Manning Weighing All His College Options

NATICK, Ma. - Confident with tools to match, Andrew Manning is in no rush to make a college decision.

“I want to take my time with the process and find the right fit for me,” the Boston College High School junior said. “I want to look at all my options and not jump the gun and commit too early.”

The sixth-ranked uncommitted 2023 in New England has received an abundance of college attention during a recruiting process that started two summers ago during quarantine.

“I talked to Boston College and then I went to the Future Games and talked with Michigan, St. John’s and Kent State,” Manning reflected. “I went to the Future Games a second time and that was huge for me.”

Visits to Arizona, Wake Forest and Kentucky have taken place since the PBR event in Georgia for the third-rated junior outfielder in New England, who has also had interest from Rutgers, Maine, VCU and Marist.

“The process has kind of slowed down since the fall began and with school, but my presence jump-started after the Future Games,” Manning related. “I met coaches, played on their fields and went to camps. A lot of the schools saw me at the Future Games where I had a good workout day. I talked to them after the Future Games and they invited me to camps.”

What isn’t to like about the left-handed hitting 6-0 195-pounder, who runs the 60 in 6.6 to go along with 103 exit velocity and 82 outfield velo?

“They like that power-speed combo and they feel that it can play at the next level,” Manning said of what college coaches have said to him.

Hard work has helped make that happen.

“I’ve definitely gotten a lot bigger, stronger, faster,” Manning pointed out. “I’m in at 6:30 every morning before school working on baseball, really working hard on getting faster and quicker hands to the ball.”

That is an area of focus for the 12th-rated 2023 from Massachusetts.

“My swing needs to get quicker, more straight to the ball,” Manning explained. “If I can do that and be stronger, I’ll be more college ready.”

The 17-year-old has no doubt when it comes to what he can provide a program at the next level.

“I trust myself that I can bring energy and some leadership skills,” Manning said. “On the baseball side, I have some power and speed. I want to be a big part of a program and help take it to Omaha and win a national championship.”

The second-ranked uncommitted 2023 outfielder from New England did his part in bringing success to Team Massachusetts at the Future Games, with his squad winning all three contests. His showing there has translated to college interest.

“Most of the schools I’ve talked to have been through PBR,” noted Manning, who also credits Mike Lyon and Dan Sullivan with helping in his development and recruitment. “The 2021 Future Games really helped bring a lot of exposure. My first Future Games I had a couple of buddies there that helped me through it being that they’re in the 2022 class. I didn’t do as well then, but it helped prepare me for the 2021 Future Games. It helped experience-wise and calmed the nerves and I was happy with my performance.”

Where it takes Manning is soon to be determined.

“Right now I’m getting upcoming visits organized and spending time in the cage getting better for the spring,” concluded Manning, a 3.3 student considering business as a potential major in college. “I’m open to anything, I’m talking to mid-majors as well as Power 5. I have two goals … go to Omaha and after that play at the next level. I’m looking for a program where I can do that and also help me develop.”