AOTW: Living the Dream: Troy’s Berti climbing ranks of minor league baseball
AROUND TO THE NEXT LEVEL: Jon Berti was a standout baseball player at both Troy High and Bowling Green State University and now is a rookie in the Toronto Blue Jays' farm system with the Vancouver Canadians. Courtesy Photo | Bowling Green Athletics Department
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Jon Berti grew up in a baseball world, where his father and uncle both played at high levels out on the diamond.
He is now living that same dream.
At 21 years of age, Berti was drafted last month by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round (559th pick) and headed west to play for the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League in late June to begin his trek up through the minor leagues.
“It wasn’t that tough of a decision,” said Berti, who had only one year left of college eligibility. “I’ve always wanted to play professionally. Now, I have that chance.”
Berti, who hails from Troy, is used to starting over and making an impression. That’s what every athlete must do when making the jump to the next level on the Totem Pole. He is one of many rookies in the Northwest League and has fit in nicely playing second base.
In 31 games since joining the Canadians, he is third on the team with a .304 batting average and ranks high in multiple other categories. He also has a .400 on-base percentage, a .402 slugging percentage and has scored 18 runs with 31 hits, three triples, one home run, 14 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Berti also drew 13 walks and struck out 18 times in 102 at-bats through July 24.
In the field, he has a .802 fielding percentage with three errors. Berti was also involved in some mischief, being one of several players involved in a brawl which drew him a three-game suspension.
“It’s an adjustment,” said Berti. “The speed of the game is a little faster. I expected that to happen, like the difference from high school to college ball. The higher you go, the better the players and the speed of the game is faster. That’s part of the game.
“I feel I have done very well,” said Berti, who is spending most of his time at second base, away from his natural position of shortstop that he played at BGSU. “I am learning every day. You play almost every day (in the minors), so that’s a little different, too. Playing baseball every day is what I’ve wanted for a long time.”
Jon Berti, Troy High grad
Berti’s father, Tom, played minor league ball briefly in the Detroit Tigers organization in the late 1970s. His uncle, Danny Schmitz, also the head coach at BGSU, had a stint in the New York Yankees farm system at the same time, eventually climbing to the AAA ranks.
Berti was introduced to baseball at a very young age, like most Americans interested in sports, and grew up around baseball, hearing stories from his father and uncle and playing on various youth and travel teams and leagues. His last couple of years of high school, he also played travel ball for the Michigan Muddogs, which played in a variety of high-level showcase tournaments to prep him for college and beyond.
Berti was originally drafted out of high school in 2008 by the Oakland Athletics. He was chosen in the 36th round, but opted not to sign. Instead, he chose to play Division I baseball for Bowling Green State University.
“I didn’t expect it back then,” recalled Berti of being drafted out of high school. “This time I thought I’d have a chance.”
Frank Divito, the former Troy High head coach who coached Berti for four years in high school, is not surprised at all where Berti has carried his game to since graduating from high school.
“He’s one of the best players to ever play at Troy,” said DiVito. “There have been a couple of other great ones, like (former major league pitcher Steve McCatty), but Berti is the most talented one I’ve coached. I knew he would play at a high level. He was drafted out of high school and was very successful at Bowling Green. The kid is a talent. He is a complete package, not just a hitter.”
Berti was a four-year varsity veteran at Troy, earning numerous postseason accolades at the prep level, especially as a junior and senior. Berti was named to the All-State Dream Team, the Division 1 All-State First Team and to the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game his senior year, where he led his team to the Final Four.
While in high school, Berti set or ranked high in multiple school records categories. He was more than just a fine hitter, but showcasing tremendous speed on the base paths and a gold glove at shortstop. He set single-season school marks for batting average (.467), hits (66), runs scored (66), stolen bases (40) and triples (8).
That carried over to BGSU. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound infielder was captain and earned All-MAC honors as a junior in 2011.
A STEP AHEAD: Jon Berti had one of the highest on-base percentages ever at both Troy High School and at Bowling Green and hopes to continue that success in his first season of minor league baseball in Vancouver. Courtesy Photo | Bowling Green Athletics Department
This past spring, Berti fielded at a .923 clip with 66 putouts and 123 assists, while at the plate he led Bowling Green with a .356 batting average. Starting all 46 games for the Falcons, he also posted a .448 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage with 64 hits, eight doubles, six triples, two home runs, 31 walks, 18 stolen bases in 23 attempts, scored 34 runs and collected 26 RBI in 180 at-bats. He also struck out only 23 times and grounded into just one double play.
Much like at Troy, he ranks in the top 10 in several BGSU records categories, including batting average, at-bats, runs scored, total bases, triples and stolen bases.
Now, he hopes to carve his own niche in Northwest League, where he is tied for 12th in the league in batting and, much like his previous stops along the ladder, ranks high in various other areas.
“It’s been a lot of fun and a great learning experience,” offered Berti. “Playing on the west coast a little different, too, but I’ve got used to it.
“I’m just going out and playing hard, listening to the coaches and do what I need to do to get better,” added Berti.
And impress those in and around his dream.
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Category: BWW Athlete of the Week, Campus Clips, Colleges / Other
