Matthew Chafin '23 Recruiting Profile

Hi my name is Matt Chafin, and I am a senior at Canton High School in Canton, MA, class of 2023. I am two year captain of the varsity baseball team. I have a 3.86 GPA Unweighted /4.34 GPA Weighted. Last year, I started at third base, but switched to shortstop. I was named to the Hockomock League All Stars as a sophomore. I led the league in hits with 19, and finished third in batting average (0.442), and On Base Percentage (0.538) last season.  This year I started at shortstop and batted (0.343) and (0.436) OBP.

Ever since I was in the third grade I have dreamed of playing college baseball and going to the best college. I have always wanted to be the best version of myself, not for anyone else but for me. I have played many sports growing up and currently play varsity baseball and basketball at Canton high school, as well as club teams for both sports. The reason I chose to focus on baseball is because I love the sport. Not only for what you do on the field, but for what it prepares you for after you step off the field and into the real world. Ever since I was a kid this game has seen me at my worst and at my best. It pushes you down to the ground and even as a kid I questioned why. Why should I get back up? How come this game is revolved around failure? Not many like the sport of baseball mainly because of the fact it is “slow” or it is considered “great, when hitting the ball less than half the time.” The reason is because I love it. Not many see the game the same way as baseball players. Not many people like the idea of failing. For me, there is nothing better than getting back up after a strike out or a bad inning, and finally succeeding and overcoming that obstacle. That is what I have learned through the sport I get to call “mine”. Pushing through even through the worst of times.

I have purposely chosen the most rigorous courses my high school has available. I have been in all honors classes for two years now, and now take three AP classes as a junior. I currently have a GPA of 4.34/4 weighted, and a 3.86/4.0 unweighted. I plan on continuing to challenge myself throughout my time as a high school student and continue in college as well.

My strengths are that I am eager, coachable and aim to be a leader through example. I usually try and view things through different perspectives, especially during the hardest of times. I believe that leading through example is how team players show their character. For many, choosing to follow is more powerful than being told what to do and how to act. In the end, it is important to do things for the right reasons. I have been lucky to learn from great leaders around me, upperclassman at my school who have guided me and show me how they work hard. It is easy to say the right things. Following through with actions showing character and actually doing them is more meaningful in my eyes. This spring, as captain, it will be my turn to be a leader and show the underclassman how to work hard, be respectful, how to handle challenges.

I have played a lot of sports in my life, but baseball has been the most rewarding. It is a sport that puts you down at times and it challenges you both mentally and physically and teaches you lessons for the real world. If you make an error, you have to keep going and be your best on your next play. Baseball continues to shape my character learning from mistakes, and pushing myself to do my best.