West Boca’s Michael Barash Headed To LSU

West Boca’s Michael Barash celebrates with coach Nick Siano after signing to play for LSU this spring.

Every time Michael Barash talks about LSU he gets goosebumps.

Ever since he was 8 years old, he has dreamed of someday playing college baseball.

On Wednesday morning in front of family, coaches and friends the West Boca catcher made that dream a reality by signing to play for the Tigers.

“It really is a dream come true,” Barash said. “I always thought it might happen, but now it is.”

What makes this decision even more special is that Barash will graduate early this winter and enroll at the school for the spring semester, getting an immediate jump to the next level that is very uncommon in college baseball.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better kid to represent our program. He did it the right way,” Bulls coach Nick Siano said. “He is an academic guy and now he is going to pass up his chance in the June Draft. It speaks volumes of who he is. He wants to get his baseball career going and he wants a degree.”

Barash leaves West Boca amongst the school’s most celebrated baseball players, having won a state title in 2011 while accounting for both of the team’s runs in the 2-0 Finals victory.

This past season he hit .468, with 10 doubles, 15 RBI and 26 runs. In 77 at-bats, he struck out only three times. He also anchored a defense that was among the toughest in Palm Beach County.

But what Siano and the Bulls will miss the most is his leadership, the way he has set such a great example for working hard to earn what you receive.

“You cannot replace Mike’s leadership,” Siano admitted. “Now we’ll just be looking for the younger guys to step it up.”

Barash is excited about the prospect of playing for a program that has realistic aspirations for a National Championship every season.

“SEC baseball is the most top-notch in the country. Everyday you’re playing against the best,” Barash said, while also appreciating that the Tigers’ style of play so perfectly fits his own approach to the game. “LSU plays very up-tempo, high-energy, high activity baseball. There’s a real at-home feeling there for me.”

With the moment he has dreamed for all his life finally upon him, Barash still remains true to the person he has become in order to get here.

To celebrate the occasion he planned to go running and then hold his normal practice routine.

“Don’t take a day off. Days off won’t get you anywhere,” Barash said. “Have fun, play hard and enjoy your time here.”

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