The one word used by each member of the baseball team to describe junior Marcus Harris is “standout.”
Harris first caught everyone’s attention in spring 2023 after he earned a starting spot on the varsity baseball team as a sophomore.
His robust frame and outstanding power are two of the reasons he stood out among other athletes. But Harris, a corner infielder on defense, said he believes his best attribute is his batting.
“Power has always come naturally to me,” Harris said.
In summer 2023, while playing for the baseball team Up Top Prospects, Harris put on a show with his bat all summer long, and people took notice. With high-point hit after hit, the team cheered him on throughout his achievements.
After earning an invite to the Junior National Showcase hosted by Perfect Game, Harris was quick to accept.
“It felt like all of the hard work I had been putting in finally got noticed,” he said.
Harris had an impressive performance at the event, earning a national ranking of 384 overall in the class of 2025 and ranking second in his position in Texas.
He got the opportunity to represent the country at the 16U USA National Team Identification Series.
“NTIS was special to me because I felt like I was playing for more than just myself,” he said.
With his name continuing to spread, Harris was able to earn a spot in the Perfect Game Underclass All-American Games, solidifying his name in the high school baseball scene. With his recent success, he was offered a partnership with OTW Bat Company, which he accepted.
“This summer was proof to me that all of my hard work was worth it, but my focus now has shifted to leading the team in the spring,” Harris said.
During the offseason, Harris didn’t let his accomplishments get the best of him. He is continuing to work and get better every way he can by weight training, perfecting his swing, and getting his throwing arm in shape.
Harris’ only talents aren’t just on the baseball field, as he is very diligent on his schoolwork.
“I feel like a ton of athletes my age completely ignore their other responsibilities in school,” he said.
He said he believes that a key part of getting recruited for college is how he acts in the classroom in addition to on the field.
Harris is adamant that his only current goal is to make an impact for Kinkaid. He said he wants to explore leadership more as this is his first season as an upperclassmen.
“I used to feel intimidated by the older guys before I met them,” he said. “It’s kind of funny to think that the younger kids are probably going to feel like that about me.”
With the upcoming season set to start in January 2024, Harris is projected to be a starter and an impact bat in the middle of the order for the varsity squad.
