Late-Bloomer Mighton Bringing Leadership To Akron

L.A. Mighton C / OF / Kenston, OH / 2024

CHAGRIN FALLS - The desire to play college baseball started at a young age for L.A. Mighton.

“It became my dream when I was six-years-old,” the Kenston senior reflected. “My dad played at Kent and when they made the College World Series in 2012 my dad took me to watch. After that I got a spark and instantly wanted to be there. 

“My dad will tell you I had little interest in practicing before, but after that I had interest to be better. Then around seventh or eighth grade is when I started to worry about the process of recruiting and reaching out to schools.”

There are no worries now after making a commitment to the University of Akron.

“I remember seeing the coaching staff get hired in the middle of the summer and they came and watched our team at the ABC Championships in Indiana,” the eighth-rated 2024 catcher in Ohio related. “I hit well and caught well and the coaches followed me on twitter. We talked on text and after two weeks they called me in and offered.”

After committing, Mighton took a visit to the school.

“The campus was amazing, a lot nicer than I expected,” Mighton said. “The staff was open and welcoming. I thought they were very honest with me. I like their perspective and philosophy. I think it’s a good fit for me, plus they have my major.”

Lake Erie, Ashland, Fordham, Marietta and Washington & Jefferson were other schools the 18-year-old was considering throughout a recruiting process that had its difficulties.

“One thing is very true, I was a late bloomer,” Mighton explained. “I always thought I was talented, but until my sophomore year I didn’t have the strongest arm. I was always shorter, I grew late. Now I’m 6-1 and almost 200 pounds.

“My recruitment was tough at first,” Mighton continued. “I wasn’t getting the looks I wanted. My first PBR event was in the fall of my sophomore year, the Fall Prospect Games. I did well, that was the first time I saw my numbers. What really helped was the State Games last fall. They made a segment on me which was good to see. What also helped was I went to the Top Prospect Games this year. After that, schools reached out to me.”

Improvement played a big role in the 88th-ranked senior in the state getting noticed.

“I had a good sophomore season and a good summer but I wasn’t getting what I wanted so I talked to my dad about what I need to do,” Mighton related. “The goal was D-I so we created a plan to get workouts done. We tracked my calories for a whole year, making sure I fit in baseball as well. I did a bunch of arm care, arm workouts and my arm improved tremendously.”

His father, who played center field in college at Kent State, is credited with being the main influence in becoming the player he is today.

“My dad is my number one fan, my number one coach,” pointed out Mighton, whose first name L.A. stands for Little Arthur, after his father’s first name. “He taught me how to play baseball, how to be a man. My dad is definitely the number one guy.”

There are others that helped as well according to Mighton, who helped Kenston to the Division II state championship in high school this past spring.

“Matt Rosinski with Release Baseball, I don’t think I would have learned about recruiting and taking it seriously without him,” Mighton noted. “Also, Jordan (Chiero, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting) and the rest of PBR helped me a lot. My high school coach Joe Hritz was my JV assistant coach freshman year and then the (varsity) head coach next year. What he did for me and the team, he let us play baseball, he let us be comfortable and let me be a leader. I call all the games. He’s a big supporter of me.”

It has helped Mighton develop into a player that Akron coveted.

“They really like me as a hitter,” Mighton explained. “They said I was athletic behind the plate and they like my leadership behind the plate as well, that I receive and block well. I’ve been catching my whole life. My dad taught me to play every position, but the goal has always been to be a catcher.”

Mission accomplished with a commitment to the Mid-American Conference university a little more than a half hour from home.

“I feel like people will tell you it’s exciting to commit, but for me it was a sigh of relief,” Mighton related. “It takes so much off the shoulders. It was non-stop worrying. Now my goal is to go and start as a freshman. But it felt good to have one lifelong goal become a reality.”

A major in coaching/sport management with the intention to become a baseball coach is the plan for the 3.0 student, who has additional aspirations about his future.

“I’m looking forward to winning games and winning a MAC championship,” Mighton concluded. “The goal is to make it to Omaha. We have a lot of work to do and a lot to improve on but it can be done. I also want to enjoy my last year of high school as well.”