About
My Story
​My sophomore year, I played JV, struggled with control, and topped out at 79 mph. After that season, I was told if you want to play beyond high school, you need to hit the weight room and commit.
That summer, I worked with Tommy John’s son, learning training philosophy to stay healthy and resilient as a pitcher. I also trained with Bobby Congalton, who pushed me harder than I thought I could handle. I gained strength but was far from the strength, speed, and power necessary. Junior year, I made varsity, bouncing between starter and bullpen, topping 84 mph. By senior year, I still had no D1 offers—just some interest from D2 and D3 schools. That fall, I was throwing 84-86 mph. I caught the attention of my future USD pitching coach through a great bullpen, but when he said they were interested there was going to be no scholarship money. I took the opportunity and stepped into college baseball.
That first fall, I realized how much stronger, faster, and more skilled others were. I hit 90 mph for the first time and earned a spot as a lefty specialist. My first season ended early due to COVID, and shortly after, I tore my meniscus. Surgery and rehab went well, and I returned stronger, determined to secure a weekend starting role.
Sophomore year, I was sitting 88-91 mph, won the Sunday starter spot, and struggled. The pressure was intense on Sunday—if I fell behind in the count to start an inning someone was warming up in the bullpen. That got to my head after a while and I wasn’t feeling free to be me out there. Eventually I got moved to the bullpen, where I sat for over a month without pitching.
That time fueled a fire in me. With some mechanical adjustments and a new mindset, I started throwing 92-94 mph. I earned my way back into games and carried that momentum into the Northwoods League, where I reached 96 mph and landed on the national draft radar. Junior year, I hit 97 mph and had a breakout season ending in a 7-inning, 1-run performance against Vanderbilt in the Corvallis Regional. A few months later, my lifelong dream came true—I was selected 59th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals.