A 1994 graduate of Cherokee High School, Michael lettered four years in baseball, two years in basketball, one year in track and one year in cross country. He was chosen the Cherokee High School Athlete of the year in 1994 and was a team captain in both basketball and baseball. Michael was an outstanding baseball player with a record of 14-7 as a pitcher, was the Indians Most Valuable Payer as a senior, batting .394, All-Area as a pitcher and advanced through four rounds of Lions Club All-Star games while being selected MVP in two games. Additionally, in 1994 he pitched for Florence Post II in American Legion Baseball leading their team with 13-1 record as the team won the State American Legion Championship and was the Alabama State MVP. Following high school Michael signed a scholarship with Calhoun Community College where he was selected as one of the top twenty five Junior College players in the Nation by Baseball American. He threw a no-hit game in his first collegiate start and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1995 but chose to sign a scholarship to attend the University of Alabama where he was 6-1 in 1996-1998 Michael transferred to Lambuth University where he went 10-2 with an ERA of 2.34. Michael was selected NAIA All-American his senior campaign throwing two no-hitters and was drafted by the Texas Rangers. He played in the Rookie League in 1998 for Pulaski, Virginia and advanced to Class A baseball that same year playing for Charlotte, Florida.