Gino De Santis is swinging for the stars and is establishing himself as one of Canada's top emerging baseball talents.
The 16-year-old Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) student is currently ranked #2 in Ontario for his graduating class of 2027.
De Santis recently took part in the Prospect Games. The exclusive event gathers some of the top baseball prospects in the country and allows them to showcase their skills and compete against each other.
The teen even had the chance to be coached by Major League Baseball (MLB) legend José Bautista.
De Santis not only participated in the Prospects Game but was also one of eight players chosen to take part in the home run derby. During the derby, he hit multiple homers including one that broke a sign at the Rogers Centre.
De Santis credits his growth to his family and his school community. He believes John McGregor Secondary School's commitment to supporting student-athletes and smaller class sizes have helped him balance his academics and athletics. He cites starting a Spanish Club, at the recommendation of a teacher, as one of his most notable high school moments. He added that it helped with interpersonal and leadership qualities, skills that are needed both on and off the field.
His long-term goal is to play professionally on an MLB team, but beyond baseball, De Santis has expressed interest in a career in physiotherapy.