Ethan McElvain is an MLB draft prospect with family’s help
NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. (BVM) – Some people cannot wait for the weekend so that they can sit around and do nothing. This is not the McElvains. Instead, the family of five would head to the field early in the morning and would not leave until the sun went down.
Dad, mom, Chris, Ethan and Evan would bring along their travel grill and make a day of it.
The three sons pushed their parents for long practices and now it is no surprise with how they have all turned out.
Chris, the eldest son, is in his first year of pro ball for the Cincinnati Reds after a career at Vanderbilt. The youngest son, Evan, is a rising sophomore at Nolensville High School with a bright future ahead of him.
But at the moment, the spotlight is on Ethan.
The senior 6-foot-4 southpaw has made quite a name for himself over the past couple of years, enough to create buzz from a national level. Ethan is ranked as the No. 36 player in this year’s draft class according to Prep Baseball Report.
More two-pitch filth from one of the more underrated LHP in the 2023 class.
Ethan McElvain can run it up to 95 while living 92-94 w/ arm-side run. Shows a true out-pitch in the breaking ball that’s shown plus command and ability to manipulate shape @ 78-82.
(FB/SL/Overlay) pic.twitter.com/FYnL5m3rZa
— Ian Smith (@FlaSmitty) December 27, 2022
His fastball already sits in the mid-90s and he pairs that with a wipeout slider and changeup.
This attracted the attention of college coaches across the country early on, speeding up his recruiting process. But Ethan had the advantage of having an older brother that had already experienced it and he was able to use him as a sounding board.
Ethan McElvain still doing his thing. @wcsNHSathletics leads Brentwood 7-0 as we head to the bottom of the sixth inning. pic.twitter.com/qZCoO8Jnz3
— Tyler Palmateer (@Tpalmateer83) April 3, 2023
“He told me what stuff to look out for,” Ethan said. “It was the opinions that he could offer and the experience that he could offer of good and bad things.”
Ethan ultimately decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps by committing to the University of Vanderbilt. Education, atmosphere, culture, coaching, location and the overall Vandy boys’ pipeline were all factors in his decision.
In less than a couple of months, McElvain will have to make another decision when the MLB draft comes around. Does he want to be a Commodore or does he want to start his professional career?
“Regardless of if I go in the draft or if I go to Vanderbilt, I’m in a very good situation,” Ethan said. “One of, if not the best program within the last 10 years in the country, is Vanderbilt. If I’m fortunate enough to go in the draft, that would be amazing, too.”
Best kept secret in the country? 2023 @wcsNHSathletics LHP Ethan McElvain 6’4-215lbs up to 98 mph from the left side with feel for his offspeed. @VandyBoys commit pic.twitter.com/MT6bhtp5R2
— Tennessee Baseball Network (@tnballplayers) March 24, 2023
Ethan however kept his focus on Nolensville baseball this past year, where he was able to play with his younger brother. Evan was his personal catcher throughout his senior season. The duo were able to create memories throughout, including some funny stories such as Ethan busting a hand warmer in Evan’s catcher’s mitt with a 98 mph fastball.
But now that Ethan’s high school career is in the rearview mirror, a couple of exciting months are in store for him. The future is bright for the Middle Tennessee native whether that is on the mound at Hawkins Field or in the minor leagues.