Goal Is To Have Fun, Make It To Omaha For Leonard

Brett Leonard SS / 2B / Sterling Heights Stevenson, MI / 2025

LATHRUP VILLAGE - What wasn’t to like about Eastern Michigan according to Brett Leonard?

“Everything,” Leonard said about what stood out with the Mid-American Conference university in Ypsilanti. “Coach (Robbie) Britt, coach (Trevor) Beerman, the campus, they’re putting a lot of money into the program to turn it around, it’s close to home, and my brother Scott is going there with me.”

End of discussion for the 23rd-rated junior in Michigan.

“They saw me at the Future Games, that was the first time they saw me,” Leonard related. “Coach Britt and Beerman called and we had an instant bond. We just clicked. It’s a great spot for me for four years. It feels like home.”

Leonard, who also took visits to Toledo, Akron and Central Michigan, made a great impression on the coaches at Eastern Michigan, which is located only a half hour from his home in Lathrup Village.

“They like the kind of person I am, how I hold myself accountable on and off the field,” Leonard explained. “They also like my baseball skills. It’s just going to be a great thing for me in general.”

Especially with brother Scott joining him at Eastern.

“That means a lot,” the Sterling Heights Stevenson junior said. “Family means a lot to me and I’m happy to have that opportunity.”

As it turns out, family played a big role in reaching college baseball, something Leoard has been striving hard to obtain.

“It’s been a goal since I started freshman year of high school,” Leonard noted. “I’ve worked my butt off and God blessed me with Eastern Michigan.”

HIs father Scott, along with his uncle Tony, and older brother Nick have been instrumental in making it happen.

“They’ve been training me my whole life,” Leonard explained. “Nick was drafted in 2015 and played in the pros, so I know what it’s like from him.”

Getting better as a player was vital in becoming a Division I college commit according to the 17-year-old.

“My improvement has skyrocketed,” noted the 5-8 160-pounder. “I wasn’t always the biggest kid so I have to do all I can. My run tool, my hit tool, my arm … my velo across, everything has gotten better.”

It helped bring an end to an enjoyable recruiting process for the fourth-rated 2025 shortstop in Michigan.

“It wasn’t stressful,” Leonard said. “I wasn’t thinking I had to get an offer, I just did my thing and tried to have fun.”

That is what Leonard plans to do once part of the Eastern Michigan roster.

“I’ll bring them a lot of things,” Leonard pointed out. “I’m a fun guy to be around, I’m a competitive guy and I can help others improve their game. I’ll have their backs.”

A commitment was a wonderful feeling in the eyes of Leonard.

“It felt great, everyone was happy,” Leonard said. “It’s close to home so everyone can see me play.”

A major in business is the plan for Leonard, a 3.5 student at Sterling Heights Stevenson High School ready for the challenges ahead as a Division I college baseball player at Eastern Michigan.

“I’m looking forward to playing there for four years,” Leonard concluded. “I want to have fun with it. The goal is to make it to Omaha.”