Criminals Josef Pastrana commits to play Division I baseball at University of Michigan

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - A dream that started on the local baseball diamond is turning into reality for one Yuma High School athlete.

17-year-old Josef Pastrana has committed to play Division I baseball at the University of Michigan, earning an opportunity to continue his career at one of the most historic programs in college baseball.

The 6-foot-4 junior has developed into one of the top players in the area, throwing in the low 90s as a right-handed pitcher while also contributing at first base. Pastrana has also excelled in the classroom, maintaining a 4.1 GPA while balancing the demands of being a student-athlete.

Yuma head coach Nick Johnson, who is in his 11th season leading the Criminals, said Pastrana's combination of talent, academics and determination has made him stand out.

"With Josef, he knows what he wants to do. You know, he wants to get an education. He wants to play baseball," Coach Johnson said. "He's a 4.1 GPA. And then he goes out there and can throw the ball 90, 91 miles an hour from the right side. It's a really good thing to see a kid have a goal in mind. And he's not going to let anything get in his way of going to get it."

Johnson has helped establish a strong baseball culture at Yuma High, with 17 players earning college commitments over the last three years.

Pastrana's path to Michigan included competing with Brewers Trosky National, a high-level travel baseball program that gave him opportunities to face some of the top young talent in the country.

During a tournament in Fort Myers, Florida, Pastrana caught the attention of Michigan scouts, who began showing interest in the right-hander before he even left the mound.

However, the journey to earning a Division I opportunity required years of dedication. Pastrana said he did not get involved in baseball until he was around nine years old, but quickly developed a passion for the game.

"I've put in a lot of work, and I can thank my parents a lot more for a lot that they sacrificed," Pastrana said. "It hasn't been easy for them, so I'm really thankful for them. I would not be where I am without them and everything they've done for me, and I just work as hard as I can."

That support has been a family effort. His father, Eric Pastrana, has been alongside him throughout the recruiting process and now serves as a first-year volunteer assistant coach with the Criminals.

Eric said he has been impressed with how his son has handled the recruiting process at just 17 years old.

"He's made it kind of seamless. It's been really, really well presented on his part as far as what he wanted to do with his life and then how he's approached everything," Eric Pastrana said. "It's been almost nonchalant, which is really cool to see out of a 17-year-old."

The commitment marks a major milestone, especially considering the history of the program he will be joining. Michigan ranks third all-time in NCAA baseball victories, with nearly 3,000 wins in program history.

For Josef, however, the opportunity means more than just taking his talents to the next level. He hopes his commitment can help change perceptions of Yuma and show other local athletes that opportunities to compete at the collegiate level are within reach.

"As far as I know, not many kids have made it that far out of Yuma," Pastrana said. "For me especially to be someone that can turn that around, hopefully, and bring a better look to Yuma for all colleges and all these kids here that deserve a chance to keep playing at the next level."

Although the commitment is secured, Pastrana still has work to do at the high school level before heading to Ann Arbor.

He is expected to join the Wolverines for his freshman season in 2029.