Michigan Feels Like Home To Jominy

Kaden Jominy RHP / OF / Mattawan, MI / 2026

KALAMAZOO - It all added up.

His parents went to Michigan. His dad played two years of baseball for the Wolverines. There were season tickets to UM football. 

It helped Kaden Jominy become a Michigan devotee, something that is not about to change after the 48th-ranked freshman right-handed pitcher in the nation committed to the Big 10 university in Ann Arbor.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Michigan,” Jominy related. “I’ve always been a Michigan fan. My heart’s with Michigan.”

When interest from the UM baseball coaches began, the Mattawan High School ninth-grader was more than intrigued.

“I was going to go to a team camp there but I broke my ankle and couldn’t go,” Jominy reflected. “My coach called them and said I couldn’t come, but that I was good. I ended up staying in touch with them after that. We were going to play a game they were going to see but it was rained out so they came up and watched a bullpen.”

The showing by the third-rated freshman RHP in Michigan was enough to receive an offer.

“They liked what they saw in the bullpen,” Jominy explained. “The pitchability was there and they could see that I was projectable. They offered and I took it that night. I’d told my family the only way I was going to commit before my junior year was if Michigan offered.”

The 16-year-old was impressed with the idea of becoming a Wolverine.

“I love all the coaches, (head) coach (Tracy) Smith, coach (Brock) Huntzinger, coach (Ben) Greenspan,” Jominy noted. “I trust what they’re building there. I see the vision there. It’s close to home and I’ve always gone to Ann Arbor. They have great academics, Michigan is second to none. I want life after baseball, that’s the biggest thing.”

There was help along the way in getting an offer from Michigan, as well as Indiana, Arizona and Northwestern.

“I didn’t get a ton of exposure until summer of last year,” Jominy said. “The Future Games was big, I got calls with Indiana and West Virginia set up from there. PBR Nationals was also a big help. I played up an age and schools like Alabama and Tennessee were there. Once one school came a lot more followed. 

“I was nervous on my first calls, but I loosened up as my recruitment went on. It was easier to talk to schools. That was the best thing from the PBR exposure. They definitely have done a lot for me, Aaron Wilson and Adam Goodwin. Overall the recruiting process was good to me. I like the way it went and wouldn’t have wanted it to go any other way.”

There was additional help in finding a future home at Michigan.

“They heard so many good things from coach Scott (Leonard) with my travel ball Hit Dogs,” Jominy said. “It’s a blessing to have him to promote me and my teammates.”

A strong performance at the PBR Procase was also beneficial.

“That was awesome,” the 238th-ranked 2026 in the country explained. “I met some Michigan commits and talked to them. There were a lot of big names there and it was great to meet all the guys. I worked out with Ty Tomlinson (Portage Northern commit to Michigan) and I’m excited to play together with him in the future.”

It helped solidify the decision to make a commitment at this stage of his freshman year of high school.

“The new rule played a little part of it, but they weren’t pressing me to commit,” Jomny explained. “I felt the pressure a little, but I know Michigan is 100 percent where I want to be. It felt right to make the decision. They say ‘when you know, you'll know.’ It just felt like the right decision for me.”

Recent improvement paved the way in gaining college interest for the 5-11, 160-pounder.

“I’ve always thrown hard, but the last two years my control has gotten so much better,” Jominy related. “I’ve added a cutter to my arsenal and that’s my favorite pitch. That and my control are the biggest things. I’ve trained with Dave Clark, my pitching coach since I was 10, and my dad has always pushed me to be the best I can be. He always said school before sports, that’s a big thing for me.”

A 4.0 student at Mattawan planning a business major in college, the fourth-rated freshman in the state is thrilled to call Michigan home.

“We’re all super excited about it,” Jominy said. “My dad knew I wanted to go to Michigan but he wanted me to keep an open heart and open mind. When we sat down and I told them I was going to Michigan they were super proud. For my family it’s the best decision, the best possible outcome I could have. I can’t wait to be a Wolverine.”

It is something that Jominy is looking forward to.

“I feel living the baseball life is something I always wanted to do,” Jominy concluded. “I’ll be getting a good education close to home and I’m super excited for it. I definitely think Michigan is the best place for me and I’m ready to get working.”