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Commitment Spotlight- '17 Jared Thompson, 1B/LHP, Vinton-Shellsburg

November 8, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

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Jared Thompson

Name: Jared Thompson
Position: 1B/LHP
Class: 2017
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 175-pounds
High School: Vinton-Shellsburg
PBR Rank: #43 in IA 2017 Class

Evaluation: 8/7/16- 6-foot-4, 175-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean projectable build. High hands with square setup, off-time during BP, high back elbow effects swing plane, flashes solid line drive contact to middle of field, 86 mph exit velocity. Athletic fielder, works from ground up, soft hands, fields out front, with well above avg. arm for position, 87 mph arm strength across infield. Good enough runner and athleticism could translate to outfield. Easy loose actions on mound, good body control, and has direction to plate. Long clean arm action producing 81-83 mph fastballs. Curveball was 70-71 mph with occasional early break. Changeup was 75-76 mph. Projects on mound and should continue to add velocity.

PBR: Why did you choose Iowa Central CC? 
THOMPSON: I chose Iowa Central because I have had a very good relationship with Coach Meyer for about a year. It is a good fit for me academically and athletically and I know they will help me develop into a better ball player.

PBR: What other schools were you considering? 
THOMPSON: I was considering Heartland CC and Marshalltown CC at the end.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them? 
THOMPSON: The coaching staff first saw me at a Hawkeye baseball camp. They called me right after the camp and we pretty much kept in contact since then.

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school? 
THOMPSON: I am very relieved that the recruiting process is over.  It was a great experience, but now I can focus on playing the game and having fun with it.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
THOMPSON: I have a good relationship with the coaches and they have a good plan for my rehab with my Tommy John surgery.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today? 
THOMPSON: My dad helped me a lot with the recruiting process as well as helping me to be the ball player that I am today.  My pitching coach Mike Russ helped me a lot with gaining velocity and pitching overall.   My high school coach, Coach Struve, taught me to understand what is important in the game and not to get caught up in my failures.  I also owe a lot to my USSSA travel team coaches, Coach Edwards and Coach Smith.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult? 
THOMPSON: I didn’t think at first that I would have to reach out as much as I did.  It takes a lot of time and effort but it is worth it.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season? 
THOMPSON: Mostly making sure I am ready to pitch in the spring and recover fully from Tommy John surgery.  If I rehab well I should get innings.  I hope to have the chance to be a two-way player for them.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date? 
THOMPSON: My most memorable baseball memory would be winning sub-state my sophomore year. It was an amazing feeling.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against? 
THOMPSON: I’d say either Spencer Van Scoyoc or Mitch Keller.

 

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