Ethan Goldstein '24 Recruiting Profile

I love baseball, and I am 100% committed to taking my baseball as far as I can.

To be as honest as possible, my strengths and weaknesses have evolved in the last year or two as I went on a major growth spurt.  A year ago, I had grown quickly to 6’0, 147 lb. kid with a size 13 ½ shoe that was still working into my body.  Today, I am 6’2”, 172 lb., and I have gained that weight through a strong commitment to eating, working out and taking care of my body.

I have always been a good contact hitter, but historically I was not a power hitter.  This morning (8/2/23), I hit my first wood bat home run at the PG South World Series … and my coach said it was a no doubter that cleared 330 ft. left center by 30-40 ft.  I will be honest - I knew I had wood bat home run potential in me (I had hit the fence before), but I didn’t know I had that kind of power.  I am seeking to be 190-195 lbs. by the spring, and I believe my hitting (contact and power) can be strong tools for me if I can achieve that weight gain.

I have also always had a good arm.  I have thrown 88 from the infield (playing mostly SS and 3B), but I did not pitch from 13u-16u.  My coaches started encouraging me to pitch during my sophomore year at IMG Academy, and I pitched maybe 20 innings as I was primarily a position player, and my batting was solid both fall and spring seasons.  However, mid-way through this spring (junior year), I started focusing on not only 3B/SS but also pitching.  I have an 85 mph. fastball (have hit 86) and a very good curve.  My change-up is OK, but it still needs work.  I am hoping to have the change-up going strong and perhaps a fourth pitch by next spring.  Between the fact that I am now getting my first mechanical pitching instruction in four years and my weight gain trajectory, I am hopeful I can hit 90 by the spring season.

When my feet grew dramatically, I also got slower.  I went from the fastest kid on my teams to a slower 7.11 60-yd dash / 1.66 10-yd. split now.  I know those aren’t great numbers; it is probably my weakest tool right now.  I am hopeful I can get those stats down a good bit as I get stronger, but until I do and with my batting starting to gain power, I feel that I am more of a 3B/RHP.  I have played every position in the field except catcher, and I will always raise my hand to contribute wherever I can be useful to the team.

What am I looking for?  A strong academic school (I have a 3.7 unweighted/4.0 weighted GPA through my first three years).  I want a head coach who believes in me and who plans to stay at the school I join for a good while.  Regardless of the level of collegiate baseball I make it to, I want a college baseball program that always seeks excellence, pushes its players and plays against the highest level competition it can.  Finally, I want a school and baseball program that feels right to me – I know that is hard to quantify.

I appreciate your taking the time to learn a bit about me.