off-speed pitches.
“I’ve always been taught, ‘chase the fastball, look for a fastball,’” he said. “But the off-speed pitches at this level are pretty tough to hit.”
Fort Scott High School baseball head coach, Josh Regan, said DeLaTorre already possesses the physical tools necessary to be an elite middle infielder.
“Kaleb has a great glove, because of his excellent hand-eye coordination,” noted Regan. “He started out with an average arm at best, but he played long-toss every day in our program and developed to the point where he had plenty of arm to play shortstop.
“He has below-average foot-speed and, therefore range. He will have to improve on that. But he gets a great read off the bat. His greatest attribute is probably his instincts. He was one of our slower guys as far as straight-line speed but he was our best base-runner because he’s so smart.”
MLB AMBITIONS
At the end of the day, DeLaTorre said he has one overriding objective –– to get drafted and ultimately suit up for a Major League Baseball team.
“It’s kind of crazy that it’s already here,” said DeLaTorre. “I remember just being a kid and playing the game and, now you see guys my age being drafted. It’s always been a goal and it would be awesome for it to happen –– but I have a lot of work to do and more time to develop.”
Regan said there is no doubt in his mind that DeLaTorre can one day play professionally.
“My uncle Dave LaRoche (who played in the majors from 1970-83) always talks about how the talent level at the professional level doesn’t vary as much as you might think,” said Regan. “Especially from Double AA to the Big Leagues.”
Regan continued: “What sets players apart is their mental toughness and ability to really play at their best instead of allowing their head to get in the way. I think because of Kaleb’s mental acumen there is no lid for his game. I definitely think he can play professionally and then it just comes down to getting the right opportunities at the right time.”
Regan added, “Kaleb is an Incredible teammate and incredible kid. He was voted team captain and it was almost unanimous. He is class personified, nice, polite, humble, takes care of business in the classroom and works his tail off. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe him.”
Murry echoed Regan’s sentiments.
I coached his dad (Jeff), and Kaleb is a great kid,” said Murry. “We wanted him since his sophomore year (in high school). We love the kid and his willingness to work. I have known the family forever.”
OUTLAW FOR A SUMMER
The Outlaws should consider sending a thank you card to DeLaTorre’s girlfriend of two years, Chloe Bartlett.
DeLaTorre said the primary reason he chose to play for the Outlaws this summer, was so he could remain close to Bartlett, a 2017 graduate of Nevada High School, who currently attends cosmetology school in Webb City.
“It’s definitely special to have her around,” said DeLaTorre. “She wasn’t always a baseball fan, but I think I’ve kind of made her one.
“It’s always kind of nice to have that support and, I go and support her in the pageants,” he said, referring to Bartlett’s budding modeling career.
Bartlett was recently selected as a finalist to become Jovani’s top model for a year. In addition, Bartlett was the 2016 Miss Missouri Teen USA first runner-up. DeLaTorre said that was one of the pageants he couldn’t get to because of a prior commitment on the Neosho campus, but added he paid a fee to watch the pageant online.
DeLaTorre said he was impressed with Bartlett’s defensive prowess on the hardwood her freshman and sophomore seasons as a varsity starter for the Nevada Lady Tigers basketball team.
“I remember watching some old highlight tapes of her. I could have used some defensive tips from her,” DeLaTorre said with a wry smile. “I had always heard that she was a good defender, and she could score a little bit.”
“He’s doing great for the Outlaws,” said Bartlett. “He just hit a two-run home run the other night.”
DeLaTorre will be in Nevada today and Sunday, as the Outlaws square off with the Griffons in a MINK League South division matchup, with the first pitch set for 7 p.m.
In addition to his parents Jeff and Angie, DeLaTorre has a younger brother, Jacob.