Steven Harshbarger '25 Recruiting Profile

My HS team was 38-1, region and GA 3A state champs, and we finished ranked 9th in the Nation by MaxPreps. As for me, I have been playing baseball since I was five years old. I played most sports up to 8th grade and then veered to my favorite (baseball). Since then I've wanted to play at the collegiate level. 

I have played all positions, but will most likely be a C, CIF, COF, and/or short-relief P at the next level. I am versatile and twitchy. I have been an all region select two years in a row (Sophomore and Junior). I recently ran a 4.7/40 and recorded a 32” vertical jump at my high school. I work daily on game type reps and seek to play against the best competition. I've made gains in the weight room this year and will continue to progress. My summer schedule is typically against national level teams and I transferred to a public school (Harlem HS) to face stronger competition. My assistant coach recently told me that I bring energy to the weight room. That's how I want to be viewed, as a guy that does more than the rest. Is it leading to results? Absolutely, I caught over 210 innings this Spring without any injuries.

Academically I have maintained a 4.0 average and scored a 23 on the ACT. I stay active within my community by assisting my father with coaching youth basketball at my local church. We are in the process of trying to expand it to other sports and fitness-type nights. I've also been staying after school to work with underclassmen on hitting. I guess you could say that I started an offseason baseball club that keeps growing. And I recently started giving catching lessons.

I want to attend a university that prepares me for the future but also pushes me to be the best baseball player possible. I am open to most options. Most importantly I want to go where I am wanted. Given that most D1 schools want a locked in position player, I'm not a great fit for that model. I am the player that hits at a high level and is comfortable playing a position that needs filled. I can compete for playing time at several positions and hope to push those around me to earn their time. Lastly, I have the option to use my father's GI Bill which will assist with my fees for at least five semesters and automatically qualify me for instate tuition as well as additional funding. This is a huge bonus, but I do not want to be viewed as "free." Most RC's don't understand how the VA educational benefits work, but it's definitely an added benefit.

In summary, I'm a strong student, a versatile player that hits for power, and blessed to have VA educational benefits. I only ask in return to be wanted and given a fair opportunity to play.