Two of Telesis Preparatory Academy’s top athletes are in Scottsdale today, at the invitation of the Diamondbacks.
Jeremy Ernst and Nathaniel Merrill, both juniors, were invited to take part in the 2009 Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team tryout after one of the scouts was on hand to see them play basketball.
“The area scout said I looked like a pitcher,” Merrill said. And the invitation remained even after Merrill explained he never played baseball. “They told me that’s ok, I look teachable.”
Meanwhile Ernst has played organized baseball since he was 5-years-old, and is looking forward to showing what he can do.
“Yeah, I’m pretty nervous but this is a big opportunity,” Ernst said. “This is what I’ve been hoping for since I started playing ball.”
According to emails the team shared with the duo’s coach – Nathaniel’s brother Landon Merrill – the scout team’s job is to “provide area players the opportunity for exposure to professional and college baseball, competitive game experience as well as continued development during the fall.”
The 6 foot 1 inch Ernst played for Lake Havasu High School as a sophomore and had an ERA of 2.00 while fielding 1.000. He batted .137. The 6 foot 4 inch Merrill runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds.
“This is by invitation only and they look for the top players in the state,” Landon Merrill said. “And even though Nathaniel never played, baseball is in our family. Our grandfather played for the (Detroit) Tigers.”
Players will run a 60-yard dash, throw from their respective field positions, hit, play a simulated game and pitchers will throw a strictly fastball bullpen to a maximum of 20 pitches.
“No matter what, this is at least a chance to be seen,” Ernst said. “And who knows? Maybe we’ll get an offer from a college next year.”
You may contact the reporter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Jeremy Ernst and Nathaniel Merrill, both juniors, were invited to take part in the 2009 Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team tryout after one of the scouts was on hand to see them play basketball.
“The area scout said I looked like a pitcher,” Merrill said. And the invitation remained even after Merrill explained he never played baseball. “They told me that’s ok, I look teachable.”
Meanwhile Ernst has played organized baseball since he was 5-years-old, and is looking forward to showing what he can do.
“Yeah, I’m pretty nervous but this is a big opportunity,” Ernst said. “This is what I’ve been hoping for since I started playing ball.”
According to emails the team shared with the duo’s coach – Nathaniel’s brother Landon Merrill – the scout team’s job is to “provide area players the opportunity for exposure to professional and college baseball, competitive game experience as well as continued development during the fall.”
The 6 foot 1 inch Ernst played for Lake Havasu High School as a sophomore and had an ERA of 2.00 while fielding 1.000. He batted .137. The 6 foot 4 inch Merrill runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds.
“This is by invitation only and they look for the top players in the state,” Landon Merrill said. “And even though Nathaniel never played, baseball is in our family. Our grandfather played for the (Detroit) Tigers.”
Players will run a 60-yard dash, throw from their respective field positions, hit, play a simulated game and pitchers will throw a strictly fastball bullpen to a maximum of 20 pitches.
“No matter what, this is at least a chance to be seen,” Ernst said. “And who knows? Maybe we’ll get an offer from a college next year.”
You may contact the reporter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
 |
| Jillian Danielson Photo/Special to News-Herald. Telesis Preparatory Academy’s Jeremy Ernst and Nathaniel Merrill, standout athletes in football and basketball, will get a chance to show what they can do on the baseball diamond. The pair has been invited to take part in the 2009 Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team tryout today in Scottsdale. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|