Johnston Makes Quick Impression On Seton Hall

Ryan Johnston SS / OF / Trumbull , CT / 2025

TRUMBULL, Ct. - It did not take the coaches at Seton Hall long to see that Ryan Johnston was a good fit.

Watching three games in a two-day period was followed by an offer and the Trumbull High School junior committed a day later.

“I loved the coach the second I talked to him,” Johnston said of assistant Giuseppe Papaccio. “He was very enthusiastic about me.”

There was more that stood out for the 33rd-rated 2025 shortstop in New England, who also had interest from St. John’s and Rhode Island.

“The campus is nice, I love the spot it’s in,” Johnston noted. “I really liked the feeling I got when I stepped on it.”

The desire to play at the next level has been around for some time.

“It’s always been something I wanted to do,” Johnston related. “It’s been a dream to play college baseball, especially Division I. Last summer in talking to my travel coach I knew it was getting serious. It’s something I’m really looking forward to.”

While his recruitment with Seton Hall went quickly, the recruiting process overall was a long one.

“I did my first PBR in eighth grade winter/spring,” the 57th-ranked junior in Connecticut reflected. “It was very stressful. I was pretty young at the first showcase but it was time. The next few years I did a few more. I did one at Mitchell College and did well. PBR was really big for me. It gave me relief that I had someone else helping me get recruited.”

There was additional assistance for the 11th-ranked 2025 shortstop in Connecticut, who was recruited as both an infielder and outfielder by Seton Hall.

“I played with CT Grind at 13, that was a big jump for me working with those coaches and teammates,” Johnston said. “It was great having fun while working and getting support for me every single day. I felt there was always a coach there wanting to see me succeed. Once in-game, I was always prepared.”

Michael Morris, the head of CT Grind Baseball, along with Garrett Walker, player development with CT Grind, were singled out by Johnston, along with his parents, for “supporting and teaching me to get through the recruiting process” in helping make an impression on Seton Hall.

“They like my ability to do multiple things,” the 6-1 175-pounder pointed out. “My play in the field, my speed and quality ABs. They liked my passion for the game and how I competed on and off the field.”

All are attributes the 162nd-ranked junior in New England believes he can bring to the Big East Conference program.

“I went to one of their scrimmages and I’m eager to get on the field,” Johnston said. “The big thing there is never lose your hustle. I just want to win. I’ll do whatever I can do to help the team win.”

Making a commitment was a memorable time for Johnston, who will turn 17 on Dec. 19.

“It’s a feeling I’ll never forget, being on the phone with coach Sheppard and letting him know I wanted to play for him the next four years,” Johnston reflected about his conversation with long-time Seton Hall mentor Rob Sheppard. “It was a sigh of relief to see the look on my parents’ faces. It’s nice to get the recruiting process over with, but now it’s time to get better to be able to play at Seton Hall.”

Business is a potential major for Johnston, a 3.6 student at Trumbull excited about a future at the university located in South Orange, N.J., close to two hours from home.

“One of the main things I saw in talking to coach Papaccio is how much time they put in and how the coaches are engaged with you, how they make the process of playing on the field and working in the classroom work,” Johnston concluded. “I can’t wait for that extra assistance.”