Fournier Waiting For Opportunity To Knock

Bryce Fournier RHP / 1B / Southington, CT / 2020

SOUTHINGTON, Ct. - Opportunity was lacking for Bryce Fournier during a high school season in which his team advanced to the state championship game before losing to Staples.

It was what happened leading up to that contest that helped show what the 6-2 200-pounder had as a pitcher.

“The practice before the state championship I pitched because we were going to face Chad Knight (the fourth-rated player in the state who was selected by the Yankees in the June MLB Draft),” Fournier reflected. “I had a fantastic outing. After that, my high school coach said ‘I should have used you more.’ I think I showed him what I can do.”

Fournier is doing the same to others this summer, recording the Best Fastball at the morning session of the recent Top Prospect Games at the Connecticut Sportsplex in North Brandford

“I didn’t know what to expect, I was trying to get exposure,” Fournier admitted about the PBR event, his first since the Underclass Games prior to his freshman year. “I got tons of exposure and contacts from a good amount of colleges. That showed me I could play at the next level after pitching against some of the best high school players around here.”

Pace University, Babson College and Union College were among the schools showing an interest in the Southington incoming senior.

“I didn’t know if I could play at the next level, the only person that told me I could play was my travel coach Mike McGuire,” Fournier pointed out. “I’ve gained a ton of velo off the hill but I feel I have more in the tank. If I’d played more in high school I could have gotten my arm in better shape.”

Fournier not only gave a good showing on the mound, but at the plate as well.

“I went as a PO to the event but a first baseman on my team didn’t go and I got to hit,” Fournier noted. “I got a hit my first at-bat. I showed I was capable of hitting and that I could play the game well.

“The Babson coach liked me as a two-way,” Fournier added. “He liked how I can throw and how I can go opposite field at the pate. Pace like the way I threw the ball while Union has called my coach and said they looked at my PBR account and wanted to meet with me.”

That is quite a change from just a short while ago.