Nogales High School graduate Demetrio Crisantes, an Arizona recruit, was drafted in the seventh round of the MLB draft on July 18 by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he signed 10 days later with a reported $425,000 signing bonus.
Making his ascension remarkable is he had only two full seasons at the varsity level with the Apaches because of COVID-19 canceling most of his sophomore season in 2020.
His high draft status merits him the Jet Sports Training Male Athlete of the Month for July.
As a junior, he was named the Player of the Year in the 5A Conference Southern Region after batting .507 with 10 doubles and 27 runs.
During his recently-completed senior season, Crisantes batted .485 with a .618 on-base percentage. His 48 runs led the 5A Conference.
“This is great,” Crisantes told AllSportsTucson after the draft. “Wwe are all happy and especially since it’s an Arizona team. It’s a dream situation.”
Crisantes had until Aug. 1 to decide between Arizona and signing with the Diamondbacks.
Crisantes indicated his decIsion to sign was based on the belief the organization had in him and it was a great opportunity.
He helped lead the Apaches to a 31-4 record and a second-place finish in the state playoffs while batting .485 with 26 RBI, 15 doubles, 4 triples and 7 home runs.
Crisantes also played for the USA Baseball 15U National Team Development Program in 2019. He is also part of the long tradition of Nogales National Little League.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH HONORS
January 2022: Mountain View wrestler Austin Scott
February 2022: Sunnyside wrestler Sergio Vega
March 2022: Walden Grove baseball player Milo Rushford
April 2022: Cienega volleyball player Derrick Vargas
May 2022: CDO baseball player Austin Madsen
June 2022: CDO and Central Arizona College baseball standout Kiko Romero
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