“He’s a special guy,” Barnes said. “He’s got a nice arm. He’s a good pitcher and is competitive. If you had to draw one up, he’d be the one.”
Jahn completed the next step in his early but successful career by signing a letter of intent to play baseball at South Carolina during a ceremony at Westside on Thursday.
The standout left-hander led the Patriots to the Class AAA semifinals this past season before bowing out to a talented Blessed Trinity team that eventually won the state title. Jahn has one more season left at Westside, but plenty more could be in store beyond high school.
“It’s very exciting,” Jahn said. “I’ve looked forward to this day my whole life. I’ve always wanted to play college baseball. I’ve thought about it since I was little. It’s a dream come true.”
Jahn has one of the stronger arms in the area, consistently sitting upper-80s to low-90s while mixing in a hard curveball and developing changeup. He hit 93 mph twice against Harlem in a March game, and he hit 90 multiple times at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., in October.
He has used the off-season to gain arm strength and build onto a projectable frame with room to add more muscle. As an athletic left-hander capable of throwing low-90s and showing feel for three pitches, he offers an attractive package for scouts and South Carolina’s coaching staff.
“It’s very close to home,” Jahn said of the Gamecocks. “The success of the last few years, the coaching staff is amazing there, it just feels like home.”
Barnes said Jahn has been a good leader and, as one of the more talented players in the area, he’s an example for the younger players. Westside will need that standout ability and guidance in his senior season this spring.
“If you’re a good player and you’re doing right, the other kids notice and it helps them go the right way,” Barnes said. “He’s been every bit of that. I’m glad he came here and we’ve had the opportunity to watch him play.”
