Michigan Has Everything Willi Desires

WESTON, Ma. - On the wall by his bedroom door, Marc Willi has a list of potential colleges he would like to attend to play baseball.

“I put it up after 12U, going into 13U baseball,” Willi reflected. “I’m a big fan of college baseball and the list has been up for a few years. I wrote down 10 to 15 colleges I wanted to go to. I pound it with a fist bump to drive me every day.”

On that list is Michigan … the future home of the Noble & Greenough junior.

“My dream has always been to play college baseball and Michigan is definitely on that list,” Willi related. “It’s cool to see your dreams line up to reality. I’m speechless going to Michigan.”

Interest from the Big10 power heated up over the past two months.

“I sent them a letter last summer and then got their attention at several recent events,” the seventh-ranked 2022 in New England said. “At the Top Prospect Games I had the top (exit) velo and then the Future Games helped show what I can do. We talked after that and did a virtual tour. I was in awe. I had a call with the head coach a couple days after.”

North Carolina, Wake Forest, Oregon, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Tulane, Columbia and UConn were other colleges the left-handed hitting Willi considered during his recruitment.

“I talked to a lot of great schools,” noted Willi, who hit eight of 15 BP balls for home runs at the Future Games and followed that up by going 4-for-4 in game action with a three-run HR, two doubles, a single, a sacrifice fly, two walks and a HBP. “Most showed me a virtual tour of their facilities, I wasn’t able to go on a visit. With Michigan, I really liked the winning culture. You come to Michigan and expect to win. You work hard and compete. Getting to the World Series (in 2019) just made them hungry. They want a championship trophy. That makes me want to get better.

“It’s also the number one academic school in addition to being one of the top baseball programs in the country,” Willi added. “My goal is to play baseball at the highest level and the coches think I can make an immediate impact when I step on campus.”

Willi has made an impact whenever he has stepped on a ball diamond while drawing up.

“At the end of eighth grade I started getting a bunch of interest with my athleticism and how big I am,” the 6-4 230-pounder pointed out. “Now I’m much better than I was before and can get even better.”

It was Willi dreaming about the future.

“Obviously MLB is the ultimate dream but college is a great step forward,” Willi said. “I can’t wait to go to Ann Arbor. I think we have a great chance to get to Omaha and win it.”

The coaching staff at Michigan believes the top-rated first baseman in the state can be a major contributor.

“They like my powerful bat, that I’m athletic and dedicated to first base and bring a positive energy,” Willi noted. “I’ve always been big and tall and I think they saw that projectability. We also share the same values. I’m a team player that’s fueled by competition. I was drawn to their player development.”

Making improvements has been a big part of what 2020 has been about for Willi.

“The pandemic really had an affect on my recruiting process,” explained Willi, who has been starting on the high school varsity team at Noble & Greenough since eighth grade. “Video has been very, very crucial.

“During covid I focused on getting stronger and faster. My trainer gave me what to do and I’ve gotten a lot better during covid. I treated it as my second offseason.”

The drive to continue getting better remains.

“I’m always trying to make my swing the best I can,” Willi related about his thoughts on improving in the future. “I’m working on my athleticism and, overall, just being a better athlete and perfecting my craft.”

Family and coaches have been the biggest influences in his life.

“My mom, dad and little brother have been by my side and I couldn’t have done this without them,” Willi said. “Also, my high school and summer coaches have been a big part of developing me into the player I am today.”

It has Willi ready to step foot on the Ann Arbor campus and make an impact in the baseball program.

“I’ll bring a positive attitude and a competitive winning attitude,” Willi said. “I love to compete and I love to win. I’m going to bring a big bat to the lineup and on off days my work ethic will make everyone around me better.”