Catcher Tyler Albright was named captain of the baseball team, the first junior in many years to hold the position. But with the honor comes added responsibility. Harvard coach Joe Walsh expects his standout to step up at the plate and continue his stellar work behind it, guiding the Crimson’s staff of young pitchers.

Tyler Albright may be the first junior captain of Harvard baseball that coach Joe Walsh can remember, but the long-time catcher is no stranger to being in charge on the baseball field. That role comes naturally with being behind the plate.

“I think he was born in catcher’s gear,” Walsh says.

Actually, Albright started playing catcher when he was eight, taking the position for the first time in a little league practice.

And from that moment on, he knew it was where he belonged.

“You’re involved in every play,” Albright explains. “You control the game. I like being thrown in the action.”

Action hasn’t been in short supply for the junior captain since he arrived at Harvard, as Albright has been the starting catcher since his freshman year.

“I said, ‘Tyler, have you ever called your own game?’” Walsh recalls. “He said, ‘no,’ and I said, ‘Well you’re going to call one here,’ and he smiled.”

Albright has been in charge ever since, adding All-Ivy honorable mention honors his sophomore year. The junior was recently named the top Ivy League catcher by College Baseball Insider.

“He’s got a hose behind the plate,” Walsh says. “When he goes to a game that starts at 3:00, I think there’s going to be a lot of people coming at 2:30 to see the infield practice to see him throw.”

Albright’s arm, combined with his stellar field vision, can be quite intimidating.

“A lot of teams just won’t run on us because of Tyler,” Walsh observes. “A lot of that doesn’t show up in the stats. His presence really gives us a force behind the plate.”

Walsh is hoping Albright will emerge at the plate this season as well. Albright’s offensive numbers have improved over his two years with the Crimson, and Walsh thinks this might be the year for the catcher to make a name for himself with the bat.

“We need a force in the middle of the lineup,” the coach says. “We hope that force comes from Tyler. I think he welcomes the challenge.”

But while Albright will look to add to his offensive presence, defense has been his bread and butter from an early age.

“Growing up I always emulated [Ivan] ‘Pudge’ [Rodgriguez],” the California native notes. “He called the game well, [and] that’s my best asset.”