Turlock High's Dallin Tilby was recently recognized as one of the top prospects in the state after being chosen to participate in the California Baseball Coaches Association's 48th annual North/South Showcase.
The event will take place at Santa Clara University and will be a three-series event from Saturday to Sunday. Tilby was selected to participate in the state showcase after trying out at St. Mary’s in Stockton on Thursday.
“I just remember being really nervous,” said Tilby. “I believe there were about 130 to 150 kids there. I was just curious how I did with the other kids since we sat around for a while trying to get all the kids their reps, and there were about 50 pitchers.”
After a lunch break, the coaches decided who they would select for the scrimmage which would take place soon after. Numbers were called and two teams of 28 kids were made. Only 20 pitchers were selected, 10 on each team—Tilby was one of them.
Confident, yet nerves rattling through him, Tilby went on a tear with his pitching, striking out three while getting three groundouts and capturing the eyes of about 40 scouts who were present.
The 5-foot-11, star kicker for the Bulldogs football team, said it was an awesome experience, but it got even better just moments after.
“We had a break in between as the coaches decided to choose who they would keep,” said Tilby. “They didn’t call us by our name at all, they read out the numbers they would keep and chose all the players and I was actually the last player to be called, so it was kind of like... I made it, wow.
“I was very nervous, kind of went into the whole thing just so happy to get that exposure and to know I made it, it’s crazy,” said Tilby. “Out of the 20 pitchers from the scrimmage, they kept eight… it was unbelievable.”
Tilby is one of the eight pitchers, and one of 20 total players on the team, who will be on the North roster for the CBCA North/South Showcase.
He was also the only player chosen from the Stanislaus District.
Tilby is a unique talent, starring in three different sports — baseball, basketball and football.
“I just love sports... I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have sports and my competitive drive makes me want to try my hardest,” said Tilby. “Just going into it is easy but figuring out what sport is hardest, most days I have football, baseball and basketball going on the same day.”
Tilby started off the 2017 league season with a huge performance, tossing a no-hitter against CCC foe Merced High, allowing no runs, walking two and striking out a pair back on March 31.
Tilby was a key factor in the Bulldogs’ success this past season as he went 6-1 during the year and had an ERA of just 1.09 and tossed the second most innings for the 'Dogs with 51 and 1/3, allowing just eight runs and striking out 37. Turlock was co-CCC champions with a 10-2 record.
“Coming into the season I just wanted to do the best I could, I was going to try and help my defense, but I think the biggest thing right now is to stay focused and not stay complacent,” said Tilby.
In the showcase, he will join a herd of talent from schools such as Clovis, Elk Grove, De La Salle and as far west as Pacific Grove and powerhouse Palma High, along with as far north as Yuba City.
The North and South will play from Santa Clara University in a nine-inning game at 1 p.m., then a seven-inning game at 4 p.m. on Saturday. This will be followed by a nine-inning game at 10 a.m. Sunday.
