The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Halpin living his dream on ballfield
Captains center fielder Petey Halpin is a take-itin-stride kind of guy.
That low-key approach is a big plus for the 19-yearold California native as he moves through the early stages of a promising career in professional baseball.
Selected by the Guardians in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of St. Francis High School in Mountain View, Calif., Halpin earned a spot on HighA Lake County’s roster this season after a solid professional debut last season at Single-A Lynchburg.
In three games this season with the Captains, the 6-foot, 180-pound Halpin is batting .250 with two runs. Hitting from the left side and throwing from the
right, he appears to be the everyday center and top-ofthe-order batter.
That’s heady stuff for a young man six weeks shy of his 20th birthday.
“Whether it’s here, in Lynchburg or on the back fields at spring training in Arizona. I want to show my best self as a player every time I step on the field,” Halpin said.
Halpin was born and raised in northern California. One of three children of Peter and Julie Halpin, he goes by Petey because the family decided years ago to steer clear of “junior” references.
Introduced to baseball at age 4, Halpin took to the game immediately and never has veered off course.
“Ever since I was a kid, I imagined a future with me playing baseball,” Halpin said. “This is what I want to do with my life.”
Moving to Southern California with his family while in high school, Halpin emerged as one of the best prep players in the country.
After appearing in Major League Baseball’s 2019 High School All-Star Game at Progressive Field and other national showcase events, he was offered a full baseball scholarship at the
University of Texas.
Two months later, he was drafted by the Guardians and offered a $1.525 million signing bonus.
“It was a tough decision,” Halpin said of having to choose between one of college baseball’s premier programs and starting the climb in professional baseball.
“UT is a phenomenal school and (baseball) program. The Guardians also have an amazing program,” he added. “Ultimately, I was happy with the decision,. There is no looking back.”
Scouting reports have Halpin as an elite outfielder with a powerful arm who also has above-average speed and a quick, potentially powerful bat. He is ranked by mlb.com as the 17th-best prospect in the Guardians’ minor-league system.