In baseball, just two players are involved in every play, the pitcher and the catcher. The game often hinges on the pitcher—one slip up could change the outcome of a game. With the game at their fingertips, most high school athletes would crumble, but not sophomore Aiden Stillman. For back-to-back seasons, Stillman has served as the starting pitcher for Trinity varsity baseball. Despite just being 16-years-old, Stillman has already gained interest from multiple high-profile Division I schools across the country, something only few players can say.
Statistically, baseball is one of the most difficult sports to play at the collegiate level, with less than two percent of high school players nationwide going on to compete at the Division I level. At the pitcher position, college coaches look for size, strength, and ability in prospects. Standing at 6’ 3” and 175 pounds with a strong left arm, Stillman has all of the physical attributes needed to play at the next level. Despite only being 16-years-old, Stillman can throw the ball in the upper 80 mile per hour (mph) range, less than 8 mph off of the average MLB fastball.
Despite Stillman’s physical gifts, what sets him apart from other top players at the high school level is his competitiveness and drive. Stillman practices five times a week for Trinity, followed by a lifting program each day and throwing practice on Saturdays. While he doesn’t play club baseball during the school season, Stillman plays for the Winter Park Diamond Dogs each summer, one of the top teams in the area. Stillman’s passion for the game is what motivates him to continue and has shaped him into a dominant player on the field.
“I really love the game, it feels weird when I’m not playing,” Stillman said. “I’m most comfortable on the baseball field, it’s like my second home.”
Stillman began playing baseball at the age of four and immediately fell in love with the competitive aspect involved in the game. From a young age, he has always enjoyed winning, but hated losing even more. Head Coach Andy Sutter began coaching Stillman at the age of 13 and has seen him take major strides on and off the field. What impresses Sutter the most about Stillman’s game is the professionality and intensity that he plays with.
“Aiden has always been a guy that will go out and leave everything on the field,” Sutter said. “He is the most competitive guy I know on this team. He will fight to the end. He is a great teammate and will make sacrifices for anyone on the team.”
Along with being one of the most physically demanding positions in baseball, pitchers also face many mental challenges on the mound. The ability to bounce back after allowing a hit or walk requires maturity and a positive mindset, which players typically acquire as they grow older. Starting on varsity as a 15-year-old freshman, Stillman has worked on the mental part of the game just as much as the physical, which helps him always put forth his best.
“I’ve always had the mentality of, ‘So what? Next pitch,” Stillman said. “That’s what I’ve always been taught and what’s been hammered into my mind. Just because one thing happens doesn’t mean you can let it snowball into something bigger. Take a breath, regroup, and move on.”
The way Stillman carries himself both on and off the field is one of the reasons why he and the team have found recent success. Sutter admires Stillman’s character and drive, and believes he is a one of a kind player that represents the best of Trinity.
“Aiden continues to progress every year, both as a player and as a person,” Sutter said. “He is someone that we as coaches look up to, and have a lot of respect for. It’s an honor to coach him. He epitomizes the type of young man that you want to attend this school and to play sports here.”
Stillman’s combination of hard work and determination has led him to become a top prospect in Central Florida. While playing club baseball with the Diamond Dogs and at Trinity, Stillman has gained exposure to camps and coaches at the next level. Throughout freshman year, Stillman attended camps at the University of Virginia and Duke University, and has remained in close contact with the coaches at those colleges. As of recent, he has also started to talk to coaches at the University of Miami and the University of Central Florida.
From a young age, Stillman has always dreamed of playing at the Division I level. As he’s started to gain interest from coaches and schools, he finds himself one step closer to his goal. The college recruitment process has been a dream come true for Stillman, and he is excited to see what the future holds. Until then, he looks forward to competing for Trinity and continue doing what he enjoys.
“I love everything about baseball,” Stillman said. “Just the competitive nature to where I can control the game when I pitch, and that there’s no one to rush me. No one can tell me what to do. It’s up to me, and I get to determine how the rest of the game will look.”
