- 2018 Highlights
Personal Statement
Like other baseball players, I love to play the game, but I love "the game within the game" nearly as much. I enjoy trying to master the challenges of the sport, to test myself and my team mentally and physically to conquer opponents and to eliminate or diminish our obstacles and limitations. As a catcher, I welcome the leadership role that is necessary to help my teams reach our potential and exceed it. I work hard to improve my skills, strength, and athleticism, just as I would expect of the other prospects. My skills as a leader were developed, not assumed. I am fortunate to have parents that provide me with guidance but allow me to find my path, to make mistakes, to learn. They have taught me the importance of perspective. Having perspective gives me the edge to lead effectively, to understand that others must want to follow in order for me to lead. This is why not only my coach but my teammates want me behind the plate to close a championship game with a one run lead.
While I have played on travel teams since 7U, it is only fairly recently that I started playing "prospect ball" after making the NOCA Select team. Our NOCA Select team traveled to the Dominican Republic in May 2018 to play several very talented Dominican teams over the course of four days. It was an incredible experience and much fun. I met some great players and learned a lot about humanity during the trip. You don't need fancy cleats or uniforms or the newest bats and gloves to play the game and become a great player. You need desire, toughness, and a can do spirit. The Dominicans love training and playing the game as much and as long as possible, regardless of the weather, gear, or field conditions. They want to be the best. They don't complain. They view baseball as a means to a better life in America. I learned that we have been spoiled chasing our baseball dreams, while wearing nice uniforms, using first rate equipment supplied by our parents, and staying in nice hotels while traveling to play in well regarded venues. I learned to better appreciate my parents, coaches, teammates and the game, and to be even more thankful for my life while in the Dominican Republic.
As a freshman during the spring 2018 baseball season, I traveled with the varsity team, played more during JV games and was asked to catch a few freshman games. I essentially functioned as the varsity bullpen catcher. It was a tough job that I appreciated and used to become a better catcher and teammate. Our varsity lost a close Louisiana 5A state championship game. I was very proud and surprised at the end of the season when my coach called me into his office to notify me that I had earned a varsity letter because of my valuable contribution to the team. My teammates had been vocal about their appreciation for me, but it was nice to learn that the coaches respected and valued the contributions that I had made even though it was not necessary for them to do so. I plan to be much more active playing prospect ball and participating in showcases and Perfect Game events moving forward. I have been part of the Under Armour Baseball Factory but haven't participated in an event since I was 13.
Considering my age and desire, I expect my skills and athleticism to improve as I drive myself to become the best baseball player and athlete I can be. I spend nearly as much time learning the game and increasing my mental command of the game as I do training physically for it. I want to play baseball for as long as I can. Playing collegiate baseball is one of my primary goals. Once my bats and gloves are retired as a player, I hope to grow into other roles within the game, maybe as a high level coach, manager, scout, or executive in college and/or professional sports. I am an honor student and plan to obtain a first rate college education. My interests are many. I prepare to excel in life, not just baseball.
Several family members are playing or have played college and professional sports. I have a cousin that is a pitcher at Loyola-New Orleans, a cousin that was an all-star pitcher at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi and is currently a pitcher for the U. of New Orleans, and a cousin that currently plays baseball for Bellhaven University in Jackson, MS. I have a cousin that was recently a wide receiver for the U. Louisiana-Monroe and a cousin that was a pole vaulter for Southeastern Louisiana University. I have a great uncle that was a running back at Louisiana Tech before becoming a special team player for the Washington Redskins and an uncle that was a defensive tackle for SW Oklahoma State University. I plan to join this list.
Update since creating my initial personal statement. I have dealt with some throwing arm issues this past year. I Knew something was wrong at the Perfect Game Lakepoint event in Oct 2018. I did not disqualify myself but should not have participated in the throwing and pop time events. Those throwing analytics were way off from my norm. It was eventually determined that I had a throwing elbow UCL tear. After failed conservative measures I eventually had surgery. I am currently the most fit and strongest in my life but am taking a break from baseball to regroup after this past year of injury. I am pursuing a tier-1 target school to study business (accounting & finance) and economics. I am trying to consider if I can accept becoming a utility player that can also catch when needed rather than a primary catcher. This would likely be the best baseball path for me personally and for my teams, but it is somewhat difficult to accept when I have been a primary catcher. My hitting remains strong and should be more productive when I am not catching, but it is still a path I am contemplating before moving forward. Thank you,
Mitchell
