Nate Karaffa is about to embark on a life that most only dream about.

The Toronto High School and Ohio State University graduate can hardly believe it himself when he takes a step back and thinks that in less than a month he’ll be taking part in his first professional baseball spring training camp.

“This whole process has been unreal,” Karaffa said. “I’ve really not had a lot of time to simply slow down and really think about it, but I consider myself extremely blessed to be in this position. Each opportunity you have to keep chasing your dream is a reason to be excited.”

Karaffa was drafted in the 20th round of last July’s MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies after a strong career with the Buckeyes.

“To be hand-picked and considered one of the very best in your sport is incredible to even think about,” Karaffa said during a recent phone interview. “Now, though, it’s a matter of putting in the work to make sure you’re on top of it, so you don’t get passed up.”

Karaffa has been in Clearwater — at the Phillies spring training home — basically since early this month, continuing his rehab from an elbow injury that didn’t require surgery.

“I’ve just been building up getting ready for spring training,” Karaffa said. “I was injured when I got drafted, but I am finally able to really start throwing and we will be ready in a couple of weeks when spring training starts.”

The Phillies drafted Karaffa as a pitcher, which was surprising because Karaffa became a pitcher at Ohio State because the Buckeyes needed arms to eat innings.

“Going to Ohio State, I had no plan to pitch,” Karaffa said. “It just happened and here we are.”

Karaffa finished his Buckeyes career with only 28.1 innings worked. He posted a 3-1 career record with an earned run average north of six. But, he did fan 36 hitters.

Karaffa had met with some MLB clubs in the fall of 2021 and continued conversations going into the summer, but opted not to play summer ball because of the injury. He was able to go through some workouts.

Still, though, he didn’t know what was in store until that summer afternoon when he was actually driving back to Toronto from Columbus and saw an alert on his phone.

“I hadn’t even gotten a call from the Phillies or anyone when I saw it on my phone that I had been (drafted),” Karaffa recalled. “I honestly didn’t know how to react.”

With that part out of the way, Karaffa and his family still had some major decisions to make. Picked 602nd overall, Karaffa debated going back to Ohio State for an additional season. However, in the end, the opportunity to give pro ball a try was simply too much to pass up.

“It’s not that I didn’t think I was ready for pro ball, but I had some doubts on signing,” Karaffa said. “I spent about a week at home (in Toronto) before the deal got done. I feel really good about the decision.”

Karaffa, who went to Ohio State following a brilliant prep career with the Red Knights that culminated with a state championship in 2019, thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Buckeyes.

“I’ve got so many memories and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have played at Ohio State,” Karaffa said. “I was able to build so many relationships and I still talk to those guys all the time. It was simply a dream come true to play there. What a fun thing.”

Ultimately, Karaffa — like every player who heard his name called in the draft — wants to make it to the big leagues. However, obviously, Karaffa isn’t putting a timetable on it. Actually, he’s not even really speculating where he may play this season because he just doesn’t know.

“I don’t really want to guess where I might be or when I might move up,” Karaffa said. “Right now, my focus is on having a healthy, full season. I know I need to continue to get better and learn about pitching at the (professional) level and things will fall into place.”

As he’s continued his rehabilitation at the Phillies’ facility, Karaffa at times has had to pinch himself. Not only because he’s a professional player, but just to keep from getting caught up in being a fan, too.

“Being down here is crazy because, obviously, right now we’re all in the same locker room with the big-league guys who are down here early and there have been a few wow moments,” Karaffa said. “Guys like J.T. Realamuto and Aaron Nola are down here already. And the first time you see them, you’re kind of like shell shocked, but being with them basically every day, you get used to it. They’re just cool, great guys.”

Karaffa hasn’t been shy about talking to those guys. Afterall, he’s a guy who is trying to make it in the business and wants to soak up as much knowledge as he possibly can.

“Learning how people prepare and handle their business at this level have been a couple of the biggest things so far,” Karaffa said. “It’s been really fun meeting a lot of new guys.”

Karaffa got a good start on learning how to handle and take care of his business thanks to his time playing for now Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Brian Perkins.

Though he couldn’t attend his coach’s induction ceremony this weekend in Columbus, Karaffa said he would reach out to Perkins.

“Coach Perkins was a huge help to me and we still talk all the time,” Karaffa said. “He deserves all of the recognition he receives, especially this hall of fame. I know no matter what’s going on, I am able to pick up the phone and give him a call for any type of advice and he’s always a huge help.”

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