'Lockdown Center Fielder' Epps Drawing Raves About Defense

WEST BLOOMFIELD - Anyone that saw Team Michigan at the Future Games remembers the grab by center fielder Adrian Epps well.

“He made the play of the Future Games this summer running down a ball crushed over 300 feet to make a catch over the shoulder saving an extra base hit and runs,” reflected his coach at the event, Aaron Wilson.

Colleges have since expressed their admiration about his defensive ability.

“Central Michigan saw me there and said they like the way I track balls in the outfield,” Epps related. “North Alabama said the same thing.”

A free safety in football, the 5-9 170-pounder sees a similarity with his position on the gridiron and center field.

“It’s the same, go get the ball when it’s in the air,” Epps said.

The ninth-rated 2023 outfielder in Michigan is hoping his defensive prowess helps bring more interest from college coaches.

“I hadn’t talked to anyone before the Future Games,” Epps pointed out. “Now coaches have started to come out to see me and I feel the Future Games got it started. Playing for my new travel team helped me out, too.”

The West Bloomfield junior understands where improvement is needed.

“Coaches want to see me be more consistent with hitting it farther and harder,” Epps explained. “They like the way I field, there are just the other concerns when it comes to the high conference schools.

“Hearing that, I’m taking it more seriously. I’m hitting the weight room harder, I’m training with Aaron Wilson once a week and with my travel team three times a week. I’m working on different mechanics at the plate to be able to do more damage rather than just make contact.”

Called “a lockdown center fielder” by Wilson, the PBR Michigan Director of Scouting believes Epps can provide more than just defense at the next level.

“He’s a top-of-the-order hitter that has a line-drive approach,” Wilson said. “He’s a hard worker and a two-sport athlete playing defensive back for one of the better football programs in the state. He will be a catch for the program that snags him.”

The fourth-ranked uncommitted outfielder in Michigan has confidence when it comes to what he can provide a college program.

“I like to feel I’m one of the best fielding players in the state,” Epps said. “Not to sound cocky, but the way that I cover ground in the outfield with the speed factor, I can go get balls that others can’t. If it’s in the park, I’m going to track it eventually. I can also do damage on the bases making pitchers worry about me.”

There is more the recently turned 17-year-old believes he can bring.

“I’m a hard worker that’s always trying to get better,” Epps noted. “If I’m on a hot streak I keep working. It’s baseball, you can never stop working to get better.”

A 3.5 student undecided about a college major, Epps looks forward to what lies ahead in the upcoming months.

“My high school team hasn’t won the conference in awhile so I want to do that and, hopefully, go for state,” Epps said. “My high school coach, Josh Birnberg, is actually my travel coach and I'm hoping he can help me keep improving so when we go to Lake Point and Alabama in the summer I can get some notice there.”

As for a time frame to make a commitment, Epps is being patient.

“The latest I’d like to decide is this time next year, maybe December or January,” Epps concluded. “But I’d like to do it by the start or at least the end of football season.”