Chemistry is not just something that exists in the science world; it’s something that’s important in team sports as well. Just ask Hoover second baseman and pitcher Emerson Milligan.
Milligan, who was named the team’s most improved player in the 2024 season, is looking forward to an outstanding baseball season for the Bucs, and one of the primary sources of optimism is the camaraderie that head coach Adam Moseley has helped build among the players and that exists as a natural extension of the players’ time on the diamond together.
“Most of the team—especially the senior class—has played together since they were in T-ball,” Milligan said. “I feel like our chemistry is really strong, even with some of the younger classmen. We’ve built relationships over the years, so I think chemistry is going to be a big thing for us.”
Milligan also has great faith in the team’s pitching staff this season. He says that several of the Bucs’ hurlers are throwing in the upper-80s/low 90s and are absolute grinders. They’ll need it, as an early season trip to Southern California and a loaded area–with teams like Oak Mountain and Hewitt-Trussville—will test the team’s mettle.
Though Emerson may be passionate about his sport and his team, it would be unfair to pigeonhole him into a baseball jock who cares only about his selected sport. He displays plenty of academic chops as well, holding a 4.2 GPA in the classroom while being a member of the National Honor Society. He has made the All-A honor roll for the last three years and has plans to pursue a degree in engineering after he graduates from Hoover this coming spring.
When asked how important academics is in the life of an athlete, Emerson says, “I think schoolwork is a really big deal. It’s very easy to get carried away with just playing baseball and not doing a lot of schoolwork, but it’s really important in the long run. And it also trains you in time management.”
Emerson’s comment certainly resonates in his own experience, as he was recently named the recipient of a presidential scholarship to The University of Alabama.
Outside of school and sports, Emerson loves to play golf, fish, hunt, and play basketball. He says his favorite weekend activity is playing golf and his favorite restaurant is Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux.
The son of Jason and Alyson Milligan, Emerson says his favorite thing about being an athlete at Hoover is the competitiveness. “If you come to Hoover to play, you’re going to play some of the toughest teams. We’re never shying down from competition.” TG
A special thanks to our sponsor, Delta Transfer. Need a mover? Please visit deltatransfer.com.
