Q&A with Stephen Hernandez
December 2, 2021
The recruiting process is something that varies from athlete to athlete. Each player is going to go down their own path, on their own timeline. There is no right way to navigate through the process. Players often attend camps/showcases, take calls with coaches, are seen during spring/summer competition, all to achieve that goal of playing at the next level.
Since every athlete's recruiting experience is different, we want to shine some light on a few different prospects from the 2022 class who are willing to share their experiences with us. Today, we will be looking deeper into LHP Stephen Hernandez (Perry, 2022) recruiting and on field experiences up to this point.
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Stephen Hernandez LHP / OF / Perry, AZ / 2022Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 3
(6/22/21) Two-way prospect, lanky athletic build, good athleticism with room to add some physicality. LHH, hits from a tall narrow stance with AA pop to pull side. Worked his FB up to 90 mph towards the end of the summer with offspeed that showed upside.
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PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?
Hernandez: "I wasn’t sure what to expect from the recruiting process. It did get tough at times as I wanted to make sure I made the right decision."
PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Hernandez: "I was looking for was a good coach who was trying to develop players and a well rounded program."
PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Hernandez: "At the beginning of my high school career I always wanted to go anywhere but Arizona. Then, I started traveling for club ball and realized that Arizona wasn’t a bad spot. Also, wanted to be close to my family."
PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?
Hernandez: "The recruiting process started to pick up my Junior summer. I started getting recognized at one of the PBR events and Area code tryouts."
PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Hernandez: "The conversation on my visit I had with the ASU coaching staff. They seemed to really understand me and where I was trying to go in the next couple years. Another factor it was closer to home."
PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Hernandez: "Best player I faced was Gavin Turley. He is a really good hitter with outstanding power."
PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Hernandez: "Be patient with the recruiting process. Your time will come even if it’s later than your friends. Don’t rush anything and find the school that best fits you."
PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this date?
Hernandez: "Most memorable moment is when I got first team all region and first team all CUSD after Covid took my season away my sophomore season. I focused on not letting that affect me and continued to work on my game throughout the downtime so I would be ready to go when we would be allowed to play again."
PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?
Hernandez: "I expect a lot from Perry. We will definitely be underrated. Our goal is to win the region and make it to championship game."
PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?
Hernandez: "I played with the Marucci Athletics. They helped me get to where I’m at today. Best experience was meeting new people and just building that brotherhood with them."
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| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Tucson Preseason ID | AZ | 01/08 | Cienega High School - Vail, AZ |
| Phoenix Preseason ID | AZ | 01/23 | Grand Canyon University - Phoenix, AZ |
| Preseason All-State Games: Underclass (Invite-Only) | AZ | 01/29 | Apollo High School - Glendale, AZ |
| Preseason All-State Games: Upperclass (Invite-Only) | AZ | 01/30 | Apollo High School - Glendale, AZ |
| Super 60 Pro Showcase | NATIONAL | 02/06 | The MAX - McCook, Ill. |