Hughes Ready For ‘The Whole College Experience’ At Bowling Green

John Hughes OF / Applewood Heights, ON / 2024

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - With a gap year ahead, John Hughes was “not too worried” about still being uncommitted to a college during his senior year of high school at Applewood Heights.

“I knew I had time,” the seventh-rated 2024 outfielder in Ontario reflected. “I didn’t try to rush things. When Bowling Green came around, there was no place else I wanted to go to.”

Interest from BG began in August and a visit took place in December when an offer was presented.

“I went there with my mom and we loved the campus,” Hughes related. “I went on a second visit with the whole family, my dad and sister went this time, which was a couple days before I committed.

“I really liked the campus, it had a good feel and I was very comfortable there. The team atmosphere when I saw them working out and the whole coaching staff, it was a really good environment. The facilities are nice and the Bowling Green town, it’s small and very engaged, very nice.”

Hughes pointed to defensive ability and speed as aspects of his game that enticed Bowling Green, helping the 17-year-old reach a longtime dream.

“I’ve always wanted to play D-I baseball since I started playing as a kid at maybe nine or 10,” Hughes explained. “Two years ago, in 2022, I had a pretty good season and colleges started having an interest in me. That’s when I began thinking I had a chance to play at the next level. That opened my eyes that it was more realistic.”

Exposure came at the Prep Baseball Junior Future Games that year, with Hughes also pointing to Mike Steed as instrumental in having connections with colleges.

“I sent a lot of emails to schools and BG followed along,” Hughes said.

It was at that time Hughes was making big strides in his game.

“Where I saw real growth was the winter of 2021,” Hughes related. “I worked hard in the gym every day hitting and saw success on the field in 2022. This year I had a similar year.”

Corey Eckstein, president of the Ontario Blue Jays, is also credited by Hughes with playing a major role in becoming a Division I commit, bringing an end to the recruiting process of the 44th-ranked 2024 in Ontario.

“It’s kind of a weight off the shoulders,” Hughes said. “It feels good to say you’re committed and know you have a place that you’re happy and excited to go to, and that you don’t have to worry about finding a school.”

Hughes is confident he can be a major asset at the Mid-American Conference university located 41/2 hours from home.

“I’ll help the team anyway I can defensively, while at the plate doing my job getting on base and driving in runs,” Hughes explained. “I take pride in my defense and hope I can help them out with that.”

There is more the 5-10 180-pounder believes he can provide.

“I’m hard working and will do whatever I can to help the team win,” Hughes said. “Base stealing, base running in general, getting good reads off the bat. I can hit anywhere in the order. There’s a lot of skill on our team and a lot of good commits and I fit right in. We’re all very competitive.”

A 3.55 student, Hughes is undecided on a college major with aviation, business and finance being considered at this time as he looks forward to being a student-athlete at the next level in a year.

“I’m excited to be part of a team that wants to win and be at the top of the MAC every year,” Hughes concluded. “Playing with friends and teammates, the brotherhood and the whole college experience itself, I look forward to it all.”