Testimonial Tuesday: Drew Needham

Testimonial Tuesday: Drew Needham

Date: February 26, 2019
By: Eric Leary

When MLB scouts rate players on their performance tools they use a grade system that ranges between 20 and 80. Anyone who has ever spent time with Drew Needham, or had a conversation with the 2020 left-handed hitting infielder, would probably agree his personality score should be an 80. In a recent interview, Drew sheepishly began with an apology about his speaking skills as not being up to par with his big, smooth swing.  

But, it didn’t take long to determine his colloquial delivery and disarming charm puts him in a rare category of people that are both intelligent yet not pretentious about it. He’s an outdoorsman from small-town USA, but can roll the pole with the best of them. A self-admitted nerd who loves to learn, Needham is a complex dude that matches his personal skills with DI level abilities on the diamond.  

Consequently, the baseball skills have provided big opportunities for the junior out of Providence Grove High School, near Climax, NC. He committed to Western Carolina in November of 2018, and while Head Coach Bobby Moranda is probably aware of who he is getting in the 6’1” 220 pounder, the rest of the Catamount roster is in for a treat and sure to be drawn to the affable batsman.

In discussing the decision to commit, Needham said being in Cullowhee “really felt at home” and the smaller atmosphere is a right fit. Perhaps that’s because when one “lives on a farm in the middle of nowhere” the lack of a big scene can be a big deal and part of what guided him to connect to WCU. But make no mistake, Drew Needham plans on playing big-time baseball when he gets to the NC mountains.

From an offensive perspective,  He sees the elevation of the mountains as a plus and their shared offensive philosophy  “is not a lot of finesse – instead, bang the ball and go.”

Adds Dirtbags’ General Manager, Trey Daly, “The Western Carolina Catamounts got a kid who’s not only going to bring power to the Cullowhee lineup, but also an attitude in a guy who isn’t afraid to go to battle.”

Drew cites the Dirtbags’ role in his recruitment as a provider of opportunities. By participating regularly in those high profile national events the organization gave him the chance to display his craft in front of the right people. As he puts it, “Exposure to big programs in tournaments like the PG in Atlanta.”

But it’s been a journey for him to reach this position, and he again recognizes the Dirtbags who he has played with since his freshman year. Most critical in this process has been the relationships made with those players and with coaches who he says aided his improvements.  

His attentiveness to detail is revealed again when he speaks about his development by way of listening to his talented teammates and “borrowing ideas” Adding, “It’s breaking the game down so it’s slower while you’re playing; getting those tips and tricks.”

But where has Needham seen the most growth?  Without hesitation he offered it has been in his aggressiveness. Though a football player at Providence Grove, he often went to the plate to work counts and find a way to get on base. Since coming into his own with the Bags, he has learned to let it fly early due to his confidence. He realized with encouragement from Dirtbag coaches and teammates that his swing is good enough to hammer pitches that may not be perfect.

For Drew, being a Dirtbag is like being in a family. Playing on a team full of such close friends led him to say, “A lot of guys I consider my brothers on that team. One lives three and a half hours away and we text everyday”

With the 2019 season starting, an analysis of his off-season brought on mentions of simplifying the swing, getting faster and stronger by lifting, and treadmill running as a part of a speed and agility program. This will definitely ready him to lead the 2A Patriots of Providence Grove who are waiting on several players still playing basketball. But in a typical it’ll-be-alright tone he quips, “(We’ll) just have to see what comes out when we all get together”

And by the way, don’t look for him on the corner of the infield this spring. That’s because he’ll be behind the dish, a spot he has played regularly since about 12 years old. He also sports a 2.0 POP time from behind the plate, so he’s not just a guy in shin guards keeping it off the backstop.

Once summer arrives and blends to next fall, Drew expects to win a lot and compete in every game with the Dirtbags. And of course he had to mention the chance to go down and win Jupiter – not win AT Jupiter but to WIN Jupiter. Be sure not to miss his words because he doesn’t waste them and just like his AB’s he makes them all count.

Throughout the entire conversation the young man provides ample evidence that he’s perceptive beyond explanation about all sorts of stuff – baseball, people, academic topics – but not once does his seem the least bit interested in showing off … it’s just his personality.