By Bobby Narang
Naperville Central High School’s Colin Barczi is ready to start another journey in his prospective baseball career.
The senior catcher closed out his illustrious career by becoming the first player to earn the DuPage Valley Conference Player of the Year for three straight seasons. Despite missing three weeks of the season, Barczi batted .417 in 21 games. He missed 11 games this Spring.
He belted eight home runs, drove in 31 runs and walked 23 times. His dominant season was evident at the plate, behind the plate and in helping the Redhawks to win the DuPage Valley Conference and tournament championships for the second time in three years.
But, the Redhawks (22-10), the No. 2 seed in the Class 4A Romeoville Sectional, failed to carry their momentum into the playoffs, dropping a 4-1 decision to No. 16 seed Plainfield East in a regional semifinal.
“Me and the team dealt with a whole lot of stuff during the whole season,” Barczi said. “We played great all season, but at the end we had some things that happened out of our control and we struggled. It doesn’t take away from our season and how much fun we had playing. We had a great record going into the playoffs. It was a successful year.”
Barczi, who signed with Vanderbilt University, faces a tough decision early this Summer. He plans on playing in the Futures League in July in New England, while awaiting his possible selection in the Major League Baseball draft, which will be held July 9-11.
“I’m super excited about my future,” Barczi said. “I’m going to have to make a decision, but I’m really excited for it. I have two great options for my future, in pro ball or college. I’m so excited for either one, from my childhood dream of playing pro ball or my dream of playing for Vanderbilt. I’m really excited.
Naperville Central head coach Mike Stock said Barczi is a player with a very high upside.
“His future is so bright,” Stock said. “He’s got everything out in front of him, even though he’s not sure what will happen with the (MLB) draft. We traditionally don’t get many (high school) drafted players. He’s got more attention from pro scouts of any position player I’ve known since I’ve been a head coach.
“With pitchers, you can measure velocity, but I’ve had more scouts contact me and say he just stands out. Even when I talk to other coaches or college coaches, the conversation would always come around to Colin. Everyone is excited to see what’s next for him. We will all take that ride with him.”
Barczi said missing several games taught him numerous lessons, but when he returned he helped lead Naperville Central to 10 wins in a row.
“Baseball is such a mental game,” Barczi said. “I just tried to stay strong mentally and be positive no matter what, whether it was because I was out three weeks with an injury or struggling, just as long I stayed mentally tough.”
Stock said Barczi left a lasting legacy at Naperville Central High School.
“He lived up to everything he did,” Stock said. “He always came through at the plate or behind the plate. He did everything we asked. I’m bummed he missed three weeks, but he met every challenge and exceeded them.”