Batter Up!
One throws left-handed; the other, right-handed. Both throw a baseball 90+ mph and grew up in Edmonds, attending Meadowdale High and Edmonds-Woodway High, respectively. Each played youth baseball locally at Pacific Little League, graduated from high school in 2011, and attended college in eastern Washington.
Their names are Sam Triece and Derek Callahan. Both are now playing professional baseball!
Left-handed pitcher Derek was chosen in the 16th round of the 2014 draft by the New York Yankees. Sam was selected in the 10th round of the 2015 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays after receiving his bachelor’s degree from WSU in Pullman. Derek attended Gonzaga University in Spokane and was drafted his junior year of college.
Both were quick to mention individuals who positively impacted their lives, not only as young players, but also as young people: their parents and coaches. Derek said, "I wasn't too excited about baseball until Tom Burley coached my team in little league. He was a good role model and encouraged me.” The other is little league coach Dan Lyons.
Sam also gives credit to a positive experience at Pacific Little League, and his parents. In addition, he said, "Greg Swenson, my pitching coach at WSU, was patient with me and helped develop my 'slider.'" This pitch accompanies his 92-95 mph fastball!
It hasn't all come easy to these local baseball players. Setbacks and injuries have built character and resolve. Their journey into professional baseball is a testament to perseverance. As Callahan said, "It sounds like a cliché, but nothing makes up for hard work.” Triece added, “I’ve had to overcome an injury and continue to develop my body." Sam is currently 6'3" and 205 pounds. Derek stands 6'4" and weighs 215 pounds and throws four pitches: a fastball, change-up, curve, and slider.
As Sam plays 'rookie ball' in Florida, Derek travels the Northeast playing 'A Ball', enduring bus rides up to eight hours long. Both love the game and hope to make baseball a long career. Their five-year goal is to be pitching in the major leagues.
What's their advice to young players? "Work hard in school and take care of your body. It's a game and someday our playing days will end. You have to set yourself up for ‘life’ as well as playing baseball." For now, they keep playing the game they learned to love as little leaguers in Edmonds.
There's a long history of local baseball in Edmonds and the surrounding area – Sam and Derek are now a big part of it!
