Michigan The Perfect Fit For Sharpe

GROSSE POINTE PARK - Birthday came a day early this year for Reggie Sharpe.

The second-ranked 2024 in the state made a commitment to Michigan one day before turning 15.

“It was a great birthday present,” related the University Liggett freshman. “They took me on a virtual tour to show me the school and then brought me into coach Bakich’s office. On the call before he said the best players in Michigan come to Michigan and your one of the best in Michigan. On this call he said, ‘would you like to come to Michigan’ and I said yes.”

Sharpe made a big impression when Michigan initially observed him play.

“The first time they saw me was two years ago at the Junior Future Games,” Sharpe said about the PBR event held at that point in time at Grand Park in Indianapolis. “I really showed out hitting four home runs, three inside-the-park.”

Interest remained from that point on.

“Our conversations started off talking about the school,” related Sharpe, who lives an hour from the UM campus. “I took a liking to the law school.”

While plans are to major in law, there was more about Michigan that intrigued Sharpe.

“They have amazing facilities for football and also indoors (for baseball) to play full intersquad games,” Sharpe said. “It’s the perfect fit. It’s in my backyard and I’ve always liked Michigan.

“I grew up a fan of Michigan football, baseball and basketball. I watched them in the College World Series (in 2019). I'm proud to be a part of a team with that history. I love (head) coach (Erik) Bakich and coach (Nick) Schnabel.”

The feeling is mutual.

“They said I’m a pretty projectable player,” noted the top-rated freshman shortstop in the state. “They like me speed wise, I’m good up the middle and they like my bat. I’m not a power guy, but I get on base. I’m an all-around player.”

The 5-6 130-pounder recently added to his resume by taking up switch-hitting.

“I’ve been doing it for six or seven months,” Sharpe said. “I was always playing around with it a little bit but what brought it on was doing it over covid. I made up my mind to do it and I took a liking to it. I think it takes my game to the next level.

“It’s coming along pretty good,” Sharpe added. “I’m starting to get that power.”

A lot of work took place when spring season was shut down.

“I hit off the tee and took BP going to the cages to practice with my dad,” Sharpe related. “He has access to go to them at any time.”

Sharpe believes the work put in has made him a better player.

“I’ve improved just learning more about the game,” Sharpe noted. “My infielding has gone way to a different level. My hands are a lot faster, my footwork is a lot better and I can throw from a lot of arm angles. As a hitter, I’m more skilled.”

The desire to play college baseball has been around for a long time.

“I’ve wanted to do it since I started walking,” Sharpe said. “My father cut the ends of a wiffle ball bat with a butter knife and let me swing it. I had a good swing for a little guy. That transferred to my game now. I’m not mechanical.”

The love of the game has only grown.

“I took a liking to baseball at a very early age,” Sharpe reflected. “I’ve wanted to go as far as I can for a long time. When other kids were hitting off a tee, my dad would come and throw hard to me.”

Sharpe points to his father as the biggest influence he has had.

“My dad has definitely been big at getting me where I am,” noted Sharpe. “He practices with me every day at home and has been a big help training wise. He’s my 15U head coach now at Little Caesar’s and not afraid to talk to people to get me out there.”

Memories were made along the way, including a trip to the Little League World Series with his father, Reggie, the first-base coach of Grosse-Pointe Woods-Shore.

“That was probably the most joy anything has brought to me,” related Sharpe, who hit a walk-off for one win. “It was just a great experience and gave me a lot of publicity.”

Now Sharpe is looking to carry that on at the next level.

“I think I can be a great leader for them,” Sharpe said in looking ahead to playing at Michigan. “I’m a very energetic guy that will fly around the bases and pick you up. I know the game.”

There were few other schools communicating with Sharpe, with Penn State and Tennessee giving some attention. Interestingly, the recruiting process was starting to pick up with Vanderbilt - which defeated Michigan in the 2019 College World Series championship game - making an inquiry just after Sharpe had committed.

“I didn’t feel I needed to wait,” Sharpe explained about his commitment at a young age. “I found a school that was the perfect fit and didn’t see any reason to put it off. I love the coaches and I trust them. I feel this is in the best interest to me. It’s one of the best decisions of my life.

“I also liked that on national TV coach Bakich said he wants African-Americans from the inner city to come and play baseball at Michigan. I respect that and him as my coach.”

The excitement in making a commitment came and went for Sharpe.

“It was great celebrating when I committed, but now it’s back to work,” Sharpe concluded. “I’ve got to have my body in the best shape possible so when I get there I’m ready to go.”