Tampa Bay Rays sign Aruban talent

Another MLB club has discovered the pool of talent of the Dutch Caribbean islands. This time the Tampa Bay Rays have signed catcher Nigel Calmes to a six-year contract. 

Calmes did a tryout during a so-called High Player Profile tryout in front of 30 MLB teams.

In the recent past, the Baltimore Orioles followed Nigel as well during several tryouts but apparently, they were not convinced about his skills.

Nigel used to play Little League for the Aruba Giants organization. During the years he played on Aruba, he was part of several representing teams. At the age of fifteen, Nigel left for Curaçao with the sole purpose to become a professional ballplayer. On the island of Curaçao, he prepared himself for two years to become a pro. According to my source Baseball Aruba, he did not succeed back then. But eventually, at the age of eighteen, he had another chance when the High Profile Player tour showcase from Venezuela landed on Aruba in November. He grabbed this (last) straw and left a very good impression. Even this good, the Rays signed him. His arm caught the eye of several scouts.

It is not known yet where Nigel will start his professional career, but it is very likely he will start in the DSL or GCL.

A big thank you goes out to Baseball Aruba for additional information and Ton Hofstede for the translation of an article in Papiamento.