Ashton Malone '27 Recruiting Profile

As soon as I could walk, I walked with a bat and ball in my hand.  From t-ball, to peewees, to Babe Ruth, to high school, Baseball has been a sport I love and excel at; however, I am much more than a pitching speed, batting average, or ERA.

I have played organized baseball since I was 7 years old. My primary positions are pitcher, 3rd base and 1st base. At ages 7-9, I played for Hegewisch Little League. At ages 10-12, I played for East Side Little League while also playing for the Southside Scrappers travel team.  When I was 12 and 13, I played up a division for the Chicago Stars 13U team. Since the age of 13, I've played for the East Side Babe Ruth League, which is a highly competitive Rec league (ages 13-16). This league is made up of JV and Varsity baseball players from the Chicagoland area. This past fall and winter, I also played for the Regional Renegades 14u travel team. As the Renegades' pitcher, I lead the team in ERA, Strikeouts, Strikeouts Per 9 innings, and hits allowed. As a hitter, I lead the team in batting average (.647), hits, slugging percentage, RBI and on-base percentage. 

Academically, I am a very hardworking, organized, and driven student. With a full schedule of International Baccalaureate classes, extracurricular activities, and family, I am able to maximize time, prioritize goals, and complete tasks to ensure high grades.  

I have heard from my previous coaches that I am a very coachable athlete. My parents have ingrained in me that there is always room for improvement and that I should strive to be better today than I was yesterday.  I believe this foundational principle has allowed me to take constructive criticism well. I am able to hear and implement feedback, as harsh as it can be sometimes, without it impacting my spirit. My mom says I have that “growth mindset.” 

My dad, who was my first coach, instilled in me that baseball is a team sport.  As a pitcher, I know that I will not be able to play every game, but even from the bench, I am verbally and physically interacting with my teammates offering them encouragement.  Although I absolutely love pitching, I am an adaptable team player. If my coach needs someone at third base, shortstop, or even right field, I perform to the best of my ability.

I believe I would be a good candidate for a college team.  My dedication, teachable spirit, and adaptability set me apart from other recruits. I will continue to work hard for myself to reach my goals and would welcome the opportunity to showcase my skill set to a college looking for a player like me.