Aspects of Bernard Shivers‘ personality have changed these past few months.
His stature in the Scotland Campus (PA) locker room, where the well-built outfielder has developed a commanding voice and a presence teammates feed off, has catapulted him into a leadership role.
The tight-knit campus environment has enabled Shivers to shed his demure side, as the once introverted star has become more outgoing.
And those dazzling outfield catches, those which only an elite core of ball players and freakish athletic talents can even simulate?
Well, they’ve been instrumental in generating an uptick in buzz that has reverberated throughout the MLB.
A Jersey City, N.J. native, Shivers has undergone 2019 Pre-Draft workouts with multiple MLB teams this spring. His ultimate goal, one appearing more realistic by the day, is to be selected in this week’s MLB Draft.
Beyond a canon arm, Shivers’ bedrock assets are his speed (6.4-6.5 60 yard speed), strong hands, wrists, elite defense and an explosive swing.
In his post-graduate season at Scotland Campus, Shivers was able to prolong the eye-widening numbers he registered at Snyder High (N.J.).
After hitting a sublime .431 (25-for-58) with 15 extra base hits, 27 runs, 24 stolen bases, and four home runs, en route to First Team All-County honors, Shivers again hit over .400 at Scotland Campus.
His knack for swiping bases and delivering with runners in scoring position set a loud tone for the first-year program. In under a year’s worth of both national and overseas recruiting, arduous workouts, fall ball, and a competitive spring slate against top-tier junior colleges, Todd Weldon’s Scotland Campus program has become a veritable launchpad for collegiate baseball careers.
“The part of (Shivers’) game that has made the most improvements is his running game,” said Scotland Campus head coach Weldon, who starred as a pitcher at Wayland Baptist (TX) and spent time in the New York Mets minor league system.
“He worked hard on learning his ‘lead’ and being aware of what to look for, as far as a pitcher’s move and what counts are good to take bags on. He’s got great bat speed for his age and this will continue to develop. He’ll learn an approach that will allow his speed to play on the base paths.”
An increase in attitude and newfound work ethic have grown as rapidly as Shivers’ draft stock.
“Bernard above all is a phenomenal athlete who comes to play on gameday, regardless of who the opponent is,” said teammate and catcher Danny Mireles, who will prolong his career at Patrick Henry College (VA).
“He’s got a bullish frame and he’s exceptionally fast. This really made him a threat to swipe bags throughout the season. Beyond that, he has picked up his workload and become 100 percent devoted to his craft. I know he has the tools to traits to realize his dream, and that dream is to be an MLB player. I’m really stoked for him and looking forward to seeing the results.”
Weldon always envisioned Shivers quickly evolving into one of the faces of the program, ever since he arrived at the doorstep on a blistering hot August day.
And so with a heightening draft stock, Shivers may forgo his freshman season at NJCAA power Howard College and find himself a new hardball home on June 3-5.
“It’s been a blessing really,” said Shivers, who also starred as an All-State running back and linebacker while at Snyder.
“I think coach Todd and the staff here put me in the best position to be successful. Working with (strength and conditioning) coach Travis (Scott) and working on every muscle in my body and improving on a day to day basis, the preparation from being at Scotland has really helped. The secluded environment here, it took me to a place where I can focus and have an around the clock schedule. You know, grind first and ask questions later.”
Teammates, many from various countries, are in awe of Shivers’ natural capabilities.
“I think Bernard’s best attribute is his immense strength,” said teammate Jacob Rizio, who will play at Bryant and Stratton College in Virginia. “This strength really showed and was translatable to his power and his running skills, which ultimately helped him steal a lot of bags.
Growing up in rough and tumble Jersey City, Shivers has several vivid memories of his closest friends that he will cherish forever.
There are also, however, memories he would like to forget. Shivers can recall the loud unmistakable sound of gunshots permeating the walls of his house. He recalls rapid-fire gun shots jolting him out of sleep several nights, breaking into his solitary dreams intensely.
He’s lost several friends to gun violence over the last few years. The idea of earning a big ticket MLB salary and uprooting himself and his family to a better environment has served as a motivational factor.
Without his New Jersey roots, however, Shivers may have never capitalized on the opportunity at Scotland Campus. It was during his time in Jersey that Shivers befriended former Roselle Catholic basketball player Justice Kendall, a high-octane 5-foot-10 scoring guard from Baltimore originally.
Kendall, now plying is hoops trade at Husson College in Maine, was a key piece for No.1 nationally ranked Scotland Campus’ basketball team under Chris Chaney the year before.
When Shivers reached out about a prep school and a postgraduate year, Kendall sold his friend on the positive draws of Scotland. He quickly informed Shivers about the new baseball program coming that August.
As the program’s first ever player, Shivers might also leave his legacy as the first ever MLB draft pick.
“Bernard is an MLB-ready outfielder due to his high baseball IQ and overall athleticism. He gets great jumps, reads on the ball in the outfield. He made some plays this year that you will see out of professionals playing the game at the highest level. He’s got enough arm strength to keep baserunners honest.”
Teammate Billy Wheatley, a 6-foot-4 third basemen who is headed to Prince George’s College, describes Shivers’ athleticism as superior.
“I’ve played with tons of talented players in my career, but Shivers is an athlete that only comes around every so often,” Wheatley explained. “There would be moments when opposing players hit a ball hard and deep in the outfield. I would never get worried because he literally caught everything. When Bernard runs, it is like he is sped up and everyone else is in slow motion.”
