Why You Should Take Cam Bortone

Allow me to introduce myself as a career educator. My job is to identify, develop, and bring out the best in individuals. My favorite side job has been coaching and leading my son’s travel baseball team for the past nine years. I have had the best spot in the world to watch him and kids like Cam Bortone do what they love, while helping them develop into some high level baseball players.

I worked in sales a few times before I got my teaching license. I graduated from Purdue University with a degree in communications and marketing, so I know what it takes to try and sell a person on a product or an idea. The problem was, that I never really found anything I believed in or loved to sell. I hated the idea of trying to sell someone on something for the sole purpose of padding my own pockets. That is why I wanted to get into the world of teaching and coaching. I wanted be able to impact people’s lives and help them reach their potential.

It is also why I am writing this message now. I know what Cam has to offer a baseball program at the next level. I know how important continuing his baseball career beyond high school is to him. So, I’ve come full circle because it is my goal to help sell anyone that isn’t sure or isn’t convinced about who Cam is as a ballplayer, that they will be missing out on landing a great person who happens to be a really good baseball player.

So, before I get into things, let me clarify what Cam is not:

1. He’s not your prototypical college firstbasemen. He is not huge in stature and that proverbial big target. However, he has outstanding footwork and soft hands.
2. He’s not a burner on the basepaths. Cam is not going to blow anyone away with his speed, but he is one of the smartest baserunners I have ever been around.

If you’re still reading, then let me tell you what makes Cam special and why I’ll go to battle with him any day with him in my lineup against any team in the country:

1. From the time I started coaching him when he was eight years old, Cam has always had a baseball IQ that is above his peers. Other teams often look at him as a kid that will not steal a base or take the extra one when the ball is in play, but Cam always uses that to his advantage. Whether it is getting a perfectly timed jump to steal a base, going first to third when most teams expect him to pull up at second base, or picking up his third base coach at the perfect time between first and second, he is such an efficient base runner that improves any teams offensive efficiency. He even does a great job breaking towards second to get an opposing team’s catcher to raise up out of his crouch early and not frame a pitch. He has great feet, and is not a slow runner.
2. Cam has always had such a great perspective when it comes to the game of baseball and helping his teammates. He never gets down or pouts when he is struggling. When he makes an out he immediately comes back to the dugout and shares information with his teammates. It’s hard to tell if he’s 0-4 or 3-4 in a ballgame. He is one of the most genuine kids I’ve ever been around in terms of cheering for and celebrating his teammates success. He is beloved by ALL of his teammates because of how much he works to make them better and cheers for their success. If he is needed to catch, he’ll hop behind the plate. If he’s asked to close out a game, he’ll hop on the mound. If he gets DHed for, he’ll never complain. He simply shows up and does what is asked of him. Just check out his Twitter page! The kid likes and shares any success his teammates are having.
3. Cam is just a darn good hitter. Last summer he hit .382 with a .995 OPS and 8XBH in 76 ABs. In the summer of 2021 he hit .333 with a .921 OPS and 9 XBH in 81 ABS. He is able to use the entire field, but he has good pull side power. He is also a kid that does not strikeout! Last summer he struck out 5 times in 93 plate appearances. The previous summer he struck out 9 times in 107 plate appearances. He has not done any PBR showcases, but his exit velocity is in the low 90’s, so he does not get overwhelmed or overmatched by velocity on the mound either. https://twitter.com/PBROhioScout/status/1555660497042583552 https://twitter.com/canesGL2024/status/1539291443872911361 https://twitter.com/canesGL2024/status/1541505627582783492
4. Despite his smaller stature, Cam is a plus defender. He has excellent footwork around the bag, and really soft hands picking balls out of the dirt. He is also very adept at going back on balls into foul territory, and good range moving to his right off the bag. As a former catcher, he also has a very short quick release on pivots and relays.
5. Cam is showing his commitment to the game by dropping nearly 40 pounds since last summer. He is entering the 2022 baseball season in the best shape of his playing career. His older brother plays at Indiana Wesleyan, so he is accustomed to baseball style workouts to improve his strength, flexibility, and speed. He often gets overlooked because of his physique, but he continues to improve in those areas and will flourish with a college diet and strength coach.

I am putting this together because I believe Cam is absolutely flying under the radar as a recruit in the 2024 class. I am willing to stake the reputation of our organization behind this kid. I would ask you to speak to the director of our organization, Brian Blondell, about Cam. Another point of contact would be longtime assistant coach, Tim Trenerry (574-339-6105) whose son is commited to Purdue University.

This kid will always have a special place in my heart, and I will fight for him to play at the school of his choice at the next level. If you decide to bring him on board, I know you will look back on what a great decision and addition that was for your program. You are going to add a hitter and player that other teams in your conference will wonder where he came from in a couple of years.

Mike Gallo Head Coach Canes Great Lakes

574-850-8808 mike.gallo314@mikegallo314

@canesGL2024