BURLINGTON, Ontario - Owen Caissie had never been to San Diego.

That has changed after the recent Notre Dame Catholic graduate was taken in the Major League baseball Draft by the Padres.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been on the west coast,” related Caissie, who flew to San Diego where he signed a pro contract for reportedly $1,200,004. “I was surprised with the weather. It was 76-78 every day. It was very beautiful.”

Now back home, the 18-year-old - as of his birthday on July 8 - has returned to earth after all the excitement that goes along with getting selected in the draft.

“I had no idea,” Caissie said about where he would be selected on June 10. “They’re kind of sneaky about it. It’s all up in the air.”

What the left-handed hitting outfielder did believe was that being chosen was inevitable.

“I expected to go in the 40-60 range,” pointed out Caissie, who was taken in the second round with the 45th pick of the draft. “It was cool to see my name called and it was fortunate to be by the Padres. I think I worked hard enough to get where I am.”

Fittingly, San Diego initiated talks with Caissie prior to the five-round draft.

“I had zoom calls with a lot of teams and phone calls,” Caissie noted. “Most of the teams called me, but the Padres were the first zoom call I had.”

It was a year-and-a-half ago that Caissie began thinking professional ball was a possibility.

“It was at the T12 in Canada when I began to realize I could play pro baseball,” Caissie said. “After that I thought about it a lot.”

Jesse Levine had the top-rated player in Canada's 2020 class in high regard after seeing him during spring training last year.

“I remember standing behind the plate during BP, and when it was his turn he was putting balls out with ease,” the Prep Baseball Report Ontario intern said. “Thinking back to the previous fall, and seeing him in Florida, the improvements he made during that time were astronomical and spoke to the work ethic, and it was the same thing this year.”

Celebration came after the selection.

“I was only with family because of COVID,” Caissie said about draft day. “There were lots of hugs when it happened. I knew I’d be drafted but I wanted it to happen so bad, it was relieving to hear my name.”

Levine admitted it was a thrill to see Caissie selected in the draft.

“It was exciting to see him get drafted, having been around him and getting to know the type of person he is,” Levine said. “He’ll ask for video after games to evaluate himself, and he understands the swing. Combining that with a deep desire to improve, he’s a guy who will maximize his ability.”

It all worked out as hoped, which also meant playing for Michigan would not be in his future.

“I got what I wanted and where I wanted to go so turning pro was 100 percent,” Caissie stated. “It’s the best opportunity for me.

“Before and after the draft Michigan was very excited for me,” Caissie added about the Big 10 school where he committed in the fall of 2019. “I thanked them for accepting me and for all that they did and they wished me good luck. I’m always going to be part of the Big Blue family.”

But for now, the 6-4 190-pounder is a member of the brown-and-yellow colors of the Padres’ organization.

“My plans are to be the best I possibly can be,” Caissie noted. “I don’t want to stay stagnant, I want to always keep improving.”

The initial area of focus is with defense.

“My first read off the bat, I’m working on that now as much as possible,” Caissie said as to where improvement starts.

Levine sees a large amount of strong points in his game.

“Being a left-handed hitter with advanced plate discipline, power projection and a foundation to hit in place, he has the makings to be a solid offensive producer,” Levine noted. “The arm works in the outfield and with speed and his work ethic, with continued reps, he’ll be a very capable defender.”

What is not known about Caissie is where he will be this summer with the status of pro ball due to the coronavirus.

“I’m in the blue right now with minor leagues cancelled,” Caissie related. “The Padres gave me workout instructions and I’m doing regular practices with a small number of people.”

Cooper Davis (a Blue Jays 2017 draft pick currently with Vanderbilt) and Jordan Nwogu (88th pick of the 2020 draft by the Cubs) are workout partners with Caissie, who feels Canadians like them are making a point in regards to the talent level of baseball in Canada.

“Canadians can play and people are starting to realize that,” Caissie said. “Canadians can play with the best of them. I 100 percent believe that.”