Commitment To Michigan A ‘Dream Come True’ For Armstrong

Ethan Armstrong RHP / 3B / Garden City, MI / 2026

GARDEN CITY - It was five years ago when college baseball made an impression on Ethan Armstrong.

“I knew I wanted to play college baseball when I saw Michigan in Omaha against Vanderbilt in the national championship,” the Garden City High School junior reflected about seeing the 2019 College World Series. “That atmosphere … That's what made me want to do college baseball.”

It is only fitting that the top-ranked 2026 in the state is going to make the University of Michigan his future home after a commitment to the Big 10 Conference university in Ann Arbor.

“Michigan started following me around a year-and-a-half ago,” Armstrong related. “Michigan called on Aug. 1 and I went on a visit the first week in September.”

A month later the 32nd-ranked junior right-handed pitcher in the nation was a Wolverine.

“Being around the coaches, what impressed me was the great relationship I had with them,” Armstrong noted. “They offered me on the visit and I accepted four weeks later. I wanted to see different schools, the pros and cons of each.”

After all, it was quite an Aug. 1 for the 101st-rated 2026 in the country.

“My advisor and coaches were telling me it would be a busy day, but I didn’t expect that,” admitted Armstrong, who was contacted by “30-some schools” on the first day that college coaches could make contact with players in the 2026 class. “Once 12 o’clock hit, there were 15 text messages. It was crazy.”

The 6-2 199-pound two-way prospect gave credit to Prep Baseball for helping make it all possible.

“I went to the Future Games three years in a row,” Armstrong reflected. “To be able to get seen at a younger age helped me get out there. That’s where Alabama saw me.”

It was three weeks ago when the 16-year-old took a visit to Alabama in his quest to make a college decision.

“It was super nice there, more than I expected,” Armstrong related. “It really made it a harder decision for me. Once I was done on that visit I knew it was going to be hard to decide.”

But the opportunity to attend a home-state school like Michigan was too much to pass up.

“Being closer to home was a big part of my decision,” Armstrong explained. “My family has made a big impact on me in baseball. The coaches were also a reason why I chose Michigan. I love them.”

There is also the idea of going to the college he grew up liking.

“I’ve been a Michigan fan since I was seven or eight,” Armstrong noted. “I’ve always watched their football and basketball games and once I turned 12 started going to their baseball games. So this really means a lot.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Michigan, I just knew I had to do a lot more maturing. I’ve done that and I’m thrilled to be able to go to the University of Michigan.”

The chance to be a two-way player as a pitcher and third baseman only adds to the excitement.

“They know I can pitch,” the top-ranked junior RHP in Michigan said. “They also really like how I can swing it. They’re giving me an opportunity to be a two-way. I’ve loved hitting and I’ve loved pitching since I was a young kid, so knowing college coaches see the potential in me to do both means a lot.”

Armstrong is confident he can make an impact on both sides of the ball at the next level.

“I’ll give them everything I’ve got,” Armstrong said. “Michigan told me they want to get back there to Omaha and feel I can help get them back there.

“I want to be a key player in the starting lineup as a freshman. I know I’ve just gotta keep working hard and good things will happen.”

That is something that Armstrong has done growing up.

“Since a young age my dad (Brad) has given me the opportunity, driving me everywhere, throwing BP, playing catch,” Armstrong said. “He’s been a key factor in where I am today.”

A major in sport management is the plan for Armstrong, a 3.4 student looking forward to his days wearing the maize-and-blue.

“I’m excited to meet more people and become more of an adult,” Armstrong concluded. “I’m ready to learn more things, learn how they succeed.

“This is a dream come true,” Armstrong added. “To still be able to be close to home, Michigan is only 40 minutes away so my family can come and see me, it’s really a dream come true.”