Academics, Athletics Equally Important To Burns, A Harvard Commit

SANDY HOOK, Ct. - After striking out eight of 10 batters faced at a Harvard camp, Will Burns had found a home. Soon after, a commitment to the prestigious Ivy League school was official.

“Academics and athletics have always been equally important to me,” the Newtown High School senior pointed out. “Harvard offered the best of both worlds. It was a short journey with them. They reached out a week-and-a-half before and wanted me to come to a camp. A few days later I committed. I’ve always been looking at Ivy's and high-academic schools.”

Holy Cross had offered Burns, while Dartmouth and Yale were others being considered before the 34th-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in Connecticut made a big impression with the coaching staff of the Crimson.

“Control of three pitches and dominance,” Burns said of what stood out about his performance at the Harvard camp. “I had great control of my slider and a nice two-seamer to complement my slider. I had a lot of fun.”

There was more that Burns found appealing at the university in Boston.

“I loved the coaches,” Burns noted. “I went a day early and saw the campus. It was a lot bigger than I thought it would be. I also went to a Red Sox game.”

Harvard found a lot to admire about Burns, who has grown up an Orioles’ fan.

“They really like how I was able to control three pitches and my projectability,” the 6-1 190-pounder explained. “I wouldn’t say I’m the strongest guy, so there’s room to build.”

Improvement has been vital in helping the 77th-ranked senior RHP in New England become a D-I commit.

“Aside from getting my grades up in the classroom, I’ve been working on stability with both my upper and lower half along with fine-tuning my pitches,” explained Burns, who has five pitches in his repertoire. “I’ve touched 90 but I’m not the hardest thrower ever. Refining my ability to pitch has been key for me with knowing what to throw in what count and knowing the tendencies of batters. It’s about combining the mental with the physical.”

It wasn’t until freshman year of high school that Burns even began considering playing at the next level.

“Baseball has always been big in my life,” Burns related. “Once I saw I had a chance to do it in college I wanted to capitalize on it. Between my ninth and 10th grade years is when I started going to showcases and getting after it with college recruiting. My first showcase was a PBR event. I only hit in that event, but it got me my first taste of exposure into the recruiting world of college baseball.

“It was stressful but also exciting,” the 17-year-old added. “It’s a special thing to get an opportunity to play at the next level and something I’m so grateful for.”

The 233rd-rated senior in New England understands the challenges ahead when it comes to being a student-athlete at Harvard.

“Just as it is in high school, it’s about finding that balance and also about making sacrifices from a social aspect to be able to succeed in the classroom and on the baseball field,” Burns said. “I think I’m ready for it.”

Burns, who has a 4.75 weighted GPA and 4.14 unweighted GPA at Newtown, pointed to help along the way in his journey to the next level.

“My dad pitched in college and has been my pitching coach the past 12 years,” Burns explained. “Mike Porzio at Clubhouse has also been my pitching coach and coach in general for me.”

Phil Rosengren, a private pitching coach, is another who has been beneficial, according to Burns, along with Joe Crimi and current high school coaches Ian Thoesen and Matt Paola.

“It’s a big relief, a euphoric feeling,” Burns said of making a commitment to Harvard. “It’s been a long, hard process that’s spanned over multiple years, a process that’s great to have done. I’m committed to one of the best schools in the world and a great baseball program.”

Economics is the planned major for Burns, who is confident about making an impact at the university located 21/2 hours from his home in Sandy Hook.

“I’m a competitor,” Burns said. “No matter what pitches are working or not working, I’ll fight to give my team a chance to win.”

That is what Burns is expecting to see on his Harvard team next year.

“I’m looking forward to the atmosphere of college baseball,” Burns concluded. “I know every guy wants to be there, every guy wants to win and every guy’s focus is baseball. That will be great.”