Uncommitted Hersum Has High Ceiling

Henry Hersum RHP / 1B / Prout School, RI / 2021

SAUNDERSTOWN, R.I. - “I’d say I’m in a good spot right now.”

That is the assessment of Henry Hersum, who has reclassified to 2021 with plans to attend Combine Academy in North Carolina this fall.

“Before the virus, I had no plans for a visit and only a couple schools were talking to me,” reflected the 23rd-rated player in his New England class. “After the virus hit, I’ve face-timed coaches who’ve been showing me their campus. It’s been almost a virtual visit. Mike Perzio of Clubhouse in Connecticut has been helping me with that.”

Interest in the 6-6 220-pound right-handed pitcher has escalated.

“I’m talking with D-I schools from the northeast to the south,” the second-ranked uncommitted 2021 pitcher in New England said. “I’d like to decide before the end of summer. We have a tournament in Florida in a month and I’m hoping to get a commitment done after that.”

The notion of playing at the next level is a recent idea for Hersum.

“I didn’t know what baseball was until the summer going into my junior year,” admitted Hersum, who just completed his fourth year at Prout School. “Baseball was always the sport I enjoyed most, so after my sophomore year I decided no more basketball and wanted to focus on baseball and getting recruited by colleges.

“I’ve always been better at baseball than everybody else and a hard thrower. I knew if I dropped basketball I could use that time to get in the weight room and get stronger, then turn into a prospect for colleges. The summer going into my junior year I got into the weight room four to five days a week training. Now I’m training better and more often. I’m doing something every single day to get better.”

That includes the decision to reclassify.