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By Dave Sontag
PBR Michigan Scout

We look to bring the state of Michigan top-notch high school coverage throughout the entire state.

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Steve Mann: Humble, Determined and Talented

He is humble. He is appreciative. He is determined.

For Detroit Country Day senior Steve Mann, the No. 1 ranked senior for Michigan’s Prep Baseball Report, is hardly content with his spectacular but young baseball career.

“I know that I have to stay hungry,” Mann said. “To be ranked No. 1 for PBR is a honor, but it is also a statement for me to keep working hard.”

Following Mann’s sophomore year, the talented outfielder made a verbal commitment to play baseball and continue his education at Duke University.

Mann said that Duke’s strong academic opportunity, the favorable North Carolina weather and the on-the-rise baseball program attracted him to the Blue Devils.

With 33 wins in 2016, Duke reached the 30-win milestone for the third straight year, marking the program’s first stretch of three-straight 30-win seasons since 1996-98. The Blue Devils are coached by veteran mentor Chris Pollard.

“My parents are also big on school,” Mann said. “They have really pushed me since middle school even though they have slowed down a bit. They trust me.”

Mann is the son of Kira and Steven Mann I. The younger Mann has blossomed at Country Day in the classroom and on the field. He currently holds a 3.94 GPA.

Mann credits PBR with his exposure to the collegiate diamond interest.

“Following my freshman year, I went to the Future Games in Indianapolis. Louisville actually showed interest in me following that event,” Mann said.

Other schools to show interest in Mann include Auburn, Vanderbilt and Michigan.

Mann also stars on the football field for Country Day. The two-way player is excited about his team’s 8-0 start. The 5-11, 195-pounder packs a punch from his cornerback position. He also splits time on offense at quarterback and wide receiver.

Detroit Country Day is currently ranked No. 1 (Division 4)  in the state’s football polls following Friday’s 28-21 over U of D Jesuit. Mann displayed his Swiss-army knife talents in the contest when he rushed for 63 yards on seven carries and was 6-for-15 passing. The talented senior also caught a flea-flicker touchdown pass in the contest.

Hitting a home run at Comerica Park at the tail end of his sophomore year against Utica Eisenhower was one of the biggest thrills in Mann’s high school career. The athletic outfielder cleared the left-center field wall at the home of the Tigers.

However, the relationships that Mann has built - with his coaches, with opposing players and with his teammates - is what drives the star player.

Being a starter since his freshman year at Country Day, Mann is additionally proud that he will be a four-year captain.

Mann credits his parents with their incessant encouragement - on and off of the field. He also credits his summer coach, Aaron Wilson, with his biggest baseball influence.

“Steve is such a hard worker and an elite talent,” Wilson said.

Wilson continued to heap praise on Mann when he talked about his strong character.

“He’s just a good kid. He not only is an elite talent, he is an elite person,” Wilson said. “He is a take-charge guy with a leader mentality. He also engages other players.”

Which MLB player does Wilson feel Mann resemble the most?

“He reminds me of Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh Pirates). He’s a five-tool guy. You just can’t teach that power,” Wilson said.

Mann has been clocked at 6.5 in 60 yards and has broken the 100 MPH barrier with his exit velocity (102).

Playing with Arsenal Baseball in the summer, Mann said that Wilson not only has helped him improve mechanically, “he has also taught me the mental part of the game.”

“Learning to focus with every pitch and taking care of details is what Aaron has done for me,” Mann said.

How does Mann want people from Detroit Country Day to remember him?

“I want them to say that I helped build tradition. I want to leave the program in better shape than how it was when I found it,” Mann said.