Shenefelt Excited For The Opportunity Ahead At Princeton

Nick Shenefelt 3B / RHP / Seaholm, MI / 2024

BIRMINGHAM - “Arguably the best school in the country” is what Nick Shenefelt says about Princeton, the university where the Ernest W Seaholm High School senior recently committed.

“It’s a tip-tier school with opportunities that they can connect me with,” Shenefelt said. “I clicked with the coaches and got to know the players. It felt right, exactly what I wanted to feel when I made the decision.”

The sixth-rated third baseman in Michigan credited a high school assistant coach with setting things up with the Ivy League coaches.

“He had connections with their coach and really put things in motion,” Shenefelt related. “They checked out my Twitter and videos and I stayed in contact with them throughout the summer and offseason. 

“They wanted me to come on a visit and I went and loved the campus. They called and gave me an offer on Oct. 2 when I was in Florida. I came to a decision with my family that it was the perfect fit for me and I accepted on Oct. 7.”

In the end, it came down to Princeton and Michigan according to Shenefelt, with “Western Michigan and smaller schools in the area” others being considered before Princeton jumped to the front.

“Obviously the academic part you have to check off,” noted the recently-turned 18-year-old, who carries a 4.2 GPA at Seaholm. “That put me on their radar. I also know their head coach, (Scott) Bradley, was a lefty hitter and they like that about me. I can play infield, outfield and can pitch. They like my potential.

“Hopefully I can be a two-way there,” Shenefelt added. “Originally they wanted me as a third baseman and pitcher and I’ve started working on outfield as well.”

Playing college baseball has “been a goal my whole life,” according to the 68th-ranked 2024 in the state.

“When I was a kid I wanted to be an MLB player and this is a stepping stone,” Shenefelt explained. “I used to play baseball and football but I quit both to focus on baseball in the offseason.”

That proved beneficial in the eyes of the 6-2 195-pounder.

“I train every day at 2SP,” Shenefelt noted. “I’m down to 6.79 in the 60 from 7.3. That’s where I’ve made a lot of improvements in the last year.”

It helped bring an end to a recruiting process that started when he was a sophomore.

“I went to the TPG Trials at Eastern two years ago and I hit a home run,” Shenefelt reflected. “That was a big event for me. Doing school camps, tournaments and making connections were also big things for me.”

Shenefelt, who is leaning toward a major in economics, understands the challenges ahead being a student-athlete at Princeton.

“It will be a lot of work but I’m excited about it,” Shenefelt explained. “It will make me a better person and player. It will prepare me for the real world and help with what it can bring me after college.”

The decision to commit was “a life-changing opportunity” for Shenefelt.

“I was super pumped,” Shenefelt related. “My recruitment senior-year time frame was coming up to make it happen. Committing was a stress reliever and weight off my shoulders. It’s nice to get it done with, and I’m super excited for the opportunity.”

There is a lot to look forward to at the university located in western New Jersey, nine hours from home.

“I’m excited for the community they have,” Shenefelt said. “It’s a community built to help each other. The alumni’s great and the relationships I’ll make going to school and living together there will be special. I’m excited to make some lifelong friends.”

On the field, Shenefelt believes he has a lot to provide the program.

“I’ll bring versatility,” Shenefelt concluded. “I’ll work hard and will do whatever they need me to do. I’ll bring positive energy and try to be a leader. I’m excited to see how we do together.”