My Story

How it started

I was six or seven when I watched Rookie of the Year, the movie about a kid who ends up pitching for the Cubs. I still have a signed picture of Henry from that movie in my room. It's pretty faded now. In 2016 my family was at Disney World the week the Cubs won the World Series, and the next day we watched them ride through the Magic Kingdom parade. That settled it. Our whole house has been Cubs fans ever since.

I started rec ball at eight, and some of the guys I train with today are the same guys I played with back then.

On the field

I play second base and shortstop. I like the parts of the game that don't always show up in a box score: being in the right spot, getting on base, and making the play people don't expect. Last summer I stole home three times in four tries. Slide, stop on my feet, then dive past the tag. After one of them a parent from the other team said nobody would see a better play all weekend.

As a sophomore my teammates voted me captain of the Wake Prep varsity team. I stopped playing football so an injury couldn't cost me a baseball season.

Off the field

I help coach a youth flag football team. We won a championship, and I like teaching the plays almost as much as running them.

I've also volunteered with Miracle League baseball, helping kids of all abilities get out on the field and play. Some of the most fun I've had at a ballpark.

What's next

I want to play college baseball at a program where I can compete for innings and keep getting better, and get a degree that sets me up for life after baseball.