Brown 'Excited For What The Future Holds' At Bowling Green

Jaxon Brown C / 1B / Lexington, OH / 2024

BELLVILLE - “It’s not every day you get a switch-hitting catcher who is 6-4,” Jaxon Brown said in reference to one of the major things about him that stood out to Bowling Green.

The incoming senior at Lexington High School was seen by the Mid-American Conference school at the Top Prospect Games in June.

“I was lucky enough to get invited to that,” the 16th-ranked 2024 catcher in Ohio pointed out about the PBR event. “I played well and Bowling Green liked what they saw there. After that they saw me at a couple of tournaments, some PBR stuff, and we had phone conversations for two to three weeks. Then they brought me in for a visit and at the end of the visit they offered. A week later I jumped on it.”

Taylor and Ohio University were among the other colleges that had interest in the 6-4 195-pounder, but Bowling Green proved to be right in the eyes of Brown.

“The campus was nice, the academic programs are great and the coaches are good and knowledgeable,” Brown said. “They seem to care about the program and the kids. I have a friend, Chase Chopin, who committed there before me, and other college coaches also have good things to say about BG.”

Speaking of good things to say, Bowling Green found more to like about Brown than just being a switching hitting 6-4 catcher.

“They like the guy as much as the player,” Brown explained. “They like the way I carry myself, my body, my build and that I have a lot of projectability. They also thought that my swing was smooth.”

As for catching, Brown took up that position around the age of 10.

“I put the gear on and according to the coaches I looked good and I stuck with it,” Brown reflected. “I like being THE man. You’re in on every play so you’ve got to know what’s going on. You have a good sense of control out there.”

It was a year or two later that Brown took up switch-hitting.

“My dad took me out back to try hitting wiffle balls left-handed,” Brown related. “Within a year I was doing it in games. At first it depended on the situation rather than if the pitcher was right or left-handed, but once I started facing curveballs it was depending on the pitcher.”

The idea of playing baseball at the next level began in middle school.

“I was playing some good travel ball and playing well,” Brown noted. “It seemed like something I could achieve. I was fortunate to work with a lot of talented guys and college baseball became a big dream of mine.”

Josh Moss, Mike Stafford and Corey Valentino were “the three big names” that played a major part in Brown getting to where he is now, along with Cam Comer.

“I did catching lessons and hitting lessons with him for a long time and he has been a great help as well,” Brown said.

The 131st-ranked senior in Ohio also gave credit to Prep Baseball Report for helping the cause in a big way.

“PBR is a great tool,” Brown noted. “I did my first PBR in February of 2021. It was my freshman year and I’d just joined a travel club. PBR is really great at getting numbers out there, showing your skills and showing your progression over the years. If not for the Top Prospect Games I don’t know if I’d have had a look from BG. It’s really a blessing.”

The 17-year-old is confident he can make an impact once part of the Bowling Green program.

“I think I’ll bring a good sense of leadership,” Brown explained. “Being part of a team is not something everybody gets to do. My work ethic is top notch and I think I can push myself as well as push others to be better than they were yesterday.”

Business or finance will be the major for Brown, a 4.0 student who is thrilled to have the recruiting process at an end.

“The best way to describe it is relief,” Brown said. “There’s a lot of weight off the shoulders. Now I can go out and play and not worry about who is watching. I can go out and have fun with the guys.”

It also brings a strong anticipation of excitement to Brown when it comes to life after high school.

“I’m excited to get to work and excited to be with the team and go to school,” Brown concluded. “I’m excited for what the future holds.”