If you grow up with an NBA coach as your dad, interacting with professional athletes isn’t exactly a new experience by the time you graduate high school.
But even Philadelphia Phillies‘ 2024 first-round pick Dante Nori, son of Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, had to admit that a text from Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto “stood out” among the post-draft congratulations he received.
Born in Canada while his dad worked on the Toronto Raptors’ staff, Dante said he and Votto go back to the former NL MVP’s days with the Cincinnati Reds.
“He just texted me the other day to congratulate me through my dad. We’ve known him since I was five years old… that was a cool one,” Nori said on a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday morning.
“We go back (because) my dad was with the Raptors a long time ago, and (Votto) wanted to use the Toronto facility… and they’ve been friends ever since.”
While he was born in Toronto, Nori spent most of his childhood growing up in Michigan, turning into one of the state’s top high school baseball players. In 2024, he led Northville High School to the state title, batting .477 with 23 extra-base hits and 20 stolen bases, according to Prep Baseball Report.
It’s Nori’s speed, defensive ability and approach at the plate that had the Phillies take him with the 27th overall pick in this year’s draft.
Given a 55 hit grade, 65 run grade, 55 arm grade and 60 fielding grade on the 20-80 scale by MLB Pipeline, Nori profiles as an impact player on both sides of the field, drawing comparisons to current Arizona Diamondbacks centre fielder Alek Thomas.
The 19-year-old officially signed with Philadelphia on Tuesday, signing for $2.5 million and forgoing his commitment to Mississippi State.
“We’re going to get started as soon as possible. This is something I’ve dreamed of, and to be with the Phillies is a dream come true,” Nori said when asked about starting his pro career. “Going in, (I) wanted to be with Philadelphia, and that’s exactly what happened. So I’m very excited to get started and get rolling.”
Brian Barber, the Phillies’ assistant general manager of amateur scouting, said Wednesday that the goal is to get Nori back on the field as soon as possible, adding that they are going to be smart about when they integrate him into their minor-league system.
Votto isn’t the only player with ties to Nori that the five-foot-10 outfielder heard from following his selection.
Nori’s grandfather, Fred, was the assistant coach at Indiana who recruited current Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber to join the Hoosiers. So, Schwarber being one of the first people to welcome Nori to the organization was a full-circle moment for the two.
“This past week has kind of been coming down from cloud nine,” Nori said about his experience since hearing his name called at the draft, going through the signing process and meeting with the Phillies front office.
As for his goals now that he’s in the affiliated ranks, the left-handed hitting and throwing Nori has one thing in mind: “Get to the big leagues as fast as possible.”
“I’m here to play, and hey, I’m here to give it all I got and help the Phillies as fast as possible,” he said.
