Simes Staying Close To Home At UMass Lowell

RUTLAND, Ma. - Michael Simes believes there is a lot he can bring to a program at the next level.

“I can be a starter or however they need me to be used,” the Wachusett High School junior said. “I’ll work my heart out and pitch there for four years. I’ll continue to improve and get better every time I step on the field. I want to be the guy they trust to put in the game in tough situations.”

After long consideration, UMass Lowell is the fortunate recipient of the 29th-rated 2022 right-handed pitcher in New England.

“They saw me through some tournaments, on my profile on PBR and on film,” Simes related about the America East Conference university. “I had a phone call with the pitching coach to talk about what the school and the program is about and I liked what I heard.”

More discussion followed before a college choice was made.

“We had zoom calls about academics and practice and then they gave an offer,” Simes said. “After that I went on a visit with my mom. She didn’t want me to commit without seeing the campus. I’d never been there before.”

The one-and-a-half-hour trip was what the 100th-ranked New England junior envisioned.

“I wanted to stay local,” pointed out Simes, who was also contemplating interest from additional schools in the New England area including UMass Amherst, UConn and Rhode Island.

“I liked everything about them so why not,” Simes reasoned about making a commitment with UMass Lowell. “They talked about their throwing program, how they run practices and their training and conditioning and how their pitchers have five throwing days a week. Indoor training doesn’t lie.”

A tall frame, athleticism on the mound and the ability to throw hard stood out to Lowell according to Simes, who has made big strides as a pitcher this year.

“It’s been mostly mental,” Simes noted about recent improvement. “I’m staying composed and not getting upset if things aren’t going my way. I’ve also developed my other two pitches, the curve and change, to compliment my fastball “

PBR Massachusetts Director of Scouting, Dennis Healy, liked what he saw at the Central Massachusetts Showcase in late September.

“The frame projects, the arm is clean and he showed a feel for all three pitches,” Healy said after the PBR event. “Big and good looking prospect for me.”

The drive to get better continues.

“I’m still working on gaining strength and weight,” Simes noted. “I’ve put the baseball down for a month or two, lifting four or five days a week and eating right. I’m 6-4, 170 now and want to be close to 200 pounds by the time I’m a senior in high school.”

After that, it is on to a lifelong dream.

“I’ve always wanted to play college baseball since I stepped on the field,” Simes explained. “I fell in love with the game at a young age and want to take it as far as I can.”

The realization came recently for Simes, who turned 17 years of age back on Oct. 6.

“It became more realistic playing up an age with 17U instead of 16U,” Simes noted. “Playing with this team (StormBrigade) was a step up recruiting wise. They asked about me and I just kept working until I found a school I liked.”

A 3.0 student leaning toward a major in criminal justice, Simes pointed to a number of people that have been major factors in his baseball journey.

“The main influence has been my father, driving me to all the games and practices and throwing with me every time I needed him,” said Simes, who took lessons from Ed Riley in his early days of pitching. “My coaches, trainers and teammates have also helped out, my trainers for getting me in the weight room and motivating me. This year my (summer) coach, Mike Depetro, helped a lot contacting colleges or going out and throwing a bullpen to tweak a few things.”

It led to an offer and commitment with UMass Lowell.

“It was hard with the virus, but I wasn’t too worried, I’m a 2022,” Simes said about the recruiting process. “I liked how you could reach out to coaches yourself, but I didn’t like that they couldn’t come see you which made it difficult. In the end, it’s a big weight off my shoulders. It feels good to be wanted.”