Waterman Sees Bright Future Going To Holy Cross

Fletcher Waterman C / Deerfield Academy, MA / 2024

WENHAM, Ma. - Life after baseball was a big consideration by Fletcher Waterman when it came to a college decision.

“You have to think of the next 40 years, not just the next four,” the Deerfield Academy senior explained.

That thought process was a big reason that Waterman selected Holy Cross as his college of choice.

“Academics has been big my whole life and Holy Cross is big with academics,” Waterman related. “Their baseball facilities are great and they have one of the nicest fields in the Patriot League. Playing under the lights there will bring a lot of memories. But the biggest thing is academically, I’ll have connections for life.”

It was late last year when the seventh-ranked 2024 catcher in New England and Holy Cross connected.

“Fall ball is what got me on their radar,” Waterman reflected. “They saw me at a couple of games and that got my recruitment going. They saw me a little more during the spring season and they had me on a visit at the end of May and offered. Two months later I accepted.

“I really liked Holy Cross, but it was early in the summer and I wanted to see what else was out there,” added Waterman, whose other main interest was with Yale and Dartmouth. “I didn’t want to rush into things, I had time. I didn’t feel rushed to make a decision.”

His ability behind the plate was a major selling point that attracted Holy Cross.

“They were talking about the catchers they have and it’s more about offensive guys, not blocking, throwing guys out or framing pitches,” Waterman said. “The game they were at I threw three out in the first inning and had a couple good blocks. They’re looking for guys that stand out offensively and defensively.”

Recent improvement has the fourth-ranked senior catcher in Massachusetts confident about contributing in every aspect of the game.

“The biggest difference has been weight,” the 6-3 Waterman explained. “I was 185-190 last summer and I’m up to 205 now, throwing the ball harder to second and my barrels are harder. Just getting in the weight room and eating the right food, I’m bigger and stronger. I had the skill set, but more weight has put me to the next level.”

It also helped the recruiting process heat up.

“It was a waiting game,” Waterman said of his recruitment. “You’re not sure when you’re going to get recruited and by who.”

But Waterman had help along the way, including coaches Rich Gilbride and Derek January, who reached out to schools “playing a crucial part in my recruiting process” as well as getting exposure through Prep Baseball Report.

“PBR put on some amazing events,” Waterman pointed out. “The Future Games last year was a blast. It put me on the radar of schools. It puts you on the map playing with and against the best uncommitted players in the country.”

Playing at the next level has always been realistic in the eyes of the 24th-rated 2024 in New England.

“Baseball was something I always loved, and so was hockey, but I knew doing both was going to be hard,” Waterman noted. “Freshman/sophomore year is when I started to focus on baseball. I got hurt and missed a whole season but came back and had a good summer. By my second year as a junior I knew.”

It has the 18-year-old ready to make an impact at the Patriot League university located an hour from home.

“I’d love to start my freshman year,” Waterman said. “My goals are high. They won the Patriot League in 2017 and a realistic goal is to win a couple while I’m there. My goal is to compete and help the team win.”

Making a commitment to a university like Holy Cross is a blessing according to the 3.95 student at Deerfield Academy.

“It’s a weight off the shoulders,” Waterman said. “All summer you’re playing in front of scouts worrying about striking out or blocking balls. After that, I’ve been able to have fun and not worry how I’m playing.”

It brings high anticipation about the days ahead playing baseball at the Division I school in Worcester, Ma.

“I’m looking forward to road trips, I heard they’re huge,” Waterman concluded. “This spring they’re going to Hawaii for a couple of weeks. That’s when you make the biggest bonds. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”