Sam Ryan isn’t done growing as a baseball player.

Sam Ryan Signing Photo Gallery

That’s what the Mexico senior thinks and made clear Friday when he signed to play for Central Methodist University in Fayette during a ceremony May 2 at the Mexico Sports Complex. Ryan has played all four years for Mexico and has earned an all-district honor during that time.

Ryan’s baseball career goes further back than high school as he said he started playing at 5 years old. Since then, he said playing in college was “always the dream” and now the dream is to be at his best on the diamond.

“It gives me the best possible chance of being the best possible player I can be,” Ryan said about signing with Central Methodist. “Their coach (Nate Breland) is very specific about what he does and how he improves players. He has a good record of improving players. That really stuck out to me — how I could develop to my full potential.”

Ryan said baseball is his father’s favorite sport and remembers watching the Kansas City Royals when he was growing up. The love for the game spread to him, and Ryan’s love for baseball isn’t limited to one part of it. 

The high school game often calls on players to play multiple positions and to be able to pitch and hit. Ryan has done both well, earning all-district honors last season with a 1.20 ERA and hitting above .400 so far this year, according to head coach Daniel McCarty. Central Methodist has shown interest in Ryan’s pitching and hitting, Ryan said, but it will be difficult to pick one over the other.

“Right now, I’m there for both,” Ryan said. “I said I can pick one when I get there and see what I excel at.”

McCarty said Ryan has grinded since his freshman year because he is a natural competitor, as he has witnessed in other sports as well such as basketball, and because he loves baseball. He said he is proud Ryan has the chance to continue his education at the next level when he studies business at Central Methodist. 

Since Ryan’s freshman year, McCarty said his skillset on the mound, at the plate and in the field as a third baseman has improved. However, he said Ryan has grown in another important way.

“His demeanor as a person and how he carries himself is what sets him apart from the rest,” McCarty said. “He’s a humble kid who just loves baseball. He’s always a grinder and is a competitor in all sports. That’s what makes him well-rounded and a role model for MHS.”

McCarty said Ryan left his mark on the program by pitching to a 13-5 record, with some more games left in his senior year. He said Ryan’s impact is even more indelible than just that.

“He’s always the first one to practice and is always the last one to leave,” McCarty said. “He set the bar high for the freshmen, sophomores and juniors. What he’s done is remarkable. He had like a 3.8 GPA, he’s able to play multiple sports and focus on baseball in the spring. To lose that role model and his leadership, we definitely have some shoes to fill after that.”

Two years ago, Mexico had Andrew Runge and Matt McCurdy sign to play baseball for Central Methodist. Ryan is the latest to join a Central Methodist program that has averaged 30-40 wins in recent years outside of the shortened COVID-19 season. 

Ryan said Central Methodist has already expressed ways he can be a better player and is excited to rise to that potential. However, he will not forget the fun times he had as a Bulldog. Mexico has won 54 games and counting in Ryan’s career. 

“There were a lot of ups and downs,” Ryan said. “We’ve lost players. We’ve gained players. It’s been a fun ride. I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else. I like this program, I like McCarty being the coach, and I like our teammates and that I got to play with them.”