Jack Herman has recorded zero outs, zero hits, zero wins and zero games played for the Eastern High School baseball team.
None of that stopped the University of Maryland from offering Herman an opportunity to play Division I baseball when he graduates.
In 2018.
Herman, only a freshman at Eastern, has made a verbal commitment to the University of Maryland on a baseball scholarship.
“I was ecstatic. When they saw me at a showcase in Florida, I was told the process would take longer,” Herman said about the early offer.
The coaches from Maryland saw Herman play at a number of showcases and at a facility in Philadelphia. Herman said he has known for years the Terps would be his top choice.
“I visited four years ago, and since then the school just fit me,” Herman said.
The Maryland coaches spent time detailing the benefits of the school and he felt comfortable.
“The coaches are like your second parents and stay on top of you,” Herman said.
Eastern has won two consecutive Group IV titles and Herman said he was “very excited” to represent his town and the school but mostly for the opportunity to add to the team’s championship success.
“I remember Jack as a young kid coming to Eastern games and attending my baseball camps. His dad and I joked years ago that he was going to be just like his brother Kris,” Eastern head coach Rob Christ said. Kris played shortstop for Eastern during Christ’s first two years as Eastern coach. “I have been thrilled watching him develop into a fine player and tremendous young man just like his brother. Obviously, getting a scholarship offer from an ACC school as a freshman is heady stuff. I am excited to continue the strong relationship we have built during my tenure at Eastern.”
A right-handed hitter, Herman wanted to go to Eastern since his brother was one of the leaders of the first Eastern baseball team to go to a sectional final.
“Eastern has been successful since my brother played here. Coach Christ teaches life lessons and how to conduct yourself. I talked with players who play for other schools who said that at Eastern we get a high baseball IQ,” Herman said.
Christ said scouts like Herman’s plus speed and potential for developing into a five-tool player. As a player for the Vikings, he projects as a centerfielder or middle infielder in addition to helping on the mound. Herman is the first player in Christ’s two decades of coaching baseball that has received a scholarship offer as a freshman.
