This Coast baseball star committed to a C-USA school and has an eye on the MLB Draft

A talented senior class for the St. Martin baseball program recently produced its first Division I commitment.

Senior shortstop/pitcher Leo Harris verbally committed to UAB last week, choosing the Blazers over New Orleans, Jackson State, Southern University and Alabama State.

The Blazers offered Harris a couple of months ago.

“Whenever they said they wanted to offer me, I was extremely excited,” Harris said. “I didn’t make the move immediately because I wanted to hear what the coaches had to say and I wanted to go on visits.”

When he stepped on the Birmingham campus, Harris felt comfortable.

“I really enjoyed talking to all of their coaches,” he said. “(Coach Brian Shoop and recruiting coordinator Perry Roth), both of those guys are great people. I also had a chance to sit down and talk with one of their players. It made me feel like it was a place where I fit.”

The right-handed Harris was 4-2 with 48 strikeouts in 45 2/2 innings last season. At the plate, he hit .236 with 22 runs scored and nine stolen bases.

While the 2018 campaign proved to be a breakout season on the mound for Harris, the 6-foot-3, 170-pound senior expects to play shortstop at UAB.

“That’s where I played all my life and that’s where I enjoy playing the most,” he said.

St. Martin coach Kary Bridges believes UAB is getting a player who has his best baseball ahead of him.

“He’s a huge tools guy. He’s got great upside,” Bridges said. “He’s increased his tools in the two years I’ve been here. Each year, he’s gotten faster. He’s got real potential and he’s got power potential with his body type. He’s really improved defensively in the last two years. He’s had a good summer and a lot of these schools see a tremendous upside.”

Harris plans to put in the work to fulfill that great potential.

“I’m really working on everything, mainly hitting-wise,” he said. “I want to get stronger, hit the ball a little more. As far as fielding, I’m working on my footwork.”

Harris credits his father and a pair of personal instructors, Travis Coleman and Matt Paul, for helping push him to this point.

“I’ve improved on a lot of things from a fielding standpoint and a hitting standpoint,” Harris said. “I’ve worked with (Coleman and Paul) during the summer and they’ve helped me tremendously to the point that I could possibly even become a draft pick.”

With his commitment out of the way, Harris plans to fully focus on his senior campaign with the Yellow Jackets.

“UAB is the best spot for me,” he said. “I’m just focused on this upcoming season.”

Harris is part of a St. Martin senior class that features plenty of Division I potential. Catcher R.J. Fletcher, third baseman Brennen Study and pitcher/infielder Leif Moore should be among the best players on the Coast this season. Fletcher has committed to East Central Community College and Moore has pledged to Pearl River CC.

“I think we can be really good,” Harris said. “We’ll work hard in the weight room. I think we’ll be successful this year.”

This story was originally published August 23, 2018 at 2:18 PM.