Palmetto High pitcher Cetta signs to play for The Citadel

Palmetto High pitcher Michael Cetta has signed to play baseball for The Citadel.

Michael Cetta, a pitcher from Palmetto High School, has signed a national Letter of Intent with The Citadel.

The Palmetto star started his high school baseball career at Archbishop Carroll High School where he played for his dad, Tom Cetta, but then switched to Palmetto after his freshman year.

Cetta had a good senior season in a year Palmetto was not able to go into the playoffs.

“I had three wins. I had a lot of strikeouts,” he said.

Despite not being in the playoffs, Cetta was named to the state All Star Team that played May 27-29. Only four Miami players were named to the team.

“I’m really proud of Mike; he’s worked hard,” said Michael’s dad, Tom. “He made the FACA State All Star Team which is real prestigious.”

At that event, he could catch the eye of all the major league scouts and general managers that attended. But Cetta already had caught the interest of numerous college scouts. He was recruited by the University of Miami, St. Johns, Manhattan College, the University of North Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Appalachian State, Ohio State and several more.

“I’ve been waiting a long time,” Cetta said. “The thing I really liked [about The Citadel] was the military aspect. My grandpa was in the military. I’d like to join the military if it wasn’t for baseball.”

He also liked the camaraderie of the team.

“They do everything together,” he said. “They won their conference last year.”

Cetta said if he goes up there and does well, he’s expected to become a starter right away.

Another factor in his decision was the desire to go to college away from home.

“It would be nice to stay home, but I wanted the college experience and go away,” he said.

When he goes to The Citadel, Cetta plans to major in criminal justice.

“I want to go into government law enforcement — the FBI, DEA, CIA, any of those agencies.”

There is a possibility Cetta could be drafted to play professional baseball. If he does get drafted out of high school, he has the option of signing a contract and going to the minors immediately or declining a contract and going on to college.

“It depends on money,” he said. “I could make the decision up until the day before I walk on campus.”

If he opts for college, he will have to wait until the end of his junior year before being drafted again. But, unless the money is extraordinary, Cetta’s looking to go to college.

“A lot of people don’t make it. That’s why you have to get your degree first,” he said. “I want to get my degree.”

Tom Cetta said it takes more than playing high school baseball to get noticed by recruiters. Players are showcased playing travel ball and the recruiters listen to the travel team coaches.

He said coaches that were particularly helpful to Michael were Dave Westberry from Team Florida, Southridge coach Eddie Doskow, who also coaches at Team Florida, and Killian coach Angel Herrera.


Connect To Your Customers & Grow Your Business

Click Here

2 COMMENTS

  1. Congratulations. I've known this kid since he was in elementary school & middle school at Holy Rosary.

Comments are closed.