Calhoun likely staying put

Kole Calhoun strolled into Carson Park on Tuesday night with a big grin on his face.
Last season’s Northwoods League co-MVP looked right at home. He was back in familiar surroundings and flanked by a quartet of friends — last summer’s running buddies, David Cales and Dominic Piazza, and Yavapai College (Ariz.) teammates Braden Degamo and Erik Knutson.
It’s safe to say the Eau Claire Express’ standout right fielder/closer is happy to be back in Eau Claire.
“I’m so happy,” Calhoun said. “Me, Dom and Dave have been driving around all day, just checking out stuff. I’ve got some friends from Yavapai up here now, so it’s fun to show them around and tell them it’s going to be a great summer.”
Early indications are Calhoun will be in Eau Claire for the duration, despite a monster sophomore season and the looming Major League Baseball first-year player draft.
While Calhoun said he’s had contact with the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals, he’s not expecting his professional career to begin this summer.
Outside of Calhoun, the Express’ biggest draft concerns likely are right-handed pitchers Shane Dyer (South Mountain Community College), Brad McAtee (UC-Davis), Anthony Bass (Wayne State) and Chris Odegaard (Mankato State).
Dyer will start Thursday’s season opener and Odegaard will start Friday.
Bass won’t be reporting to the team until after the draft, held June 5 and 6.
Calhoun will head to Arizona State this fall and his intent is to play a year at the Division I level before going pro. So barring an overwhelming signing bonus, he’ll be in an Express jersey all summer.
“They all know I’m going to ASU and are just kind of laying off me I guess,” Calhoun said. “It would take a hefty amount because I want to play there. It would take a lot. I’m more looking to next year — kind of prove myself a little more and get some more education too.”
Calhoun’s stature — he’s a stocky 5-foot-10 — may scare some scouts off, but the left-handed batting and throwing fan favorite can put up statistics with the best of them.
He tore the cover off the ball — while using a wood bat — this spring at junior-college Yavapai. Calhoun hit .402 with 17 home runs, 20 doubles, four triples and 56 RBIs. He had a .527 on-base percentage and an equally jaw-dropping .820 slugging percentage. Oh, and he stole 18 bases in 21 attempts.
The Roughriders finished their season roughly two weeks ago, so he should still be relatively in rhythm.
“I’m pretty locked in right now,” Calhoun said. “I’m excited to be back — to see Dave again. Me, Dom and Dave are back together. It’s just going to be a fun year.”
Calhoun said he didn’t draw much interest from the Cape Cod League — generally regarded as the nation’s premier summer showcase — but that really wasn’t of much concern to him.
“I didn’t want to go there anyway,” Calhoun said. “You only play two or three times a week. Here you get to play every day. Plus I had a great experience last summer and wanted to do it again.”

- Joe Ziemer