Comparing a college athlete to a professional one is not an easy task; regardless of what criteria is used, the professional will more than likely come out on top. But, UT junior shortstop Zach Osborne has something about which not even the game’s greatest players today can boast: Zach Osborne is a World Series MVP, or at least of the miniature version.

In 2002, Osborne was a member of his native Louisville, Ky.’s Little League baseball team. That team not only qualified for the Little League World Series, but also won the whole series by downing the Sendai Hagashi Little League team of Sendai, Japan, 1-0.

For his efforts at bat, in the field and also as a pitcher, Osborne was chosen as MVP for the entire tournament.

“That was an unbelievable experience,” Osborne said. “Millions of people are watching you on TV, and thousands are in the stands. It was like playing in the big leagues as a 12-year-old. I actually have a trophy from it that’s taller than I am.”

From that point on, Osborne’s life began to revolve around baseball. When he’s not playing baseball in real life, he likes to do so virtually.

“MLB the Show is my new favorite game.” Osborne said. “In the ‘Road to the Show’ mode, you just got to create a guy. And I kind of put myself in there; you know, a shorter shortstop.”

It was an experience he had with baseball as a teenager that brought him to UT.

“My parents, brother and I came down here when I was 13,” Osborne said. “We watched a practice and I just turned to them and said, ‘I can play here.’ And ever since then, that was my goal.”

Osborne’s story of his journey to UT is another example of his own internal drive that allows him to reach his goals.

“I’m a smaller, scrappier player,” Osborne said. “Sometimes I feel like I got to go out there and make things happen.”

That driven mentality is something that senior teammate Josh Liles also sees in Osborne.

“He works so hard,” Liles said. “And he’s an unbelievable fielder. A lot of people walk up and think he’s kind of short, but once they see him out in the field they know why (he’s there).”

Osborne, who stands 5-foot-7, is not viewed by his teammates as being hindered by his short stature.

“I don’t really think size affects him that much at all,” Liles said. “He’s got some of the best hands I’ve ever seen and he’s got a good bit of power.”

As the season progresses, Osborne hopes to continue to do his best to get the Vols back to Omaha, Neb., for the College World Series. But to do so, he knows that it will take a lot of hard work.

“I have to improve my approach up at the plate,” Osborne said. “When I hit the ball, I tend to pull off balls when I shouldn’t, so I need to work on that.”

For the Vols, however, they might need Osborne to play like he did in 2002. And if he does not reach his goals in baseball, his MVP is a rare accomplishment that can never be taken away from him.

“That’s definitely something I’m going to tell the grandkids about,” Osborne said.