Personal Statement
My name is Joey Hurth. I just completed my junior year at Hopkins High School, in Hopkins, MN. For as long as I can remember, I have loved the game of baseball. From a very young age, I was either playing or watching baseball as much as I could. I grew up a block from our little league field which allowed my brother and I to spend countless hours with my father on the field or in the cages. My father coached my older brother’s team so I was constantly hanging out with that team getting extra reps. Driven to keep up with the older kids, it wasn’t long before I was holding my own and playing up with them. Ever since then, I look to players a year or two older than me when comparing my abilities and setting my goals.
I am a 6’3”and 200 lb RHP/outfielder for Hopkins and Minnesota Mash baseball club. I bat and throw right handed. When not pitching, my primary position is corner INF/OF, but I am comfortable almost anywhere in the infield having started a lot of games at SS and plenty at 1st base after pitching. I take pride in being a versatile defensive player as I know it gives my coach the flexibility to adjust the lineup as needed to give our team the best chance to win. Some coaches have occasionally used me in the outfield to keep my bat in the lineup and take advantage of my strong arm.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to play for the Minnesota Blizzard, Minnesota’s top elite club baseball program since I was 11. For the past 6 years, I was selected to receive the Logan Shore Top Pitching Award on my team by teammates and coaches. I have recently switched clubs and play for the MN Mash. The Mash was closer and more affordable for my family, and I really clicked with their pitching coach. Through club baseball, I have been fortunate to work with some of the best coaches in the upper Midwest, coaches. Coaches that have put in countless hours helping me reach my full potential and chasing my dream. All my coaches have put a high priority on teaching sportsmanship, integrity, teamwork, leadership and continuous improvement. They challenge me to be the best player and teammate I possibly can. They’ve put me and my teammates, in a position to face some to of the toughest competition in the nation. Competing in 3-5 tournaments in the southern states, against many of the best players in the nation, has shown me I can compete and succeed at that level.
At Hopkins, we play in the largest and most competitive conference in the state. As a freshman, my hard work and versatility earned me plenty of playing time on both the sophomore and JV teams, along with one appearance for our varsity. As a sophomore, I led our team in appearances, innings pitched, and wins, quickly becoming one of our staff aces. I was selected for the all-section team and awarded all-conference honorable mention. As a junior, I helped lead our team to a state tournament birth. When not pitching, I started at 1B, 3B, OF or DH and hit in the middle of the line-up. I was recently selected as a team captain for my senior season and am looking forward to helping lead my team back to the state tournament.
My baseball goal is to play at a Division 1 school that will allow me to compete at the highest level, against the best players in the country. My education goal is to graduate high school with a .395 GPA or higher so that I can attend a top tier academic school. I approach my school work with the same intensity as I do my baseball training. The school I select will place a high value on educating their student athletes to prepare them for a career after baseball. From a geographic perspective, I am totally flexible. Having lived in MPLS/St Paul all my life, I would welcome the opportunity to experience a different state and culture.
In conclusion I would like to assure all of the college coaches interested in me that you won’t be disappointed. You’ll love the way I play. My focus, work ethic, high baseball IQ and leadership will be a great fit for your team chemistry. On the field I get the job done, communicate clearly, support my teammates and lead by example. Off the field, I will be focused on my studies, my family and my future.
