My Background

I started playing this game the same way most kids do - in the backyard, pretending to be my favorite players, throwing the baseball off the shed imagining I was pitching in the Major Leagues! Like so many young kids, I chased that dream through travel baseball, private lessons, showcases, college camps, and countless hours of practice. My parents and I experienced every step of the development process firsthand.

I grew up in Sagamore Hills, OH, went to Nordonia High School, where I earned a baseball scholarship to Indiana University. Following my junior season at IU, I was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 32nd round of the 2008 MLB Draft. I spent the next six years playing professional baseball, climbing through the Rangers organization and reaching as high as Triple-A. Throughout my professional career, I had opportunities to work with young pitchers during the off-season and assist at youth baseball camps.

After my playing career concluded in 2013, I joined the San Diego Padres as a Full-Time Professional Scout — a role I continue to serve in today. For more than 12 years, I've evaluated players throughout professional baseball, learning what separates good players from great ones and gaining a further understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest levels of the game.