Brownsburg lost in Indiana's Section 12-4A finals to Decatur Central of Indianapolis, marking the end of an outstanding prep career for Tucker Barnhart. On Wednesday, Barnhart could mark the beginning of a new baseball career when selections are made in the Major League Baseball draft.
Ranked as one of the top seven high school catchers in the country, and No. 47 overall in the MaxPreps Baseball Top 100, Barnhart has been slotted to go somewhere in the top five rounds of this year’s draft.
“Playing professional baseball has always been a dream of mine,” Barnhart said. “I feel very honored to be even mentioned of possibly being drafted.”
The All-West Player of the Year as a junior, Barnhart hit .500 with 39 RBI, 11 home runs and 10 doubles last year. With pitchers being more careful with Barnhart this year, the senior batted .373 with six home runs and 22 RBI.
“In my first seven games, I was walked 15 times,” Barnhart said. “But one of my goals this year was to maintain a mature approach at the plate, control what I am able to control, maximize the pitches that are strikes and drive those pitches.”
Brownsburg coach Patrick O’Neil says that Barnhart’s philosophical approach to hitting has been a big part of his standout catcher’s success.
“He takes every swing in practice with a purpose,” O’Neill said. “He helps teammates with comments, demonstrations and he assists during drills. Tucker just possesses and aura of leadership, caring and commitment. The community, the fans and the players just love to be around him.”
Barnhart, who has signed to play next year at Georgia Tech, has become a bit of a legend in his hometown for his exploits as a youth and high school ballplayer. He began playing travel ball as a six-year-old which is also when he hit his first two “over-the-fence” home runs.
He’s played with the Indiana Bulls travel team since he was 12 and at one state tournament game he not only pitched a perfect six-inning game, but he struck out all 18 batters.
“I’ve played with the Bulls for a long time and it is definitely going to be hard to not play for them anymore,” Barnhart said. “Playing with the Bulls is where I noticed that I could possibly play at the next level. We traveled all over the country and I was competing at quite a high level.”
Last summer at the East Coast Pro Showcase, Barnhart immediately established himself by hitting a home run over the centerfield wall at Joker Merchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla., in his first at-bat.
Barnhart credits his father with helping him cultivate his talent on the diamond.
“From day one, my dad has been the one that has taken me to cages and spent his time making me the best player that I can be,” Barnhart said. “I would definitely not be where I am today without him. He taught me to switch hit and really stressed fundamentals.”
Although not large in stature, Barnhart says that he does not let that detour him from being one of the nation’s best catchers.
“My biggest strength as a player is my catching ability. I’m not the biggest guy and I really have to rely on my defensive ability to carry me places,” Barnhart said. “I try to maintain a ‘get after it’ mentality and not let anyone ever tell me that I can’t do something.”
Brownsburg won its first two games at the Class 4A Sectional 12, defeating Indianapolis Manual 15-0 and rival Avon 4-1 to advance to the finals against host Decatur Central on June 2.
Rain suspended the game with Decatur Central holding a 2-1 lead. Play didn’t resume until two days later and Brownsburg was unable to rally to get past the Hawks. Brownsburg went 90-20 in Barnhart’s four seasons behind the plate.
