Walsh Looks Forward To Creating A Culture At Eastern

Connor Walsh SS / 3B / Mattawan, MI / 2024

MATTAWAN - Connor Walsh knew his time would eventually come.

“There was a lot of coaching turnover going on so I was just trying to be patient,” Walsh said.

Then Eastern Michigan and recently hired head coach Robbie Britt entered the picture.

“Coach Britt got hired super late in the process,” explained the Mattawan High School senior. “Initially, twitter helped me be seen by coach Britt and after that we connected. He saw me play in Ohio and at the Top Prospect Games at Eastern Michigan.”

A visit took place on July 20.

“He showed me around campus and talked about what he wanted to do,” Walsh reflected. “He had a great view of the program. He’s a great coach that I’d want to play for and at the end of the visit offered. I committed a few days later.”

Findlay, Butler, Western Michigan and a number of GLIAC schools had interest in the 11th-rated 2024 shortstop in the state, but it was EMU that rose to the top.

“It’s the level of baseball I want to play at where I have a chance to play early if I work hard,” Walsh noted. “He’s a winner, he won at Charleston, and I like his view of the program.”

Britt and company found Walsh a nice fit for the Mid-American Conference school.

“He likes my competitiveness,” Walsh related. “He basically said I’m a great student which helped me a lot. He said he recruits shortstops and then puts them where he needs them. With my body, I can fill my frame out.”

The 6-3 175-pounder has made a lot of strides to get to the point of being a Division I commit.

“It was all about getting stronger and bigger,” Walsh explained. “Part of my recruiting process was that a lot of schools wanted me to get bigger and heavier.”

Improvement has come with more size.

“I took a step with my speed,” Walsh said. “I stole more bases this summer than I usually do. I’m also playing smarter.”

It proved beneficial in a recruiting process that began last summer.

“I started talking to schools after a prospect camp, then it picked up a lot this summer,” Walsh reflected. “I was being patient waiting for the portal to open, but it was stressful. Colleges would talk to me and then it fell off the table. I just had to be patient, that’s when coach Britt gave me the opportunity.”

PBR was also helpful in completing the journey to play college baseball.

“Coach (Adam) Goodwin has been good for me,” Walsh said of the PBR Michigan Scouting Director. “He mentioned the Top Prospect Games to me and recommended I do it and Eastern saw me there. All the guys at PBR were super helpful with everything like getting my numbers updated.”

Walsh also gave credit to travel coach Matt Sheets.

“He took me in three or four years ago and made me into a true shortstop,” the 65th-ranked 2024 in Michigan related. “He’s been awesome. He set me up with some of these schools and has just been great for me.”

It added up to a college commitment, something that the 17-year-old has been thinking about for some time.

“Since maybe T-Ball, college baseball has been one of my number one goals,” Walsh explained. “To fulfill a childhood dream, it’s been worth all the hard work.”

Walsh is confident he can be a huge asset to the program in Ypsilanti, two hours straight east from his home in Mattawan.

“I’m a guy that will be a competitor right away helping to establish a culture that can really be something,” Walsh said. “I think coach Britt can really make something out of the program. Hopefully, we can compete early on and be a Power 5 level type program.”

Walsh, who carries a 4.2 weighted GPA and plans to major in business in college, is ecstatic to have found a future home.

“This is a childhood dream come true,” Walsh said. “My family is super excited about this. It’s relieving to commit and take some of the pressure off.”

As for what lies ahead, Walsh can hardly wait.

“Being part of a program like this is a super unique opportunity,” Walsh concluded. “I’m so grateful for it. I hope I can help create a culture that will be there for a long time after me.”