Commitment Q&A With Harvard Signee Vedant Sharma
January 22, 2024
VEDANT SHARMA (HARVARD UNIVERSITY COMMIT)
Vedant Sharma RHP / Fossil Ridge, CO / 2025Sharma is one of the fastest risers in the state over the last year thanks to ramping the fastball up to 92 mph during the 2023 Future Games down in Georgia. Sharma's physical frame helps give him a unique fastball with quality spin along with a competitive off-speed and changeup. The fastball on Sharma can get up to over 2,200 RPMs of spin with a max IVB (induced vertical break) of nearly 20. We can also tell you that the academics on Sharma are extremely high, which has helped him secure a landing spot at Harvard University.
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OUR Q&A:
PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Sharma: I talked to a of couple programs during my sophomore winter and I expected it to heat up during the summer, as it did. My main requirements for a college program were high academics and a chance to develop as a pitcher. Harvard being a prestigious Ivy League school, and having two RHP’s drafted last year fit the criteria for me.
PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Sharma: Distance did not really play a huge part, the campus/big city was the important factor for me.
PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
Sharma: The Pudge Rodriguez World Series in Texas was the first time our summer team really got seen by scouts, and my performance at the Prep Baseball Future Games was where most of my offers came from. Harvard first saw me at the WWBA in Georgia and then again at the Future Games.
PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Sharma: Talking to the players at Harvard and seeing the opportunities they had set up after their baseball careers were over was the biggest factor in me committing. I also liked that their recruiting classes are small, usually 6-7 guys per year, so there is a high chance I contribute as a Freshman.
PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Sharma: USC, Georgetown, Yale, UC San Diego were the other schools in my top 5.
PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?
Sharma: Brandon Sanchez was the best player I faced. He has a really compact frame and an elite hit tool, so there is almost no way to make him swing and miss.
PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Sharma: My 15u summer season, when I was in the mid 80s and having success against high-caliber out of state teams was when I started thinking about college baseball.
PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
Sharma: Throwing 6 scoreless innings against Stix Scout in Texas, #8 team in the country, and throwing 92 MPH at the Future games.
PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?
Sharma: I think Fossil Ridge has a solid chance to win the 5A state championship. We have a strong senior class, and 4-5 legit arms. We have some of the best hitters around the state, and if we click as a team I don’t see any way we are not playing deep in the state tourney.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
Northern Colorado Preseason ID | CO | 02/04 | The Sports Stable - Boulder, CO |
Super 60 Pro Showcase | NATIONAL | 02/04 | The MAX - McCook, IL |
Colorado Springs Preseason ID | CO | 02/11 | The Farm Sports |
Denver Preseason ID | CO | 02/17 | Marucci Clubhouse |
2024 Colorado Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | CO | 02/25 | The Farm Sports - Colorado Springs, CO |