When he was on the mound during his senior year at Norwin, Caden Sivrich was used to MLB scouts lining up to watch him. After his campaign with the Knights concluded, though, Sivrich wasn’t sure if he would hear his name called in July’s Major League Baseball Draft. As the draft unfolded, though, Sivrich was chosen in the 14th round – 411th overall – by the Athletics.

“It was definitely a very emotional day. It was like a surreal feeling getting that call,” he explained.

“After the high school season had ended, things died down a little bit,” he continued. “I wasn’t really expecting to get drafted, but obviously hoping.”

Although he had previously pledged to pitch for the University of Pittsburgh, Sivrich ultimately decided that the chance to go pro now was the right move, as he signed with the A’s last week.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and it might not come around again,” he said. “Usually, kids who get drafted out of high school and end up saying no and going to college, the chances of them getting drafted again when they’re draft eligible is a lot lower.

“Starting my career now, I have more time to develop,” he added.

Thus, Sivrich has reported to the Athletics’ complex in Mesa, Arizona, where he’ll remain through the end of September. Although Sivrich’s fastball has already been clocked at 95 miles per hour, one of his areas of focus will be honing his change-up.

In his final campaign with the Knights, the hurler went 3-3 with an ERA of 3.35 and 48 strikeouts in 31.1 innings, while also hitting .323 with four home runs and 20 RBIs.

Cracking the varsity roster as a freshman, Sivrich enjoyed plenty of individual and team success with Norwin, including reaching the WPIAL Class 6A Championship in 2025.

“I’ll never forget that – me being actually able to play in that game – even though we ended up losing,” he reflected.

While the Norwin community will continue to follow his journey across the country, Sivrich will always cherish his experience with the Knights.

“Being able to make lifelong friendships and having all those memories,” he said of what he’ll remember the most at Norwin.