Ochoa Excited To Be Part Of The Nationals

BURLINGTON, Ontario - When Nate Ochoa was selected in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball Draft there was little doubt what the third-rated 2022 in Ontario was going to do.

“The biggest thing I went into the draft knowing was that I was mentally prepared for professional baseball,” the Notre Dame Catholic graduate related. “I knew I was going to go in the draft at some point, it was just a matter of where and would it be enough to turn down Alabama and sign.”

Ochoa summed it up in one sentence.

“I just want to play baseball,” the 18-year-old said.

The 71st choice in this year’s draft will get that opportunity in the Washington Nationals’ organization after signing with the team this past weekend.

“I was in DC on Friday getting a physical and officially signing,” Ochoa said.

The 172nd-ranked 2022 in North America is now in West Palm Beach with his first practice with the Nationals today.

“I’m just getting my feet wet and meeting the rest of the guys,” Ochoa noted.

It has been a whirlwind week since Ochoa was taken on day two of the three-day draft.

“I was at home with my family and a couple friends waiting for whatever happened to happen,” Ochoa reflected. “When my name finally showed up on the screen everyone was excited. It was a very emotional moment.”

Getting taken by the Nationals was not in the thought process until just recently.

“I talked to plenty of teams prior to the draft but the Nationals weren’t in the conversation until about a month before the draft when they said they were interested,” Ochoa said.

Once Ochoa was drafted, the decision whether to go to college to play in the Southeast Conference or turn pro did not take much time.

“Going to Alabama would have been amazing and I thank them a lot for everything, but at this time in my life my first priority is to get to pro ball,” Ochoa explained. “I talked it over with my mom and dad and also with my advisor, but the two biggest playing a part in my decision were my mom and dad.”

There were two calls with Alabama once taken in the draft.

“An assistant coach called me the night I got drafted,” Ochoa related. “They were super happy for me and said they would follow my career. The day after I called the head coach and he was excited for me.

“I thought calling them would be a lot harder, but they were super happy for me. They weren’t frustrated at all that I was going to sign, they were happy for me.”

The 38th-rated 2022 shortstop in North America is uncertain what the future holds as far as a playing position.

“They haven’t told me anything yet,” Ochoa said. “I think they're going to try me at a couple different spots and see where they like me. I’m a big kid and if I put some weight on me I don’t think I’ll be at shortstop in the end. Playing the odds, I’ll be a corner infielder or corner outfielder.”

The 6-4 215-pounder looks forward to playing rookie ball whatever the position may be.

“They play five or six days a week, but I’m not sure whether I’ll start playing games right away,” Ochoa said. “I just want to learn as much as I can and use all that knowledge to my advantage, work hard and see how far and how quickly I can move up.”

Ochoa acknowledges there will be a lot to learn at this point.

“I want to understand my swing more and work on developing it,” Ochoa said. “If I can figure that out and use what I learn to my full potential it should all be good.”