Austin Upshaw, a former Chicago Cubs minor league player and standout at Kennesaw State, joins the Owls’ staff as the Volunteer Assistant Coach.
He comes to Kennesaw after spending the 2021 season at Bellarmine University, another ASUN conference program. There he served as the hitting and infield coach for the Knights' inaugural season in Division I baseball. In his year at Bellarmine, three of his position players were granted ASUN accolades. Josh Finerty was awarded First Team All-Conference, Matt Higgins Second Team All-Conference, and Davis Crane All-Freshman.
In 2019, after his playing days with the Cubs came to an end, Upshaw returned to Kennesaw State to complete his Bachelor’s Degree and serve the baseball team as a student assistant coach where he worked primarily with hitters and infielders. Kennesaw State finished 10-8 in the shortened 2020 season, but had several hitters lead the ASUN in hitting such as “Freshman All-American” Nick Hassan, “Most Impressive Hitter in the ASUN” Alex Carballo, and future Atlanta Braves draft pick Tyler Tolve.
From the summer of 2017-2019, Upshaw spent his time as an infielder in the Chicago Cubs organization. After being drafted 405th overall in the 13th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, he spent his first season in Low-A with the South Bend Cubs. In 2018, he was promoted to High-A Myrtle Beach, which was the highest level he would achieve. His career included 163 games with 657 plate appearances and 36 extra-base hits along the way.
Throughout 2016-2017, he spent his sophomore and junior year at Kennesaw State as a middle-of-the-lineup threat and first baseman. Over the span of two seasons, Upshaw played 109 games, hitting .339 with 15 homeruns, 30 doubles, 77 RBI, and 79 runs. He was a crucial part in the Owls winning the 2016 ASUN Conference Championship, where the team went 17-4 in conference play. A few awards he accumulated were: 2017 ASUN All-Conference Second Team, 2016 ASUN All-Conference Second Team, and a 2016 Louisville Slugger Player of the Week.
Upshaw received a Sports Management degree from Kennesaw State. He is a Buford, Ga. native.
