Barr Ready To ‘Continue What My Brothers’ Have Started At U of M

Deagan Barr RHP / St. Anne Catholic, ON / 2026

ST. JOACHIM, Ontario - With two older brothers already at the university, an opportunity to join them was an easy decision for Deagan Barr.

“Seeing them go to Michigan was inspiring,” Barr said in reference to siblings Preston, a freshman at UM, and Kurt, a junior with the Wolverines. “I knew if I had a chance to join them it would be a no-brainer.”

The option to be the third Barr to wear the maize-and-blue was presented and a commitment to the Big 10 school in Ann Arbor has the 17-year-old excited about being part of the baseball family at the U of M.

“It all started when I went to the Future Games Trials in March and got invited to play for Team Canada at the Future Games,” Barr reflected. “I went to Georgia and started game three, that’s when Michigan got its first look at me.

“Come Aug. 1, they were immediately in touch. I talked to them a lot and they invited me there in October for Oregon weekend where I got an offer. It was a no-brainer. I took it.”

Talk about an easy decision.

“Growing up, since I can remember, I’ve been the biggest Michigan fan, a die hard,” the second-ranked 2026 right-handed pitcher in Ontario related. “I’m also extremely close to my brothers, we do everything together, we push each other.”

The visit only made Barr more certain it was the place to be for him.

“I felt the environment,” Barr said. “Going to games, I felt part of it. The staff is amazing. They’re great guys and I can’t wait to play for them.”

As for Aug. 1….

“There were a lot of schools I considered, but as soon as I heard from Michigan I kind of knew,” the sixth-rated junior in Ontario said. “Michigan was my first visit. Everything else fell through after that.”

Barr, who attended St. Anne Catholic in Ontario last year but is now at University Liggett High School in Grosse Pointe, Mich., where his brothers graduated, admits his recruitment was far from relaxing.

“It was frustrating with schools trying to figure out money,” Barr explained. “It was a little slower process than my brothers went through. I went to them with all the questions I had. What made my process more comfortable was I already had a relationship with the coaches because of my brothers. I already was a fan of Michigan.”

In addition to input from his brothers, playing for Team Canada was also very beneficial.

“It felt great to be part of that team,” Barr noted. “Prep Baseball Ontario really showcased me well. They put me under a spotlight that helped get me where I wanted to be and I’m very grateful.”

Recruiting the 6-3 180-pounder was an obvious thing to do for Michigan.

“They like my size and my projectability,” Barr said. “They’ve seen my brothers in the program and all were at about the same stage at my age. Kurt has been successful, and they project me to be the same way.”

As the youngest of the three, Barr has believed for some time that playing at the next level was in his future.

“I always knew I wanted to play baseball,” Barr reflected. “Around the age of 12 I realized college baseball was a real possibility and I began working on my craft. The past two years I’ve grown over a foot and put on 50 pounds. Getting bigger and stronger is half the battle.

“There are so many things that go into it, I just love the process. I’ve worked on my mechanics and this year saw a 10 mile-an-hour velo jump from the previous season. It’s crazy how much dedication can do for you.”

Credit from Barr for helping make it all happen goes to his family, beyond just his brothers.

“My parents have been a big part of this,” Barr said. “My mom has been great and my dad’s the guy behind it all, getting me to the best opportunities and telling me to work as hard as I can. He’s another guy that pushes me to be the best I can be.”

Making the commitment was special as would be expected.

“I got a little emotional,” Barr admitted. “I've been dreaming about this since I was eight. I could feel the tears coming out when it became official. It was a surreal feeling.”

Business or sport management will be the college major for Barr, a 3.7 student excited about his future after high school.

“I’m looking forward to it all,” Barr said. “The guys, my teammates, going to football and basketball games, the Michigan life. Using the resources to perfect what I’m doing at Michigan, I can’t wait.

“I’m such a Michigan fan,” Barr concluded. “I just want to play baseball, bring wins to the university and then play baseball at the next level. I want to do good things and continue what my brothers have started.”