Scalzo Finds A Future Home At The University Of Utah

Robert Scalzo RHP / Okotoks Dawgs Academy , AB / 2024

BRENTWOOD BAY, B.C. - Robert Scalzo will be returning to where he was born.

A native of Utah, Scalzo moved away soon after birth but the recently-turned 17-year-old is heading “home” after a commitment to the University of Utah.

“I like Utah,” Scalzo noted. “I was born there but moved to Canada a few days after.”

His first return to the state took place in October while playing for the Okotoks Dawgs in Toronto.

“Our Dawgs team played them and I pitched against them,” the fifth-rated 2025 right-handed pitcher in Alberta related. “They offered and I went on a visit. I accepted on the visit, a week after the offer. I liked everything about the school, the coaches and the area around there.”

Two pitches stood out to Utah about Scalzo.

“They liked my changeup and my fastball,” pointed out Scalzo, who is now taking online classes at the Okotoks Dawgs Academy. “Those were the two things they liked.”

The thought of playing baseball in college became a strong possibility only recently.

“For a long time I’ve wanted to play college baseball, for four or five years,” Scalzo said. “It became realistic in the last two years. I improved quite a bit with everything coming together. My velo went up quite a bit and I started to fill up the zone more. It all fell into place.”

Weight lifting and a throwing program also proved beneficial for the 6-1 213-pounder, who is thrilled to be heading to the Pac-12 Conference university.

“I have a friend who’s committed to Utah, so I’m excited about that,” Scalzo noted. “It just stood out above the others.”

Mitch Davidoff, Tyler Hollick, Jeff Duda and Patrick Jones, all coaches with the Okotoks Dawgs, are credited by Scalzo with being influential in his development and recruitment, along with Brad Weinmeyer.

“My recruiting process started a year ago,” the 15th-ranked 2025 in Alberta reflected. “Twitter was big with that. Also the Futures (Future Games), I got a lot of schools to look at me from that.”

Scalzo is confident he can make a huge impact once arriving at the college in Salt Lake City.

“I’m a hard worker,” Scalzo said. “I always want to win and I’m a good team guy.”

The commitment brought a comforting feeling to the hard-throwing right-hander, who had interest from schools like Kent State, Tennessee, San Francisco and East Tennessee State after throwing for Team Canada at the Future Games in late July.

“It was really exciting,” Scalzo explained about making his college decision official. “My family was really excited for me.”

The distance to college, a three-hour plane ride, is not a concern according to Scalzo.

“They’re fine with me going anywhere as long as I like the place,” Scalzo said of his family.

Business or marketing are majors being considered by Scalzo, who has all As and Bs in high school.

“I’m looking forward to Utah,” Scalzo concluded. “All the cool facilities and the cool fields I get to play at will be great. Plus the good coaching.

“I’m kind of on my own now, I’m far from family, but just living on my own in Utah is also going to be a great experience.”