High Heat from Hammond

Olivia Bontempo

Photo: Josh Hammond (Perfect Game)

Standing at 6-foot-1, Josh Hammond, the right-handed pitcher out of High Point, North Carolina, boasts an impressive four pitch mix which features a 94 mph fastball, standing out amongst other pitchers his age.

The No.4-ranked RHP in the country was invited alongside other top players in the country to the East Cobb Baseball Complex for the 2023 Jr. National Showcase. Although Hammond can primarily be found on the mound. He was able to showcase some other skills throughout the weekend. At the plate, Hammond currently holds the second-best exit velocity for the showcase at 97 mph and from the field Hammond also holds the quickest infield velocity sitting at 95 mph.

Josh Hammond (‘25 NC) strong arm and fluid actions up the middle. #PGJrNational pic.twitter.com/uAwp65wDs0
— PG Showcases (@PGShowcases) June 11, 2023

“It feels really good to just have the opportunity to play against the best guys in the country,” Hammond said after yesterday's game. “I felt good, my fastball felt good, and I was in the zone so that's all I really cared about, just getting outs.”

In the first game of the day yesterday, Hammond started on the mound for the Maroon team allowing no hits. Through two innings pitched, Hammond threw 23 pitches, striking out four and working consistently in the 93-94 mph range.

“I need to keep developing every single pitch, just keep getting stronger, and more athletic. 94 (mph) plays, but it won’t in the future, and I am always trying to improve on that and whatever can help me get more outs in the future.”

Josh Hammond (‘25 NC) showing massive stuff here to open up. Punched out the side, sitting 93-94 w/ big carry up. Nasty SL in mid-80s (2800+ RPM) and flashed CH. #PGJrNational @PG_Coastal #WakeForest commit pic.twitter.com/Ba8HkSQfgx
— PG Showcases (@PGShowcases) June 12, 2023

Hammond attributes a lot of his success and drive to his dad, Joey Hammond, High Point University’s head baseball coach, who has continued to motivate and help improve Josh’s game year after year.

“I would say it's my dad,” Hammond said when asked about a coach who has really helped shape him into the player he is today. “He's been a baseball coach and he coaches at a D1 college right now. He always works with me after he's done working at night, after hours, every day. He was in the minor leagues, so he's been teaching me everything he knows and is really trying to help me get to the next level.”

The 16-year-old is headed to Wake Forest to join the Demon Deacons following his graduation from Wesleyan Christian Academy in May of 2025.

The Deacons baseball program is currently the No.1-ranked D1 team in the NCAA with a record of 52-10. Already advancing to Omaha, the Deacs now await the winner of the Palo Alto Super Regional, where Texas and Stanford stand 1-1 on the series.

“(Wake Forest) is awesome. I know some of the players there and I am close with them and have learned a lot from them,” Hammond said. “The coaches are awesome and obviously they are the best team in the nation right now, so it's the best place I could be.”

Hammond is set to join the Ostingers Baseball Academy this coming weekend, and when asked about the rest of the summer season Hammond said, “Just keep having fun. Keep trying to stay healthy and improving. Hopefully also win a lot of games.”

PERFECTGAME.TV