SPRING, TX - Throwing hard has never been a problem for Justin Barnes.

“”It’s God’s gift,” said Barnes, who first hit 90 on the radar gun the summer of 2017. “I was just born with an arm.”

Now the senior-to-be at Klein Oak has a place to use that gift in the future after making a commitment to Louisiana-Lafayette.

“I went on a visit there and everybody was walking me around,” explained the 45th-ranked player in the 2019 class in Texas. “It wasn’t just one coach, they all were invested in me.”

Interest in the 6-1 185-pounder became heavy while playing on his summer team, Hunter Pence Baseball Academy.

“They saw a fire in me when I was on the mound,” noted Barnes, who also was considering Dallas Baptist. “They said I had a bulldog attitude.”

The right-handed hurler now plans to take that approach on the hill three hours from home.

“Pitching is a big thing there,” Barnes said of Lafayette. “They color the plate different colors when you’re learning their program and tell you where to hit in certain pitching situations.”

College fascination in Barnes first materialized after attending a PBR event at Alvin Community College.

“My numbers were really good there,” Barnes explained. “Right after that colleges started talking to my coach more. Once my numbers were up, colleges became interested.”

Then the velo hit 90 … and beyond.

“I started working out more,” Barnes said of his improvement. “Once I focused on my arm and pitching my velo shot up a lot.”

Aaron Cunningham, a coach with Hunter Pence in the summer, is given much of the credit from Barnes.

“He’s been my coach since I was nine,” Barnes said. “He always told me I had an above-average arm and can go far with it. He gave me a bunch of confidence and built me up to everything I am now. I wouldn’t have gotten to Lafayette without my coaches and HP (Hunter Pence Academy).”

It is something the 20th-rated 2019 right-handed pitcher in the state has had a drive to do for a long time.

“I’ve dreamed of playing in college since I was a little kid,” Barnes explained. “To get to do it at their stadium ... it’s so huge. I can’t imagine throwing in it.”

Before then, Barnes has more to accomplish in high school.

“I want to gain command of all my pitches,” Barnes noted. “I want to be confident throwing all of them in different counts. It’s about having confidence on the mound.”

A four-pitch mix helps bring Barnes faith when pitching.

“I’ve really found my split-finger change recently,” Barnes said. “It keeps hitters off-balanced. They’re out in front after I throw my fastball.”

A slider and curve are other pitches in a repertoire that Barnes.hopes is enough to make an early impact once arriving at college.

“They told me they want me throwing as a freshman,” Barnes explained. “That’s one of the big things that stuck out. I don’t have to wait until the end of my sophomore year to get a chance to contribute.”

What role Barnes will have is to be determined.

“I’ve been starting games this summer but it’s fun coming in and closing things down like I did in high school,” Barnes said. “That’s something I’ve always done.”

That God-given arm is a big reason why Barnes has been able to excel on the mound, but improvement is still part of the equation.

“I plan to work out and get better before then,” Barnes said about what lies ahead between now and putting on a Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns’ uniform. “I’ve touched 93, but my goal is to hit 95 before I get there.”

 

 

 

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