Rhys De Highden '22 Recruiting Profile

I am a 20-year-old Australian student athlete  who is team orientated, extremely passionate with a thirst for learning and improving my knowledge and skills as an athlete and academically. I have an ambition to pursue a physiotherapy degree and together with my baseball experiences I have aspirations to work at the highest level to assist others to achieve their athletic goals. It is for this reason that I relocated to the USA in June 2018 to undertake a Summer ball program in Washington and pursue the opportunity to combine academic and athletic development.

 I am a catcher and outfielder who has recently graduated as a Sophomore from Pierce College, Washington with an Associates in Arts, Direct Transfer with Honours (GPA 3.83). I completed Secondary School in at Marcellin College in Melbourne, Australia in December 2018 with a converted GPA of 3.59, receiving numerous academic awards throughout my secondary schooling.

 I am 5’11”, 195 lb catcher with a consistent 1.90 pop-time and a 6.5 - 60-yard dash. In Australia as a 16-year-old I was selected to become a member of the Australian Major League Baseball Academy program. I have strong leadership and teamwork skills as evidenced from my representative selections for my State (Victoria), competing five times at a National level. This culminated in being selected as team captain and named to the All Australian team at the School Championships in my final year. I have played Senior Men’s Premier league in Melbourne since I was 14 and if I am not behind the plate catching, I regularly play outfield to contribute to the team.

 Whilst COVID-19 has placed significant restrictions on my ability to commit to a school as an incoming Junior, my commitment to excel in all my endeavours and give 100% to every opportunity has never wavered. I am well organised, a strong communicator with a strong desire to learn and develop as a player and person.

Pierce College Head Coach and Student Advisor Kevin Davis will attest to my attributes and character and can be contacted via email at [email protected] or cell (253) 964-6459. 

I would be enormously proud to be a member of a College program that can provide an opportunity for me to continue to develop my academics and baseball. I  would appreciate your consideration and selection to your program and believe I can make a valuable contribution both on and off the field.