Milewski Brings Impressive Numbers To Seton Hall

WALLINGFORD, Ct. - Size, speed and power added up in the eyes of Seton Hall.

It wasn’t long after watching Kevin Milewski play that the Big East school gave the 6-4 220-pounder an offer.

“My travel coach had a connection with their assistant coach and he reached out to them to come see me at a Junior All-Star game for Connecticut,” the sixth-rated 2023 catcher in New England reflected. “The Seton Hall coach came and I performed well. He said he liked what he saw.”

One more view of the Notre Dame West Haven incoming senior was followed by a visit that included an offer.

“The campus was beautiful, the buildings were beautiful and the field was beautiful,” Milewski related. “I sat down with the head coach and the assistant coach and they said they liked me and that I could help the program. A couple of weeks later I accepted the offer. There were some other schools, but Seton Hall just stood out. I picked the right school for me.”

There was a lot to like in the eyes of the eighth-ranked high school senior in Connecticut.

“Definitely the facilities,” Milewski said in listing what stood out about the university located in South Orange, New Jersey, less than three hours from his home. “The coaching staff is phenomenal, they really focus on player development. My goal is to be drafted one day and they will help me achieve that goal.”

There is a belief the catcher and potential first baseman from Wallingford will be a major asset to the Big East Conference program.

“They definitely like my power,” Milewski said. “I have a great bat and they also like my size and my speed. They didn’t think a 6-4 catcher could be doing what I was doing and be able to move the way I can.”

The 35th-rated 2023 in New England is confident about what he can provide Seton Hall.

“I feel I can make a huge impact in the lineup with my bat and help them win ball games,” Milewski explained. “I definitely can be someone who can stand out, help them win a conference championship and get them to the World Series.”

The desire to play at the next level had been there for some time according to Milewski.

“I’ve always wanted to play college baseball but it never entered my mind until I switched from my town legion team to CT Grind Orange,” Milewski pointed out. “When I did that, I’m now able to do what I want to do and I can’t thank them enough. College baseball has always been on my mind and now it’s going to happen.”

There was additional help along the way.

“PBR made a huge impact on my recruitment,” the 17-year-old said. “Without them I wouldn't have had the numbers to give to schools. I was using that to send to schools to look at.”

Numbers such as 100 exit velocity, 1.95 pop time, 79 catcher velo and 7.09 60 time helped bring notice to the second-ranked 2023 catcher in Connecticut.

“The weight room has made a big impact on my game,” Milewski noted. “I’m in there almost every day lifting and getting stronger and faster. It was a huge game-changer from my sophomore year when I barely hit .300 to my junior year when I hit .500 and was all-state. My game just improved tremendously. The best decision in my life was to get in there and work every single day.”

A commitment to Seton Hall made a memorable impression on Milewski, who carries a 3.9 GPA and is planning to major in sport management.

“It was definitely a nerve-racking process,” Milewski admitted. “It’s the first real decision I’ve ever had to make. At that moment it was the best feeling I’ve ever felt to call and tell (associate head) coach Giuseppe (Papaccio) and (head) coach (Rob) Sheppard I wanted to commit.”

Milewski is hoping being part of a college program is just the beginning of a future in baseball

“I’m looking forward to being with the team and working at the sport we all love,” Milewski concluded. “It’s going to be fun being together and working toward one dream - to play professional baseball one day.”