Gillies Ready For The College Excitement At Eastern Michigan

Malcolm Gillies LHP / 1B / Bishop Hartley, OH / 2025

COLUMBUS - When Malcolm Gillies witnessed the college recruitment of his older brother Emmett, the desire to follow in his footsteps began.

“Before I was just playing baseball for fun, but then I saw Emmett commit to Akron and I thought I wanted to do that, too,” Gillies reflected.

Three years younger than his sibling, the 10th-rated 2025 left-handed pitcher in Ohio will soon join his brother at Eastern Michigan after making a commitment to the Mid-American Conference school.

“I like to say he’s following me,” Gillies joked about his brother, who entered the transfer portal and is now headed to EMU where he will be a junior. A year later, the two brothers will be teammates.

“It’s crazy,” Gillies noted. “I think I’ll be walking where a lot of people will know me.”

The Bishop Hartley incoming senior initially drew interest from Eastern Michigan at a Winter Prospect Camp in February, recommended by his coach.

“I put up some good numbers, 87-89,” Gillies related. “They said I was their number one 2025 lefty and invited me on a visit in March. It was nice. I expected it to be a lot smaller. I stayed in on a practice and saw how the pitchers worked. I talked to Craig Prince, the pitching coach, who recruited my brother Emmett at Akron.”

A commitment eventually took place a few months later.

“I waited until after the high school season was over,” Gillies explained. “I called (recruiting coordinator and assistant) coach (Trevor) Beerman in early May and said I was going to commit. I like how the coach emphasized not just baseball but how they’re building good men.”

Butler, Miami and Oakland all wanted to see Gillies pitch in the summer but the connection with Eastern was already made.

“They told me they like my upside,” the 6-0 165-pounder said of EMU. “I haven’t developed into my body yet. They saw a lot of growth ahead and thought I was a good fit for the program.” 

A commitment brought an end to a recruiting process that started after watching his brother head off to college.

“My first PBR event was in February of my sophomore season,” related the 46th-ranked 2025 in the state. “I also went to a Launch showcase this past year. That helped get my numbers and metrics out there. Going to camps helped accelerate my recruitment.”

Improvement on the mound was also beneficial.

“My sophomore year I only pitched three times,” Gillies noted. “I had some arm issues and wasn’t consistent. This year I was ‘the’ starter for Hartley. I improved my consistency and my strike throwing. I fanned 14 in one game. I stepped up to lead the team.”

That drive to be the best is part of what the 17-year-old looks to provide the program at Eastern.

“I’ll bring a work ethic and consistency,” Gillies explained. “I might not be the hardest thrower or best pitcher, but I want to get to that point. Being around older players will help me see what I need to do and what to do in my role.”

That has been the case growing up.

“Emmett helped me in the backyard throwing almost every day,” Gillies said. “With pitching he taught me not to think about anything on the mound. He’s always telling me to just throw the ball, play catch.”

Additional assistance has also come at home.

“My parents have been great to me, giving me opportunities with travel ball and driving me to events,” Gillies noted. “It’s not pushing me, they’ve just been great to me.”

A major in business/finance is being considered by Gillies, a 4.0 student this past year while taking four AP courses.

“I’m looking forward to the competitiveness of college ball,” Gillies concluded about his vision of what lies ahead at the university in Ypsilanti, located three hours from his home in Columbus. “Seeing the college games, the pitchers come off the mound excited, screaming. I really want to be a part of that. The camaraderie, the excitement level, the intensity … I can’t wait.”