BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - By Tate Atkin, Headliner Sports Editor, July 21, 2022
With the 404th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, the Tampa Bay Rays selected Nate Dahle, a pitcher at Brigham Young University in Provo and former baseball phenom at Bear River High School. The pick came in the 13th round of Tuesday's draft held July 19.
Dahle's playing career started at Bear River High where he played baseball, football and basketball. Growing up in the valley he always dreamed of playing for the Bears and was fortunate enough to play on some great teams during his high school career at Bear River.
After graduating from Bear River High in 2016, Dahle served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico City, Mexico. After his two-year mission he played baseball at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho. After two years with the Golden Eagles and a successful Tommy John surgery to repair his torn elbow, an injury he received while pitching for Southern Idaho, Dahle transferred to BYU.
As a starting pitcher at BYU, Dahle struggled with the pace of being a starter. Midway through the season he met with the coaches at BYU, and they decided he would best serve the team as a relief pitcher. The move proved to be a smart one as he found his groove in the bullpen and became a weapon for the Cougars in his only season at BYU.
His newfound niche as a relief pitcher got the attention of major league ball clubs and moved his name higher up the draft boards. On Tuesday, the third day of the MLB draft, Dahle got a call from the Tampa Bay Rays informing him they wanted to draft him. After a brief discussion with the team and some details arranged, he sat back and watched on television as the selection was made, making him a professional baseball player.
"It was definitely a roller coaster of emotions Monday and Tuesday. My dream has always been to play professional baseball. That was the goal and now it's real. I have the chance to go out there and play and perform at a high level," Dahle said.
With the draft taking place mid-season, there isn't much time to waste. Dahle will join the team in Florida on Sunday, July 24, where he will fill out paperwork before meeting up with the team at their spring training facility.
Dahle is third baseball player from Bear River High to be drafted along with Don Hawes, Brent Roberts, Grant Cullimore (1948-49) and Dennis Udy (1966-67).
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