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By Dave Sontag and PBR Staff
PBR Michigan Scout/Writer

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Michigan Insider: Mike Maher - Humble, Talented and Patient

South Lyon High School senior Mike Maher stands in a league of his own as far as Prep Baseball Report is concerned.

Maher is the only current player in the top 30 ranked players by PBR Michigan who has not made a commitment to the college level.

The humble athlete is in no hurry to make that announcement.

“I have not made a decision yet,” Maher said. “Be patient is the card that I am playing. I do become anxious sometimes, but I am staying patient.”

Maher said he’s received interest as well as offers from Division 1 and 2 programs. 

South Lyon coach Bill Heidt said that Oakland has offered Maher.

“He’s a real hard worker, a natural leader,” Heidt said. “He is very encouraging for the other players, and he goes about it in the right way.”

Last season, Maher caught every game for South Lyon except for one. He has been on the varsity for every game of his high school baseball career. As a sophomore, Maher caught and played third base.

“I like to think of myself as an all-around player,” Maher said.

The strong right-handed hitter has been timed by PBR in the 60 at 6.62. He blasted four home runs in 2016 with eight doubles and three triples while hitting .300. Most impressively was that Maher did not make an error behind the plate.

“He has an absolute cannon for an arm,” Heidt said. “He also takes command of the field with his vocal leadership.”

At PBR showcase events, Maher has been clocked at 1.94-2.09 with his POP time.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound backstop could find his time behind the plate curtailed this season.

“He hurt his knees catching so much,” Heidt said. “I will try not to catch him the second game of the double headers this season.”

Heidt said that Maher will spend some time at third base or at shortstop when he does not catch. With his speed, he may even find some time patrolling the outfield.

Maher said that he has spent a lot of time in the weight room ever since his freshman year.

“My speed has increased each year because I am working out all of the time,” Maher said.

Maher also used his athleticism on the football field. He was a 1st-team all-conference safety. South Lyon ended its season with a 6-5 mark as it lost a 31-30 heartbreaker to Walled Lake Western in the MHSAA football playoffs.

Aaron Wilson, Arsenal Baseball head coach, has earned the praise of Maher with his baseball growth.

“Aaron really was the first coach who pushed me outside of my comfort zone,” Maher said. “He gave me the first taste of playing outside of the house leagues.”

While Wilson has made the most recent baseball impact in Maher’s career, it is his mom who initially planted the passion for the game. He is the son of Julie and Pat Maher.

“My mom was always playing baseball with me as a kid,” Maher said. “She really is the biggest influence on my baseball career. She always pushed me as we played baseball in the front yard.”

When he was young, Maher would go to his mom’s softball games.

“She played a lot,” Maher said. “She even said that she played with the boys when she was younger.”

“In fact, one summer she hit 1.000 – but I don’t believe her,” Maher said with a laugh.

Mike Maher is in no hurry to make his college decision. The talented athlete will enjoy his upcoming final season with South Lyon.

Using patience as his mantra, Maher will make that college choice when the time is right for him – and maybe with a little push from his baseball-influencing mom.

Video of Mike Maher: