By: Shannon Bickert

Since Justin Best was 12 years old, he knew he was destined to play baseball for a long time. In seventh grade, Best got his first college offer. The Cornelius, North Carolina native committed to Florida State University in eighth grade and was one of the highest prospects in his draft class out of high school.

Before his success, Best started off as a five-year-old in jeans in Kentucky, trying out for his very first baseball team. He played several other sports, but baseball was always on the top of the list for Best.

In 2023, Best was ranked the No. 4 overall prospect in North Carolina and was invited to attend the MLB Draft Combine.

“That was a crazy experience, getting to meet all the players across the country in my draft class,” Best said. “That’s an experience I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. I’ll be able to tell my kids that.”

Best decided to take the college route, spending his first season with the Seminoles before transferring to New Orleans. Best landed at Manhattan University for his redshirt sophomore season, where he recorded a .317 batting average and launched seven homers.

“It was expected to have a successful season. I know that I can do better than what I did,” Best said. “As soon as I get back next year, I just want to be stronger, faster, a little bit better, more consistent at the plate. You can always be better at what you’re doing.”

After his first season with the Jaspers, Best announced that he would be returning to the team for the 2027 season. Before heading back to New York, Best made a stop in Mystic, Connecticut, this summer with the Schooners.

“I had nowhere to go at first, so that was a bummer, but when they [the Schooners] reached out to me, it was a no-brainer to take the opportunity with these guys.”

This summer, Best has recorded seven hits and six stolen bases across 12 games played. Best is looking to improve his game and build bonds with his teammates.

“I want to be consistent, be there for my teammates, pick guys up when I’m not doing good,” Best said. “Just learn, be a sponge and sit back and play the game.”

Best is grateful for the journey that baseball has brought him on and what he has learned.

“Just be yourself in the game,” Best said. “Just go out there and play. It’s still a kid’s game at the end of the day.”