Conte has two-way potential in college

Nicholas Conte SS / RHP / North Providence, RI / 2020

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The possibility of being a two-way player in college is an opportunity that Nicholas Conte looks at with excitement.

The North Providence High School junior has the numbers to back it up, with an infield velo of 94 while touching 90 on the mound.

“The coaches I’ve been talking to are saying I can be a two-way guy,” noted Conte, the second-ranked unsigned shortstop in the 2020 class in New England. “They say I have the tools to do it. In the perfect world, that’s what I want to do.”

Rhode Island, Northeastern, Brown and Harvard are “local” Division I colleges that Conte is looking to make plans to visit with William & Mary and Tulane others in the mix.

“Everything took off for me this past summer,” the 5-10 160-pounder said in reference to the Future Games, WWBA in Georgia and fall ball in Fort Myers. “Most of it kicked off with the Future Games. Opportunities were there with schools in the south but it didn’t stay that way long.

“It was exciting when the first school that started communicating with me was Virginia. But it didn’t work out,” continued Conte, who also talked with Wake Forest after the Future Games. “It was exciting to get interest from such good D-I schools.”

The two-way prospect gave colleges a lot to like.

“They were impressed with my arm,” the 17th-rated New England junior said. “They all say I have a plus arm. In the infield, they like how athletic I am in the field. At the plate, the like how I have quick hands and more power than you’d think.”

Conte feels there is plenty he can provide a school at the next level.