Demi Orimoloye
| Demi Orimoloye | |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: January 6, 1997 Nigeria | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Oluwademilade Oluwadamilola "Demi" Orimoloye (born January 6, 1997) is a Canadian professional baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers' organization. He attended St. Matthew Catholic High School in Ottawa, and was considered a top prospect in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft. The Brewers selected Orimoloye in the fourth round.
Early life
Orimoloye was born to Adenike and Segun Orimoloye in Nigeria.[1][2] His father, Segun, is an architect, and both of his parents worked for the Nigerian government.[3] They moved to Canada when Demi was eighteen months old, and live in Orleans, Ontario. Demi has a younger brother, Temi.[3]
Baseball career
Orimoloye began playing Little League Baseball at the age of 10. He attends St. Matthew Catholic High School in Ottawa.[4] He joined for the Canadian junior national baseball team when he was 15 years old.[1][2] In 2014, he traveled with the national baseball team to Orlando, Florida, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. He appeared in the Under Armour All-America Game, which is held for the 40 best high school baseball prospects.[5] In February 2015, Orimoloye was named a High School All-American by Baseball America.[6][7] He was also named the Most Valuable Player at the 2015 Area Code Games.[1]
Orimoloye committed to attend the University of Oregon to play college baseball for the Oregon Ducks baseball team.[6] He was eligible to be selected in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft, and has been ranked among the 50 best prospects available in the draft by Baseball America[8] and Perfect Game.[4] The Milwaukee Brewers selected Orimoloye in the fourth round, with the 121st overall selection, of the draft.[9][10] He signed with the Brewers, reportedly receiving a $450,000 signing bonus, and reported to the Arizona Brewers of the Rookie-level Arizona League to make his professional debut.[11]
Playing style
Orimoloye is 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and weighs 225 pounds (102 kg).[1] Greg Hamilton, coach of the Canadian junior team, has called Orimoloye a "special athlete",[12] who "looks like a kid who’d normally be going to the University of Texas to play tight end".[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Bradley, Jeff. "Canadian prospect Demi Orimoloye bidding to make baseball history". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ^ a b "Orimoloye looking ahead to 2015 draft". Canadian Baseball Network. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ^ a b Scanlan, Wayne. "Scanlan: Orléans teen a top prospect". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ^ a b Scott Harrigan. "Orimoloye no longer OF of untapped potential". The Independent Sports News. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ^ Warren, Ken. "Big league attention for Ottawa's big league prospect – Ottawa Citizen". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ^ a b "Baseball Canada – Naylor, Orimoloye named High School All-Americans". baseball.ca. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ^ "Canada's baseball future on display". Toronto Sun. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ^ Rogers Digital Media. "Top Canadian prospect Orimoloye eyes majors". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ^ "Demi Orimoloye of Ottawa drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 4th Round: Orimoloye, 18, was born in Nigeria but raised in Ottawa suburb of Orleans". CBC News. June 9, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ^ "Demi Orimoloye drafted to MLB". orleansstar.ca. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
- ^ "Orleans outfielder inks pro contract with Brewers". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
- ^ "Naylor, Orimoloye impressing at Tournament 12". Toronto Blue Jays. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference (Minors)