One of the main reasons Beast United has compiled a record of 83-12-4 over the past two seasons is the presence of Shaun McMillan.
Prior to coming to the Beast, he played with Camelot Knights and was a home run hitting machine–crushing 31 and driving in 123 runs over 109 games with them.
Despite being the youngest player on the team, he has made his impact felt in a big way contributing as the No. 4 hitter, catcher and also on the mound.
“As the youngest player on our team, he has a very mature style of play, he always shows up ready to work hard. He is a big part of our pitching staff and lineup,” said his Head Coach James Labartino.
He is currently at the Progressive School of Long Island in Merrick, which does not field a baseball team. The family is still deciding which high school to send him to. Wherever he ends up will receive one of the most promising young players on Long Island, standing at a physically-imposing 6’0 190 lbs at 13-years-old.
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
You have some prodigious power for a young man. Where do you think that came from?
I think I developed my power first from genetics. Being 6 foot and 190 lbs at 13 would come with a lot of strength especially in my legs. Also, my dad is pretty big and I have some big relatives on my mother’s side of the family too. Second would be from the time I put in the gym. I definitely could’ve gotten stronger if I had put more effort into getting better last offseason.
2018 was another great season for you. What was your favorite moment of the year?
I think my favorite moment of the season was when we were playing one of the last tournaments of the season. We were playing in a semifinal game, a year up against one of the other Beast teams. I started and got into a jam and gave up what was called a grand slam but everybody there knew it was a foul ball. In my second at bat we were down three, and the pitcher threw me a fastball at the chest and I put a good swing on it and it got over the fence. I kinda felt bad for the umpire because everyone in the stands on our side was making jokes about how my home run was actually fair. We didn’t win the game but it was still a fun memory to look back on.
Baseball players are very superstitious by nature. Do you have any routines?
I would say that the one superstition that I have is that If I play well one day I’d try to do the exact same thing the next day. I’d eat the same breakfast, have the same warmup routine and listen to the same music.
What is the area you are most focused on improving in 2019?
I think the thing that I’m trying to improve on in 2019 is consistency. Being consistent with runners in scoring position, not trying to do too much and just getting the guy in. Also limiting free bases when I’m pitching and not trying to play like I’m all on my own out there. That’s why theres 7 people behind me ready to field the ball.
Do you have any hobbies outside of baseball?
When I’m not playing baseball I like to play the guitar and I also would consider myself decent at cooking.
Who are your biggest influences in life?
I’d have to say right now the biggest influences in my life are my parents and my brother. I try as much as possible to listen to what my parents say and make lessons out of my mistakes. I’m also always competing with my older brother, Jayden. On the last day of school we play this big football game and I always get stuck guarding him since I’m closest to his size so I just try my best to keep up.
Who are your favorite players in Major League Baseball?
My favorite players are probably Aaron Judge right now and Derek Jeter. I like Aaron Judge because I’m a huge yankee fan and because I like to think that were kind of similar in case of big guys with lots of pop off the bat. I like Jeter because he was always consistent and I looked up to him a lot growing up not just as a baseball player.
