Justin Willis - Baseball - Vanderbilt University Athletics

#31 Justin Willis Season 2018-19

RHP

Class Sophomore
Height 5'11"
Weight 180 LBS
B/T R/R
Hometown West New York, N.J.
High School Memorial

Career Game Highs
Innings Pitched: 
3.2, 5/1/18 vs. Louisville
Strikeouts: 2, 2x, last 3/17/18 at Mississippi State
Hits Allowed: 4, 5/1/18 vs. Louisville
Walks Allowed: 2, 3/7/18 at Long Beach State
Runs Allowed: 3, 3/21/18 vs. Belmont

Coach Corbin Quote: Justin gained a lot of experience in some tough SEC games during his first year. He’s a fearless kid who competes with a lot of energy and tenacity. He has a bulldog mentality on the mound, but is a very positive and fun young man who he connects very well with his teammates. He is a self-directed player who will look to earn a role in the bullpen once again this year.

As a Sophomore (2019)

  • Did not appear in a game

2018 – Made 10 relief appearances during his freshman campaign, posting a 0-0 record alongside a 7.59 ERA… Did not allow an earned run in five of his first six appearances including his first four outings… Tossed a season-high 3.2 innings against Louisville on May 1, limiting the Cardinals to one run while striking out one and scattering four hits… Made his collegiate debut on Feb. 21 against Presbyterian, permitting two hits in 1.1 scoreless frames… Struck out two batters on a pair of occasions, coming in 0.2 hitless frames against Louisiana (March 3) and Mississippi State (March 17)… Limited opponents to one hit or less in seven of his 10 appearances and fanned at least one batter six times… Did not permit an extra-base hit during his first six appearances and allowed just three on the season.

High School – Lettered two years in baseball at St. Joseph High School and two years in basketball at Memorial High School under coach Danny Marroquin… also lettered two years in basketball…helped the Tigers to a County Championship as a senior… named Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American, Northeast — All Region first-team, All-Conference, and team captain as a senior… named Rawlings-Perfect Game 2016 Underclass third-team and team captain as a junior… helped St. Joseph to a top-5 ranking in New Jersey as a sophomore… named All-State, All-Conference and team captain as a sophomore… helped St. Joseph to a top-5 ranking in New Jersey as a freshman… named All-State and All-Conference as a freshman… played summer ball for the Evoshield Canes… was on the Dean’s List all four years of high school… played high school and/or summer ball with Austin Weiermiller (Stanford), Mackenzie Gore (1st round, 2017, San Diego), and Jordan Adell (1st round, 2017, Los Angeles — AL).

Academics – Willis is undecided on a major.

Personal – Justin James Willis… Born 6/8/99 in Melrose, Mass…. Son of Albert and Janette Aguero… father played Division III baseball at Stevens Institute… has one sibling, Athena… Nickname is Willy, Candela… Favorites include: Marcus Stroman (player), New York Mets (team), J.J. Redick (pro athlete — non baseball player), Basketball (other sport), NBA 2K (video game), Grown Ups 1 and 2, Think Like a Man (movie), Family Guy, Love it or List it (tv show), Adam Sandler (actor), Ropa Vieja (meal), Rap — Mike Stud, Red Hot Chili Peppers (music/singer/band), Iced Oatmeal Clif Bar (late night snack), Miami (vacation spot)… says if he wasn’t playing baseball he would be playing video games… names Seth Green as the actor to play him in a movie… uses Bold as one word to describe himself… lists closing the county championship his senior year as his most memorable athletic moment… chose Vanderbilt “because it was and still is the best combination of baseball and academics as a top-15 school in both aspects.”