Following a season in which he contributed in the field, on the mound and at the plate, Owensboro’s Isaac Humphrey has been named The Owensboro Times 2019 Baseball Player of the Year.
The junior left-hander showed great improvements in all aspects of his game this season. Humphrey took a solid approach at the plate for most of the year and carried a .371 batting average into the region tournament. He had a team-high 11 triples to go along with nine doubles and one homer, driving in 26 runs and scoring 21 times.
“I think the key was just staying locked in at all times,” he said. “Just being aggressive and ready for a fastball and adjusting as the count moves on.”
Defensively, Humphrey was a dual threat. In addition to his normal duties as the center fielder, Humphrey assumed the role of a dominant pitcher for the Red Devils.
“I think my biggest role was being that guy they could count on to go out there and pitch when they needed me to get a win,” he said.
Humphrey sported a 4-1 record on the mound through the end of the district tournament, and his 1.45 ERA was a team low. He struck out 55 batters and walked 20 in 53.0 innings of work.
Head coach Logan Johnson said versatility and control were keys to Humphrey’s success.
“On the mound, being able to have command on both sides of the plate and throw three pitches is really good, especially for a high schooler,” he said.
Johnson also said a minor swing adjustment allowed Humphrey to find his groove as a hitter.
“His pitch selection and approach at the plate has come a long way,” Johnson said. “He’s been starting since he was in eighth grade, so he’s had to learn a lot quickly. He’s really locked into his approach to hitting, and that’s a really big deal.”
As he developed into a well-rounded player that is a dynamic threat, Humphrey said his belief in himself grew.
“My approach at the plate is definitely a lot better,” he said. “I’m more aggressive to pitches. I’m more confident at the plate and on the mound. I know what my abilities are and what I can do. I think it’s just a confidence kind of thing.”
His leadership helped the Red Devils earn a regular season 9th District title and a berth in the 3rd Region Tournament. After falling short of their goals of a region championship, Humphrey is itching to make it back in his senior campaign.
“I thought we had a really productive year,” he said. “We didn’t meet our end goal, but it wasn’t a complete failure. We have high expectations for next year. We feel like we can build on this year and take it a step further.”
Johnson said he knew Humphrey was capable of a standout season, but the coach doesn’t like to define goals with numbers or statistics. It’s more about the eye test and showing improvements.
“It’s so easy to say ‘I want to hit over .350 or hit this many home runs,’” Johnson said. “It’s all about growth. It always starts at the beginning of the year and then how do you look at the end of the year. (Humphrey) grew leaps and bounds and finished the year very, very strong — both at the plate and on the mound. That’s the biggest thing is seeing the growth.”
Key to that growth was the commitment Humphrey showed. He’s a two-sport athlete — Humphrey was on the OHS basketball team that advanced to the state tournament — but he’s always been dedicated to baseball.
Following his freshman season, Humphrey committed to the University of Louisville and is still working toward a future there. Johnson said Humphrey sets a good example for the rest of the team, and the coach knows he can always count on his player.
“As a player he’s invaluable,” Johnson said. “As a kid, he’s a guy that sets the tone as far as work ethic and how to go about your business. He’s always willing to put in the time and the effort in practice. He’s not afraid to be the guy that’s in the spotlight. He wants the ball in a big game. When he goes out there we’re 100 percent confident he’s going to give us a really strong effort.”
