All-region baseball and multi-sport athlete of the year, Brody Barnum of Skyview High School is pictured at The Columbian, Tuesday June 7, 2017. (Ariane Kunze/The Columbian)
Brody Barnum’s baseball journey is far from finished.
But when the Skyview senior eventually looks back on all the byways and basepaths he’ll have traveled, this spring will stand out.
Skyview finished third in the Class 4A state playoffs, ending the season with two games at Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners.
“This is definitely going to be the one season in high school that I remember most,” Barnum said. “Senior year and getting a chance to play at Safeco was one of the most incredible things. Not only being able to do that, but to do it with a close group of friends.”
It was a team effort, but nobody was a bigger key to that team than Barnum.
He hit .474 with 4 home runs, 10 doubles, 18 RBI and 23 runs scored in 78 at bats. On the mound, he went 7-2 with a 1.77 earned-run average and 73 strikeouts over 59 1/3 innings.
“To me, Brody could be the player of the state as a pitcher or as a hitter,” Skyview coach Seth Johnson said. “And he does both. He’s the heart and soul of the team. He got all the big hits. He was on the mound in the big games.”
For his accomplishments, Barnum is The Columbian’s All-Region baseball player of the year.
Barnum’s stats are eye-catching. But it’s his leadership that makes his importance go beyond the numbers. A quarterback on the Skyview football team that reached the state semifinals, Barnum had similar role on the baseball team.
“Yes, our coach is there telling us to do specific things. But there are always going to be those moments when it’s just us guys,” Barnum said. “You’ve got to have someone who says ‘hey, let’s get going and do it perfect this time. Let’s do one more rep.’ I always tried to be that guy.”
Barnum had plenty of important hits. He also shut down a few opponents’ rallies with big strikeouts.
Which is a bigger thrill?
“They’re both exciting, but I’ve got to go with a big hit,” he said. “You’re standing on second or third, you look back in the dugout, see your guys and feel that energy. But it’s the same thing with pitching. You get a strikeout and you’re pumped.”
Barnum will have a chance to experience both thrills at Washington State, where he has signed. He said the Cougars have talked about him being both a pitcher and hitter.
It’s just another chance to make more memories, ones that will join a once-in-a-lifetime senior season.
“Baseball is my life,” Barnum said. “I love every minute of it. I love everything about it. I’m blessed with the opportunity to play at the next level. I hope I can continue as long as I can.”
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