Josh McCoy signs NLI to compete at Eastern Michigan

Signing day–the day that all high school student-athletes dream of. It is a day where family and friends gather to celebrate all the hard work, time and effort that these student-athletes give day in and day out. One Milford Senior who was able to experience this dream is baseball player Josh McCoy. Standing at 6-feet-8-inches tall, McCoy is a right-handed pitcher who has been playing baseball since he was able to walk. He first started playing at the age of five in the Huron Valley Baseball and Softball League (HVBSL) and fell in love with the game. “I was good at it,” says McCoy when asked about what made him fall in love with baseball. “All other sports were boring to me. Playing baseball with my friends really made me fall in love with it. Along with the relationships you build.” His friend and teammate Logan McLaughlin, was right with him to watch him grow both as a player and as a teammate. “Ever since the first time playing with Josh from around ten years to now, I’ve always known he’d be destined for greatness,” McLaughlin said. “He’s always been taller than everyone our age and it showed on the field where he was a standout player in all the games we played together.” After a few years, McCoy decided to move on from house ball and join the Huron Valley Patriots. He later realized that he was passionate about the sport and decided to take his talents to another level and join a new team, Hawks Gold. Hawks is a travel baseball program out of Howell, ranging age groups from 8u to 18u. They tend to play in the Kensington Valley Baseball and Softball Association (KVBSA) while other teams join larger tournaments for more competition. “Joining Hawks made my work ethic go up, made me work harder,” said McCoy.

While playing with Hawks Gold, McCoy continued to fall in love with the game each and every day. He then realized that he wanted to continue farther with it. He wanted to receive a college scholarship.

McCoy then joined the Arsenal Angels, meeting up with Notre Dame outfield commit Ryan Mooney and Michigan State second base commit Ryan McKay. “It was fun. He’s not the biggest kid, but he does what he needs to do. He definitely influenced me to get better,” said McCoy on playing with McKay. McCoy was able to fill in with the 17u Red-Seam Raiders squad down in Marion, Iowa. He was awarded a spot on the all-tournament team from his performance against the Pro Player Canes 22’s. He was able to throw six innings, have six strikeouts and one walk as well as having his fastball sit 85-87 miles per hour. After his strong outing, this made him more intrigued in the process and commitment it takes to get to the Division-I level. He accepted the challenge head-on.

On Aug. 9, McCoy announced his commitment to continue his athletic and academic career at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). “It was relieving,” said McCoy. “It was nice to know my hard work was paying off and I was able to reach my goal of playing D1.” He continued to play summer ball with the Angels, now being able to add “Eastern Michigan Commit” to his resume. This wasn’t the end for his training, however, as he continued to work hard to ensure that he would be able to stay committed. McCoy attends Primetime Velocity Training (PTV) which has helped him increase his fastball velocity nearly 15 miles per hour. Prior to PTV, he was topping out between 75 and 78 miles per hour while having his curveball in the low 60s range as a Sophomore. As a rising Senior, according to Perfect Game, he topped out at 88 miles per hour while averaging 84-88 and having his curveball sit 72-76 when he travelled down to Georgia in July of 2021. He credits his trainers for his success. “My trainers at PTV, I couldn’t have done it without them. Also A.J. Achter, who was the former Eastern pitching coach, for helping recruit me.” Not only were his trainers important to his success, but his family too. “My family is a huge part of where I am today. They drove me everywhere, my mommy ran my Twitter to get me looks, they are important for sure.”                    

Finally, the time came to make it official. On Nov. 10, he signed his National Letter of Intent (NLI) on MHS school grounds in front of his friends and family. He was now all in. “It was refreshing, all the pressure was off,” said McCoy on his feelings when he signed his letter. “I don’t need to worry about college and I can start focusing on potentially getting drafted.” Unlike football and basketball, baseball players are able to be drafted out of high school and can start their professional career at only the age of 18. When signing, he was accompanied by his mom and dad, his siblings, and his friends. He had to have some style when it came to his big day. McCoy has more than enough recommendations on what to wear when the time comes for you. “You have to have the ankles show with your pants, that’s a must. Glasses for sure. Loafers with no laces is definitely the move too. Lastly a polo with the school of choice on it and most importantly, no show socks.” The Milford community and high school are very proud of McCoy and can’t wait to see where his career takes him. We wish him nothing but the best as he is only months away from his Senior baseball season.