Kinnie Ready To Make His Mark On The Mound At Western Michigan

Colton Kinnie RHP / OF / Ernest W Seaholm, MI / 2024

BLOOMFIELD HILLS - Until a year-and-a-half ago, Colton Kinnie was a position player. But when pitching entered the picture his college potential increased.

“I had a natural thing for pitching,” Kinnie reflected. “I got in a throwing program, worked on mechanics and then the velo came.”

Interest from the next level also increased with schools like Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Miami, Hope and St. Thomas making contact.

“Freshman summer I went to my first PBR event and then my sophomore year I did well in high school and got a Procase invite,” the Seaholm senior related. “From that I got some emails from some coaches, mostly camp invites and personal letters.

“Junior year summer I went to the Top Prospect Games where Western saw me for the first time and we started communicating more. I went to another camp junior year and went back to the Top Prospect Games in the summer when Eastern saw me and invited me there. Senior year I went to another camp at Western and I did really well. This spring they came and watched.”

An offer followed and with it came the end of the recruiting process when the 35th-rated 2024 right-handed pitcher in the state made a commitment to the Mid-American Conference university in Kalamazoo.

“I was definitely stressed,” Kinnie admitted about still being uncommitted late in his senior year at Seaholm. “Schools I wanted came to me a little late. I had a few colleges I could have committed to, but I kept communicating with Western. (Head) Coach (Billy) Gernon gave me a call and told me where they were at with me and that kept me interested and kept me going.”

The 18-year-old saw a lot that stood out about Western Michigan, a university located three hours from home.

“I like the culture of the team,” Kinnie explained. “They’re hard working, they’re tough. I like what coach Gernon wants for the team and how he treats the team.”

Western saw a lot of potential in what the 6-2 215-pounder presents on the mound.

“They said I fill up the zone a lot,” Kinnie noted. “They said I have a good amount of pitchability. They like the culture I can bring to the team.”

While pitching remains at the forefront, the 118th-rated senior in Michigan has not given up on the prospects of being a two-way at Western.

“I was open to being recruited as a position player and I’m not shutting the door on that yet,” Kinnie said. “They’re open to me hitting in the fall and seeing how I do.”

No matter what position or positions the future holds, Kinnie is excited to be headed to play at the next level.

“I’ve always wanted to play college baseball,” Kinnie said. “When it started getting serious was when I started getting calls in the winter of my sophomore year. I started seeing people around me getting more serious and my coaches were telling me it’s getting more important to contact coaches.”

Coach Mike Nahtygal with USA Prime and high school coach John Toth are among those Kinnie credited with helping the cause, along with his parents for “always being there to make sure I’m on top of my recruiting.”

Business is the planned major for Kinnie, a 3.5 student at Seaholm who believes he can make an impact at Western.

“I think I’ll be a good teammate,” Kinnie said. “I’m someone who will be able to pitch whenever I’m wanted. I’ll bring a toughness to the program in the cold weather. They’ll be able to rely on me whenever they need me.”

A late start with pitching means there remains plenty to learn.

“I need to get more flexible and mobile,” Kinnie explained. “Now that I’m into pitching, mobility is a big drive in it.”

Knowing where his future lies is, admittedly, a “huge relief” for Kinnie and family.

“I’m excited and my parents are excited,” Kinnie said. “I’m really happy I’ve committed to a school and know where I’m going.

“I’m looking forward to making new friends,” Kinnie added. “I’m excited to get to know the baseball guys and develop as a baseball player and as a person. I’m very excited to see where my future goes.”