Nigeria may not be known for producing too many stars of Major League Baseball over the years. The African country’s impact on the sport’s most famous division has been one of quality over quantity. But one young star is aiming to change all that, giving Nigerian baseball fans a reason to cheer.
Demi Orimoloye isn’t yet a household name in the world of sports, but he’s working hard to fix that. The 24-year-old from Lagos is on the books at respected MLB team Toronto Blue Jays, where the coaching staff have him picked for a big future in the game.
Demi comes through the ranks
Demi moved to Canada with his family when he was just 18 months old and lived in Orleans, Ontario. He received a Canadian education and excelled in many sports during his younger years. Demi showed a natural athleticism and fitness that meant he could turn his hand to most sports but seemed to enjoy volleyball and basketball. At one time in his life, he dreamed of taking to the court as a star of the NBA, while some tried to encourage him onto the NFL team due to his size and build. But baseball was his passion.
He came through the ranks at high school in Ottawa and it didn’t take long for his natural talents to be noticed. He quickly became a star of high school baseball, and it was no surprise to anyone who had watched Orimoloye play when he was touted as one of the standout prospects in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.
The big names were beginning to show an interest, and Demi was selected in the fourth round by the Milwaukee Brewers. He was employed by the Brewers until the 2018 trade when switching to his current team. And that’s where things really took off for the son of two former Nigerian government officials.
Related: A Great Shot At Making Baseball Popular In Nigeria
Star must prove his character
Despite his hard work and obvious talents, Demi is yet to break onto the scene at Blue Jays and remains a player considered one for the future. He has been farmed out to gain vital experience and confidence before coaches at Toronto are willing to give the player the chance he has been waiting for.
At this stage of his career, club bosses want to know just how much Demi wants to be a star. They want to see his character and determination. He has the skills to compete for places at the Blue Jays but is yet to prove his character. The physical strength is there; it’s the mental strength that separates a good player from a star of Major League Baseball.
How does Demi prove himself ready for a call up to the Blue Jays next season? By keeping his head down, working hard and making positive headlines. He has been doing just that at his time with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. The player’s long-term future doesn’t lie in Manchester playing for the Minor League Baseball Fisher Cats, but it’s a crucial stage of his development.
Eye-catching performance despite defeat
Followers of Demi’s career watched him have an impact in New Hampshire’s recent match against the Portland Sea Dogs. His team were to lose that match, beaten by a score of 12-6 despite a fiercely competitive contest, but the Nigerian came out of the play with his reputation intact and career on track.
His performance that day showed that, even in defeat, Demi could hold his concentration and keep fighting for the team. Demi helped get the Fisher Cats off to a solid start against the Sea Dogs, scoring RBI doubles with teammate Jordan Groshans. Demi stuck to his task in the match and did what he could to help keep his team on course for victory but, at the end of the play, it just wasn’t their day.
Orimoloye will not dust himself down and come again. Winning games is important to his team, but strong performances at this stage are worth more in the career of Demi. If he is to make it onto the Blue Jays bench anytime soon, he must hold his form.
