No. 1 2017 Caleb Sloan Makes Under Armour All American Game

By Neil H. Devlin
Senior Writer: Denver Metro Area

Apparently, Caleb Sloan can't sit still. He won't. He's working toward a baseball career and wants to make sure he's doing everything he can to some day play in The Show.

Some high-schoolers use the summer to relax and enjoy. Others use it to try and get better for future seasons.

Then there's Sloan, who will be a senior at Regis Jesuit in Aurora.

Try and keep up with the following -- so far this summer, Sloan, a right-handed pitcher, has competed in the Cherry Creek Classic before hitting the road for the PBR Sponsored JR. Sun Belt Classic tournament in Oklahoma; making a trip for a showcase in Fort Meyers, Fla.; traveling to Georgia for an Under Armour tryout.

Soon it will be off to Chicago's Wrigley Field to play in the All American Under Armour Game, plus he was to deal with an 17-and under-17 team, an Under Armour tourney in Georgia, then off to Long Beach for the Area Code games.

"It has been pretty much my whole summer," said Sloan, and he wasn't kidding. "But it has been fun. I knew it would be busy, but not this busy. I've enjoyed every minute of it.

"The competition has been awesome. I'm doing my best, trying to show everyone what I've got and trying to make a name for myself."

The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder didn't whine or blink last season, when he saw limited action for the Class 5A Raiders, who earned a home site in the district rounds and finished 16-5. How could he? Sloan was behind seniors Bo Weiss and Travis Marr, who each signed with the Atlantic Coast Conference, North Carolina and Clemson, respectively. As it was, Sloan was 2-0 with a couple of no-decisions in six appearances with a 3.73 earned-run average in 20.2 innings. He allowed 20 hits, walked 15 and struck out 24.

"There was only one ball to go around," said Sloan's father, Lance. "He recognized it and had respect for Bo and Travis."

Said Caleb: "Those were two all-stars in front of me and I was struggling to see the field a bit."

There should be less of a problem in 2017. Sloan will not only get a regular turn on the mound, but may see some time playing first base.

What he's doing must be working -- he has committed to TCU.

Not bad for someone who comes from a football family. Dad Lance was a defender at Tulsa. An uncle, Bo, was an offensive lineman at Texas Tech. A grandfather, Michael Moore, was a tight end at SMU. And a great uncle, Buddy Grantham, played quarterback at Rice.

Caleb had lettered in both football -- he was a regular at defensive end -- and baseball the past two seasons, but says he won't play football this fall, a decision he termed tough.

"It will be my first fall with no football," he said. "It's a difficult decision, especially with my family that primarily has played football. But I'm just trying to be the best baseball player I can be."

Said his father: "I'm very proud of him. He'll get his rest and he's working hard."

Sloan also said he was thrilled to be heading to the Under Armour All American Game and a chance to play at the Friendly Confines.

"It's going to be exciting," he said. "It was a dream of mine to play in it. When they said I was in it, I was ecstatic, just so happy about it."

Active in Special Olympics at school and instrumental in helping the Raiders' Unified teams, Sloan's father said his son is developing "a love and passion for baseball, and is moving in that direction."

Just as long as he keeps moving.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Caleb Sloan said.

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