Nick Dalesandro, a recent graduate of Joliet Catholic Academy, was selected in the 33^rd round of the 2015 June MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. Dalesandro enjoyed an impressive four-year varsity baseball career, winning two state championships for the Hilltoppers in the process.

Dalesandro, who will attend Purdue University on a full athletic scholarship in the fall if he doesn’t pursue a professional career, was the winning pitcher as a sophomore in the 2013 Class 3A IHSA State Championship. He duplicated the feat in the summer of 2014, leading the Hilltoppers to the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Summer State Championship.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound athlete played multiple positions for head coach Jared Voss over his career, and was capable of playing any position on the diamond. Dalesandro was drafted by the Tigers as a catcher.

In the spring of 2015, Dalesandro went 3-0 on the mound in 39 innings pitched, allowing 24 hits, striking out 55 and walking only 9; good for a miniscule 0.89 ERA. At the plate, he hit .380 with seven doubles, three triples, two home runs, 31 RBI, 32 runs scored, and 16 walks, leading JCA to an East Suburban Catholic Conference Championship. Dalesandro garnered several awards following his senior year: East Suburban Catholic All-Conference Team, Joliet Herald News First Team All-Area, and Prep Baseball Report Third Team All-State.

Dalesandro joins former JCA star left-handed pitcher Kevin Duchene, giving JCA two MLB selections in this June’s Draft, more than any other high school in the state of Illinois. Duchene was selected in the fifth round, with the 158^th overall selection, by the Oakland Athletics. In two professional starts, Duchene has thrown three total innings, and has yet to allow a run. He was recently promoted from the Arizona League Athletics to the Class A Short Season Vermont Lake Monsters in the New York-Penn League.

Duchene and Dalesandro join JCA alums Johnny Ruettiger ‘08 (Baltimore Orioles) and Joe Benson ‘05 who are both still currently active in the minor leagues.