Brzustewicz Following Brother To Notre Dame

Hudson Brzustewicz SS / RHP / Orchard Lake St. Mary's, MI / 2026

ROCHESTER HILLS - This year and next will not be the only years that Hudson Brzustewicz has the opportunity to play baseball on the same team with his older brother.

Like Parker, the younger Brzustewicz sibling has decided that Notre Dame is the place to go for college.

“He got me started with them, but it was not all Parker, it checked all the boxes I was looking for,” related the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s freshman, while adding a key ingredient in the decision. “I started playing with Parker this year and I want to do it there.”

The connection began through the older Brzustewicz, an Orchard Lake junior who committed to Notre Dame last November.

“They heard about me from Parker,” the 183rd-rated 2026 in the nation reflected. “They saw me play in some tournaments and we started building a relationship. Two or three months ago they offered. I was going to wait, but with the new rule I decided to commit.”

The top-rated freshman middle infielder in Michigan was impressed with what Notre Dame had to offer.

“I liked everything around there,” Brzustewicz said. “I loved the coaches and loved talking to them. I liked the location, the baseball facility and the field.”

A decision did not really come down to Notre Dame and another school or two for Brzustewicz.

“There were a few others interested, but it was between deciding now and me waiting until my junior year with the rule change,” Brzustewicz explained. “If I did wait, would I want to go ‘here’ over Notre Dame. I thought about that and I didn’t think I would.”

It has the recently-turned 16-year-old happy to reach a long-time goal.

“My whole life I’ve wanted to play baseball in college and the pros,” Brzustewicz noted. “I first realized I was going to be able to do it when I started having my first calls in eighth grade. There were a few schools reaching out and then a lot of them. I started feeling the next level was for sure for me, I just needed to keep getting better and be better.”

That meant putting on more size.

“The biggest thing for me was that I wasn’t the biggest kid, I was tall but skinny,” explained Brzustewicz. “I put on 20 pounds in a year which was big for me. I added more muscle, that was the main thing. I worked on my bat and glove and threw bullpens and I kept throwing harder. Two years ago I was 75 and I got to 88 at tryouts (for Orchard Lake varsity). I needed more arm strength to play infield and pitch and I got everything around the shoulder stronger.”

An impression in all areas of his game was made on Notre Dame.

“They really like my glove and especially my bat with a good approach and hitting barrels,” related Brzustewicz, now 6-2 and 180 pounds. “They see me as a two-way if I keep working on pitching and I’m getting there.”

The second-ranked 2026 in the state pointed to his older brother as a major influence in his journey to play college baseball.

“We always compete in anything, it’s us pushing each other that gets us better,” Brzustewicz explained. “He’s the reason I’m at St. Mary’s. He’s been creating the path for me and what’s the right way to do it for baseball. Parker’s been a good example for me.”

There were others that helped the cause in making the university in South Bend, Ind., a future home.

“Both of my parents have done everything for me to get to this point,” Brzustewicz said. “I’ve also had good coaches growing up that taught me the right way to do things.”

It has Brzustewicz confident about making an impact at Notre Dame, just like he has done at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s his freshman year.

“The biggest thing I’ll bring is my bat,” noted Brzustewicz. “I can play anywhere on defense, if I can just get in the lineup on the field I can bring another barrel. I’m a good left-handed stick that can find some gaps.”

A 4.2 student his first semester at Orchard Lake St. Mary, who is uncertain about a college major, Brzustewicz is thrilled to know he has a bright future ahead at Notre Dame.

“It’s a blessing to have any of these offers,” Brzustewicz said. “To make the decision to go there is sweet. I know I can play more baseball with my brother and I love Notre Dame and everything around there.”

Brzustewicz, who listed every position except catcher as potential places he can play, believes being part of the St. Mary’s program has played an instrumental role in becoming a commit to the Atlantic Coast Conference school.

“Being around players that will be off to college next year and then maybe the pros is great to be around,” related Brzustewicz, who anticipates more of the same with the Fighting Irish.

“The one thing I’m looking forward to the most at Notre Dame is the college baseball atmosphere and going to practices every day.”