Jefferson baseball standout made it official Monday when he committed to the United State Naval Academy. Bartek will pitch for the Midshipmen next season. Matt Mauney/The Paper
All it took was one performance in a summer league game.
That’s when United States Naval Academy assistant baseball coach Ryan Mau first noticed Jefferson standout Andrew Bartek.
“I was throwing really hard that day and coach Mau came and talked to my coach while I was pitching and my coach told me after that he wanted to talk to me,” Bartek said about that day last June during a Southeast Showcase tournament at the East Cobb Baseball Complex in Marietta. “We just talked about the Academy and what it was all about and he said he wanted to keep in contact with and maybe get me up there for an official visit.”
“Since then, it’s been all Navy,” he said.
The senior officially signed his “letter of commitment” (the service academies have letters of commitment instead of letters of intent due to the appointment process of the academies) Monday at Jefferson High.
Matthew Waldroup of Congressman Paul Brown’s office was in attendance Monday after helping Bartek with his appointment to Navy.
“The requirements for appointment say that you must be recommended by a United States congressman, a senator or by the Vice President,” Waldroup explained. “Andrew applied through our office and through a competitive process throughout the 10th District, he was selected by the Naval Academy.”
When it comes to baseball, Bartek might see some playing time very early on at the Annapolis, MD, school.
“They think he’s going to be able to help them right away as a freshman,” said JHS head coach Tommy Knight.
Bartek has mostly played first base during his high school career, but the senior did see some quality innings on the mound as a junior after pitching minimally as a sophomore.
It was in summer leagues and travel ball that Bartek shined on the mound.
“During the summer and fall, I found the strike zone a lot more,” he said. “During the high school season, I haven’t really shown my capabilities, but coach knight has seen them, he’s just trying to put me out there so I can do them during a game. I’m looking for a big senior season for sure.”
According to Knight, Bartek has a fastball that is in the upper 80’s and can top off in the low 90’s. He also possesses a change-up and a slider that has become his strikeout pitch.
“I got a lot of strikeouts over the summer and fall with my slider and is becoming my go-to pitch along with my fastball,” he said.
As with all of the service academies, a commitment to play sports also means a commitment to serve your country after graduation. Midshipmen must serve a five-year term after four years earning a degree and graduating as an officer for the Navy.
Bartek said that before Navy showed interest, he had never given any thought to attending one of the military academies or enlisting in one of the branches.
“To be honest, it never crossed my mind, but when the chance came up and I got to learn about the school and really get to know Navy and its background, I fell in love with it,” he said.
Knight said that that it will be equally as interesting to see how Bartek’s career develops as it will be his accomplishments on the field. An education at Navy is valued at more than $350,000 and nearly all major expenses (tuition, room and board, etc.) are covered. Every year, more than 20,000 students apply to the academy and only around 1,000 actually are appointed to become Midshipmen.
“We’re excited for him as far as baseball opportunities go and we’re also excited about what the future holds career wise for him,” Knight said. “Once you go to the Naval Academy and graduate from there, you’re pretty much set up.”
While Knight said he was excited for Bartek, he’s happy for one more thing.
“We’re glad we have him for one more year and are excited to see what he can do,” Knight said.
