The Nescopeck, Pennsylvania native recently signed as free agent with the Boston Red Sox organization.
“This has always been a dream of mine, and just excited for it to get started,” DiValerio said.
In four starts in 2020 for the Hawks — before the season was cancelled due to the pandemic — DiValerio went 3-1 with a 2.38 ERA.
“I was in disbelief for probably for three, four days after everything kind of hit,” he said of the season coming to a premature close. “I figured out right away, OK, I needed to keep throwing, I needed to keep training.”
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In a normal year, DiValerio was likely to get drafted, and probably pretty high. But this year, the Major League Baseball Draft was shortened from 40 rounds to five. The time leading up to the draft was also very different.
“There were restrictions on doing individual workouts and even sending out video because they didn’t want people in close contact with each other,” he said. “It was just kind of relying on my college career and summer ball to get my name out there, and then people reached out to me.”
DiValerio said he brings a lot to the mound.
“I’m definitely a very aggressive pitcher, throw a lot of fastballs. But I also have what I like to consider a very good splitter and change-up mix, with a curveball that is still in the process of developing a little bit more,” he explained.
Of course, MLB is still suspended, so DiValerio is taking things one day at a time as he waits to find out when he gets to start his career in the Boston organization.
“Right now, their main focus is getting MLB back,” he said. “I’m just staying at home now, just staying in shape. They’re really hoping that they’re going to be able to bring minor leaguers to either spring training or their affiliates. But nobody really knows, especially with the state of the world. It’s just crazy.”