Future Games Helps Connect Shaprio, Kent State

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS - Two innings on the mound at the Future Games was enough to bring an attraction with Evan Shapiro to Kent State.

At 6-6 and 230 pounds, the University School junior stood out on the mound, touching 88 while striking out two and allowing one hit in his pitching performance at the PBR event at LakePoint, Ga.

“The first time they saw me was at the Future Games,” the ninth-ranked 2023 right-handed pitcher in Ohio related. “They may have seen me earlier, but it was at the Future Games when they started talking to me for the first time.

“Coach (Barrett) Serrato invited me to go to a game and I went there,” continued Shapiro, in reference to the recruiting coordinator at Kent. “I loved the field, the locker room and the facilities. After that I went on an official visit and they offered. I committed about a month after that.”

There was a lot to like about the Mid-American Conference school and baseball program.

“It’s 40 minutes from home,” Shapiro said in listing off what all played a role in his decision to make a commitment to Kent State. “I like the downtown area and where the school is located. I also like the value the coaches have in me as a player and as a person. I made a connection with them better than any other school. I felt at home.”

Arizona State, Central Florida and Toledo were among the other main schools intrigued with the 16-year-old, but Kent State became the school of choice when all was said and done.

“Coach (Mike) Birkbeck said he likes that I’m confident but not cocky,” Shapiro explained about the pitching coach at the university. “He likes that confidence that I have on the mound. The coaches like that I’m humble, but have the confidence to get the job done. They also like my size as a pitcher and my projectability.”

The 29th-rated junior in the state was happy to have the opportunity to participate at the Future Games, which helped bring the connection with Kent.

“I knew that the Future Games was a big deal,” Shapiro noted. “All of my coaches said it was a big deal and to go to it. I knew about players that went before and that their recruitment took off after that. It was cool to be around the best uncommitted players in the nation.”

The PBR Ohio Procase in February and the Top Prospect Games in June helped prepare Shapiro for the Future Games, which made his college baseball dream a reality.

“I started thinking about playing college baseball when I realized I could take baseball to the next level and it was becoming more than just a hobby,” Shapiro related. “That started in seventh or eighth grade. It was then that I realized I could play in college. I was progressing faster than other people in terms of velocity and size.”

Recent improvement was beneficial as well.

“When high school started is when I started to get in the weight room and work with trainers and things,” Shapiro noted. “My trainer in high school put together a good plan for me.”

RJ Fergus at Hitters Baseball Academy is another that was influential in development for Shaprio, who also pointed to Rob McNerney, Tom Kelenic and Dan Derst as being instrumental along the way.

“My recruitment really started the summer going into my sophomore year and then began picking up,” Shapiro reflected. “But a few schools started looking at me even more closely after the Future Games.”

Business is the planned major as of now for Shapiro, who carries a 3.6 GPA with aspirations of being a huge asset to the Kent State program.

“I think I’ll bring the mentality of a winner,” Shapiro said of what he feels he can provide at the next level. “I’ll bring a winning pitcher and a competitive spirit to the program and someone who is good overall with his teammates.”

A college commitment brings solace to Shaprio, who looks forward to his days ahead at Kent State.

“In talking with my dad, we thought the best decision I could make was to go to Kent,” Shapiro concluded. “My dad had a good connection with coach Birkbeck and we knew I’d be comfortable there the next four years.

“I’m just excited to play Division I baseball, to work with coach Birkbeck and to progress at the next level.”