Bartlett of Tennessee returns to Starkville
It has been a homecoming for Tennessee’s Max Bartlett this weekend.
The former Starkville High School player returned to town with the Volunteers to participate in a three-game Southeastern Conference series against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
After Friday’s 5-4 loss to the Bulldogs, Bartlett got a chance to see former Yellowjacket teammates and spent a little time with family on Saturday.
Bartlett also enjoyed competing against MSU at Dudy Noble Field where his father Chuck played for the Bulldogs from 1982-83.
“Coming back here and playing at Dudy Noble Field, the atmosphere is great,” Max Bartlett said. “I have a lot of family here and to play in front of them is a special thing and fun.”
Bartlett played for coaches Danny Carlisle and Brian Jones at SHS, then continued his baseball career at Gulf Coast Community College.
That’s where he was discovered by Tennessee coach Dave Serrano.
“In my sophomore year (at Gulf Coast) during the fall, Tennessee came to watch me play and it went from there,” Bartlett said. “I took a visit and I eventually signed that October-November.”
In his first season with the Vols, Bartlett started 44 games. He had a .201 batting average with seven doubles and 11 RBI. One of those RBI came in the Southeastern Conference Tournament against LSU.
Bartlett did not receive a great amount of playing time early in the season for Tennessee and Serrano said he did a good job handling a little bit of adversity.
“After starting the majority of he games last year for us (in 2016), Max had to deal with being in a reserve role when this year’s season started,” Serrano said. “I commend him on how he handled it the right way. When he was given a chance, he performed well and has really played well as of late for us.”
Prior to late Saturday night action against Mississippi State, Bartlett had a .360 batting average so far this season for the Vols with nine hits in 25 at-bats. He has two doubles, driving in five runs and scored four times.
In his two starts against South Carolina in Tennessee’s Southeastern Conference opener, Bartlett went 3-for-6 with a double and RBI.
“It feels good right now,” Bartlett said. “I’m seeing the ball well and I’m taking good at-bats.”
Bartlett likes the way the Vols have played defensively recently and hopes they can string together some wins as the season moves along.
After his college career comes to a close, Bartlett would like to be given an opportunity in professional baseball.
A coaching career may be next if nothing happens in the draft and wouldn’t mind being a graduate assistant at MSU one day.
“It would be anywhere I had an opportunity to get my foot in the coaching door and at the same time, further my education,” Bartlett said.
Serrano has been pleased with Bartlett’s growth and maturity during his time at Tennessee.
He believes Bartlett will be successful in whatever career path he takes.
“I believe Max will be given a chance to play beyond this season but knowing that he will be graduating from the University of Tennessee is the biggest compliment toward his growth,” Serrano said.