Calicdan eager to show he can make an impact with club

There may not be a more motivated player on the Edmonton Prospects this season than Daylen Calicdan and he has yet to play a game.

Calicdan learned a lot off the baseball field the past two years — most importantly, the value of hard work.

While many of his teammates at the University of Hawaii can solely focus on baseball and school, Calicdan’s had to juggle his studies, baseball and a job to help keep his baseball dream alive.

“I’m not on scholarship, so I’ve worked hard to try and get academic scholarships, and I also work a part-time job to help keep money coming in,” said Calicdan.

He made the Rainbow Warriors as a walk-on. He redshirted in his first year in 2017 and this season was primarily a bench player, getting in just 13 games with 19 at-bats.

When the infielder isn’t fielding ground balls for the Rainbow Warriors or focusing on his studies, he works the concession stand on campus for the university’s volleyball, basketball and softball games.

It’s not how he necessarily how Calicdan imagined the baseball dream to go to this point, but he’ll take it.

He’s getting a chance to play university baseball in his home state and receive an education.

“It’s been tough. I average about $100 a week, and that gives me enough for food money. I’ve learned hard work through my parents. For them, working was a year-round thing, and they’re doing everything they can to help me achieve my dreams,” said Calicdan.

“When I was younger, I wanted to leave the island to pursue my baseball dreams, but being able to play baseball at home has been so special.”

If Calicdan chose to stay home this summer on the Big Island, in his hometown of Hilo, Hawaii, who could blame him? But the 20-year-old is spending his summer in Edmonton with one goal in mind; to prove that he can be a player that can help the Prospects win a Western Major Baseball League championship and also show he can be an impact player at the NCAA Division 1 level.

The Prospects open their 2018 WMBL season on Thursday against the Lethbridge Bulls (7:05 p.m.) at RE/MAX Field.