D.J. Artis Shines on the Baseball Diamond

Nearly three years since he was first drafted, D.J. Artis is still donning Liberty University’s blue and red – for one more season at least.

Artis, a center fielder on Liberty’s baseball team, has collected multiple personal accomplishments during his collegiate experience including leading the Big South Conference in batting average (.359). He also finished second in the Big South with 23 stolen bases and was named Big South Player of the Year his sophomore season.

Growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina, Artis fell in love with America’s pastime when he was a child – a love that was passed down from his father, who was enamored with the game himself.

“My dad, he was a coach before I was even born, and he was addicted to baseball,” Artis said. “He kind of just placed a bat in my hand and I fell in love with it, started playing when I was 5 years old and been playing travel ball and all that since.”

As a child, Artis was a big fan of the Atlanta Braves, but his favorite player did not play in Atlanta; he played in New York for the Yankees.

“I loved Alex Rodriguez. Back then I didn’t know about the steroids like I do now, but I just loved watching him as a kid,” Artis said.

Although Artis is a different style player than “A-Rod,” he is still able to relatively generate the same kind of awe from spectators watching him play.

Artis played his high school ball at Southeast Guilford High School, where he was selected to the 2015 All-USA North Carolina team and drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 40th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Instead of signing with the Red Sox, however, Artis chose to go the college route, which is how he ended up at Liberty.

“It was the closest school that was on the top of my list, an hour and a half from my house. My family can make it to as many games as possible,” Artis said. “And (Liberty) was pretty good. They just went to two regionals back-to-back when I was trying to come here, so that played a big factor. It worked out ever since.”

In his first two years for the Flames, Artis posted incredible stat lines, highlighted by his on-base percentage of .532 in 2017, the second best in the nation according to libertyflames.com.

Artis’ stellar performance over the last two years has gotten him selected to two different preseason All-America teams in 2018, as well as Big South Preseason Player of the Year – recognition he does not put much stock into.

“It’s an honor, but I don’t really look much into the preseason,” Artis said. “I believe it when I see it. I just keep my head down and keep grinding.”

Earlier this month, Artis was named to the preseason watch list for USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award, which is the most prestigious award that can be bestowed upon an amateur baseball player. Past winners of the award include professionals like Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant and Stephen Strasburg. Artis has been put on the watch list along with 54 of the best high school and college players in the country.

“It’s just crazy,” Artis said. “That’s the biggest award I’ve ever been talked about getting, so that’s crazy on its own.”

Liberty is looking to rebound this year after losing in the first round of the Big South Conference Tournament in 2017, and Artis has high aspirations.

“We’re definitely a lot more talented I feel like than last year,” Artis said. “I’m just trying to do whatever I can to get this team to a regional.”

Regional or not, Artis will have a major decision to make after this season. Because he is a junior, he will be eligible for the MLB Draft for the second time in June. Artis is projected to be selected within the first three rounds, and some analysts have him going as high as the first round. Obviously, being a high-round pick has its benefits, but Artis says that decision is the furthest thing from his mind.

“We’ll worry about it when the time comes,” Artis said. “Right now, I’m just a junior here at Liberty, trying to get this team to the postseason.”

Liberty plays Binghamton in a three-game series, beginning Friday, Feb. 23, at Liberty Baseball Stadium.