Most freshmen are still adjusting to the speed and pressure of high school athletics. But for freshman pitcher Evan Goodwin, the transition has been anything but ordinary. Already competing against some of the top young players in the country, Goodwin is quickly building a reputation as one of the most promising baseball players in the state.
“I started taking baseball seriously at about the age of 10,” he said. “That’s when I started playing travel baseball, so I took it pretty seriously when I started.”
Since then, he has continued to push himself through constant practice and competition, hoping to eventually play at the Division I level.
For Goodwin, competing against stronger opponents has only motivated him to improve. “I would say playing the top kids in the nation are my biggest challenges,” he said. “When you go down south, the southern states play year-round and the kids down there are way bigger, stronger, faster, and just better, so being able to adapt to that is pretty challenging.”
Despite being just a freshman, Goodwin has already set high goals for himself this season. “A goal I have is to bat .300 or more as a freshman on varsity,” he said. “I also plan to pitch my ERA lower than four.”
His work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed by teammates. According to teammate and brother Trevor Goodwin, Evan’s dedication to improving is one of the things that sets him apart.Trevor explained that Evan is constantly practicing and looking for ways to get better, whether it’s training on his own or working with teammates and coaches.
Coach Joseph Traina also sees strong potential in the young athlete. “The first thing that stood out is that he passed the eye test,” Traina said. “He’s got a good frame and good shoulders. He plays close to 100 games every summer, and that experience really helps his development.”
Traina added that Goodwin has already shown improvement in several areas of his game. “He’s improved the most in pitching and hitting,” he said. “You can tell he’s taking lessons and applying what he learns.”
Beyond his skill on the field, Goodwin’s character has also stood out to those around him. “He fits in well with everybody,” Traina said. “He has a positive attitude and works hard.”
With continued development and dedication, Goodwin has the potential to become a major contributor to his team in the coming years. And while he may only be at the beginning of his high school career, his goals and work ethic suggest this freshman is only getting started.
‘I think he’s gonna get his name out to colleges way sooner than later.” Coach Traina said, “I think his potential is simply just making a name for himself, and how once he gets it out there everyone is gonna realize how special he is.”
