Toth Shows He Can Play With The Big Boys

GRANBY, Ma. - Michael Toth used being undersized to his advantage. Now he is a Division I college commit.

“Being a smaller guy in a group is difficult,” the 5-10 160-pounder admitted. “You’ve got to do all the jobs ... like picking up balls. So I used it to drive me. I stayed after practice, which made me a better person. I had to work harder than the others. I just worked at getting stronger and stronger.”

UMass-Amherst took notice … eventually.

“I went to one of their camps at the end of my sophomore year,” the 91st-rated 2022 in New England reflected. “They said they liked what they saw, but that I was more of a grow-and-developing guy. I wasn’t big on the rader.”

That did not deter Toth.

“I kept sending them video when Covid was going on,” Toth related. “I went to Florida in January with NEB and sent them that. I sent them video from PBR and they liked it.”

An offer from the Atlantic 10 Conference school located just 20 minutes from home was what Toth was looking for in a college.

“I was talking to a few other schools, but what made the difference is that it’s close to home and I like the coaching staff at UMass,” Toth pointed out.

It meant the dream of playing at the next level was going to become a reality.

“At a real young age I knew I wanted to pursue college sports in general,” Toth said. “I was big at hockey and baseball so I had to decide. I was good at baseball so I decided to work on that and try to get as high as I can.”

A statement was made his first season of high school ball at Granby.

“My freshman year I started varsity even though I was small,” Toth noted. “I proved I could play with the big boys and could play at a high level.”

His ability behind the plate continued to show.

“An excellent defender with the best feet I have seen in a long time,” Dennis Healy, PBR Massachusetts Director of Scouting, said after watching Toth at the New England Top Prospect Games I this summer.

UMass-Amherst took notice as well.

“They said they thought I was good on the defensive end,” Toth related about what stood out in his game in getting the D-I offer from UMass. “They like my throwing and catching elements. That’s why they picked me up.”

But there was more that showed in Toth’s game.

“They like my swing and that I’m small, but still powerful,” Toth related.

Twin brother Raymond has been a major part of his development, according to Toth.

“We’ve played on the same teams our whole life and used each other to get better,” Toth noted. “We’re always trying to be better than one another and at the same time trying to help one another. He’s an infielder and I help him and I’m a catcher and he helps me.”

Raymond, a Wheaton College commit, is not the only one in the Toth family that has been influential.

“My dad has really helped me out,” the 19-year-old UMass commit said. “He coached me at a young age and helped me on and off the field. He’s not afraid to give his own opinion and always made sure the whole team would be the best it could be. I learned it’s not just about you but about being a good teammate and working to make everyone better.”

A 3.7 student considering psychology or communications as a college major, Toth is confident he can be a major asset to the UMass program.

“I believe I can get a leadership role and help the team out where needed,” Toth said. “I’m a big competitor. My first year it will be hard fighting for a starting spot, so I’ll try to fill whatever role will help the team win.”

Admittedly, an opportunity to be part of the D-I program means a great deal.

“It’s what I’ve dreamed about for years and years,” Toth said. “This means so much to me and my family, to be close to home and play against the top competition across the country.

“When I finally committed, it felt great. I feel I got what I deserved and everyone around me was happy. It’s close to home and everyone can come see me play. Everyone was really excited, it was just a great moment.”