RHP Henry Humes (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2026) is a name our staff became quite familiar with throughout the year of 2024. He initially showed well at the Lockport Preseason ID in the winter, and then again a couple times throughout the summer. He eventually earned an invitation to the Illinois State Games where he gave arguably his best showing yet - going two scoreless innings with one strikeout and no hits allowed, committing to Navy not long after the event. 

The long-levered 6-foot-5, 175-pound right-hander will run his fastball into the upper-80s and there’s plenty more to dream on in his extremely projectable frame. To pair off the fastball he will also go to a downer 11/5 curveball that he can land for strikes, and a fading changeup that he is comfortable throwing to either handed hitter.

Continue reading below to find out more about Humes’ recruitment process to Navy, and more.

Our Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Humes: With the new rule after August 1st, my expectations regarding recruiting were tempered and I wasn’t really sure what to expect heading into August and fall ball. I was looking for an academically strong school with a solid division 1 baseball program that valued player development and character. 

P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

H: At first, I wanted to stay in the Midwest, up until my visit to Annapolis where I didn’t care as much about distance from home. 

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

H: The recruiting process started to heat up for me after the Illinois State Games and the start of September. I had three division 1 visits in the first week of September. The assistant coach at Navy first saw me throw in the fall at the Grand Park Fall Championships and that’s where we first started communicating.

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

H: What I loved most about the program is the values they have instilled in their program. The coaches and players made me feel like family. I loved the campus and town and it was 100% somewhere I could see myself. After more insight at the academy I realized that serving my country was something I wanted to pursue and just being able to do that while playing division 1 baseball and attending one of the most prestigious academies made it an easy decision. 

P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

H: Northwestern, Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood and Purdue

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

H: I would say Enzo Infelise gave me the toughest at-bats in the state. The margin for error was slim to none and he had a lot of loud outs during the regional game.

P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

H: After my freshman spring on varsity with Coach John McCarthy. Players like Dillon Head and Rob Tate made me realize I could hang with top teams as early as my freshman year.

P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

H: Take the gym seriously early and your grades. High grades and rigor in your classes makes it 10x easier for colleges to recruit you.

P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

H: Upsetting teams week after week for Homewood Flossmoor freshman and sophomore year.

P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

H: We have one of the toughest schedules playing most of the CCLs, and our conference is tough as it is in the SWSC. We have way more varsity experience this year than last and I think that will make a significant impact. Players like Demir Heidelberg, Evian Rodriguez, Derrick Holmes, Cormac Saunders, and Antonio Brown are going to be the core leaders and get us through our toughest games. I have no doubt that we will make a far run in the playoffs and if not win it all this year. We have all the depth and players we need for a deep run.

P: How did the Future Games and/or the Illinois State Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event(s)?

H: The Illinois State Games gave me exposure and the start of communication with schools around the Midwest. I received a lot more attention right after the event. 

P: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

H: Ian Tosi’s pitchability.

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

H: Daniel Coyle out of St. Laurence.

P: Did Prep Baseball assist in your recruiting? Whether it be through a showcase, tournament coverage, tweets, etc? If yes, please explain. 

H: Prep Baseball's Illinois State Games and tweets from their tournaments helped with recruiting and being easy for coaches to see me and to see more of me.

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