Harris Confident About Making Impact At Western Michigan

RICHLAND - Plans change.That was certainly the case for Julian Harris.

“A year ago I told myself I was never going to stay home, that I wanted to see something new, and that’s what I worked for,” Harris reflected about his college intentions. “But then I saw Western and really liked it.”

Enough so to make a commitment to the Mid-American Conference university located in Kalamazoo, just 10 minutes from home.

“I went to a camp there and the pitching coach saw my potential,” Harris related. “He liked what he saw and a couple of days later wanted me back over to the office to sit down with (head) coach (Billy) Gernon. He was very personable. We talked about what it’s like being on the team and what my role would be. He thinks I can be an impact player as a freshman.”

For starters, it will be as a pitcher.

“I’ll start out as a PO but he said he’ll give me an opportunity to swing it after practice,” noted the fourth-rated 2024 third baseman in Michigan. “But I’ll focus on pitching.”

The Gull Lake junior has made big strides on the mound over the past year.

“As a sophomore I started varsity at third base and pitched the best games,” Harris said. “I was 83-86 and 20 pounds less than I am now. I hurt my arm, so that was a setback, but then I changed my direction. I began working on being quick on the mound and working downhill quicker. I worked on a velocity program and also throwing heavy balls.”

At the Western Michigan camp, the 14th-ranked junior right-handed pitcher in the state was 87-89, topping at 89.8.

“My dad’s the strength and conditioning coach at Patriot Baseball, so it’s good to have that advantage,” Harris explained. “At a young age I worked on athleticism, really stressing explosive work with a lot of stretching and flexibility. It’s always been a staple around my house.

“The last six months I’ve put on 10 to 15 pounds,” added Harris, who is now 6-3 and 180 pounds. “I’ve been hitting the weight room and eating right. My athleticism has increased so much in the last year with the work I put in day in and day out.”

It has Western Michigan excited about what the 42nd-rated 2024 in the state can bring to the program.

“The big thing they like about me is how much upside I have and how whippy my arm is,” Harris noted.

The 17-year-old is confident he can make an impression at Western.

“I’ve played the highest competition level in the country the last eight years,” Harris explained. “I know I’m ready for the MAC and think I can be dominant going into my freshman year of college.”

Interest in playing baseball after high school began early on.

“My 10, 11 and 12U days I was playing PBR events with the best players around here,” Harris said. “Last year I had a great experience playing and that helped put me on the map.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process brought some nerves.

“The stressful part is the mental aspect,” Harris said. “I was working so hard and not hearing anything. That made me wonder. But it all set me up for Western.”

In addition to his father Damian, Harris pointed to Tony and Scott Leonard, his coaches for 13-14U baseball; Rick Stiner, head coach with Canes Midwest; and Greg Wright, pitching coach with NPA Baseball, as being influential in taking him to the next level in the sport.

“I trained really hard,” Harris said. “That’s when I was in my prime in my middle infield days. It helped me get to where I am today.”

It has the Gull Lake junior thrilled to be committed.

“It’s something that all players who make it to this point will remember,” Harris said of the feeling he had when a commitment was made. “I told my dad I think I’m going to paint the room Brown and Gold and he said, “so you’ve made your decision?” The next day I called them. It was great to see all the hard work pay off. It brought me that confidence boost.”

Business will be the college major for Harris, a 3.3 student ready for the challenges ahead in the MAC.

“I’m looking forward to the competition,” Harris concluded. “I hate losing, it’s the worst thing on planet earth. I can’t wait to learn to be a leader at that level. The team bonding and traveling with the boys is going to be awesome, plus it’s a great business school.”