Parksville Royals pitcher Anson McGorman has committed to play for Sacramento State University in the fall of 2021.
The 17-year-old grew up in Parksville and developed his game with the Oceanside Minor Baseball and the Royals program.
McGorman last played for the Royals in the 2019 season, recording 69 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched. He then moved to Vauxhall Academy of Baseball in Alberta, 15 hours away from home.
When McGorman first joined the Parksville Royals as a 15-year-old, he already showed great potential as he took on players who were a couple of years older than he was. He finished the season with .297 batting average with a .413 on-base percentage.
In October, Anson competed for Team World at the Future Star Series showcase that was held in Boston at Fenway Park. McGorman impressed scouts with an eye-catching 90 mph fastball and worked in a 77-79 mph curveball in a clean 1-2-3 inning that included two strikeouts and a groundout.
McGorman was invited to visit Sacramento State and Illinois State. The Sacramento State Hornets of the Western Athletic Conference offered McGorman an opportunity to pitch for them and he accepted.
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“I’ve always wanted to go to a Division I [NCAA] school,” McGorman indicated in his interview with Prep Baseball Report. “After my velo jumped I got more notice. I was below everyone else but then I got that jump and I started talking to schools and I kind of got a chance here.”
Hornets coach Reggie Christiansen indicated that they always keep a close eye on the talent coming out of the BC Premier Baseball League.
“We are thrilled that Anson is joining our program,” said Christiansen.
“With a number of our players graduating in the spring of 2021, Anson has an opportunity to make an impact on our rotation early in his time with us.”
McGorman’s father, Rob, credits the Royals program for helping his son establish a solid baseball foundation that has help him reach this milestone.
“Anson matured under coach Dieleman in the Royals bantam program and really flourished under coach Kaluzniak on the senior team,” said Rob.
Royals head coach Frank Kaluzniak worked closely with Anson this past summer on his mechanics and pitch execution and was pleased to hear McGorman’s news.
“Anson has rare raw talent,” Kaluzniak aid. “I’m proud of all of the hard work he’s put in and the sacrifices he’s made to get where is today. If Anson continues to work hard translating his talent to skill, his projectable ceiling is very high.”