The Arkansas Razorback baseball program is rich in college baseball history.  The Razorbacks have appeared in five College World Series, including a runner-up finish in 1979, and have 21 NCAA postseason appearances to its credit.  Razorback baseball has a unique and storied program that includes legendary players, coaches, and games, making them one of the nation’s elite programs. 

Norwell’s Jonah Patten will be joining the storied program in the fall of 2014, with hopes of adding to the Razorbacks’ rich history in college baseball.  Patten is a 6-foot-3, 190 pound right handed pitcher that has been clocked as high as 92 mph with his fastball, actually touching 92 mph on multiple occasions at the Prep Baseball Report’s Midwest Futures Games earlier this month. 

We recently had the opportunity to ask Patten about his recent commitment, among many other baseball related topics:

PBR: What are final stats for Norwell last season?

Patten:  Hitting – At Bat: 84, AVG: .417, SLUG: .619, RBI: 25, HR: 3, 2B: 24

               Pitching – Record: 4-2, ERA: 1.90, IP: 36, SO: 61, K/7 Rating: 11.86, WHIP: 1.31

PBR: What were your final stats for the Bulls this summer?

Patten: Hitting – At Bat: 42, AVG: .381, SLUG: .524, RBI: 10, HR: 0, 2B: 6

              Pitching – Record: 4-2, ERA: 1.37, IP: 36, SO: 41, K/7 Rating: 7.97, WHIP: 1.35

PBR: Describe you experience playing for the Indiana Bulls.

Patten:  Words cannot express the gratitude I have to the entire Indiana Bulls organization.  They have been extremely instrumental in my recruiting process from fielding the numerous calls from all the various college coaches, ensuring that our 16U Bulls Black team was showcasing in top national tournaments, answering all of my questions about various college baseball programs, etc.  Every college coach that I spoke with during my numerous college visits all shared their respect for the Bulls program and the quality of players that they continue to produce year end and year out.  In addition to the quality of the Bulls coaches and the program in general, they know what national tournaments to participate in to maximize the exposure of the Bulls players to the college recruiters – from summer season to the fall season. It has been my privilege to represent the Indiana Bulls.  I would recommend to any serious baseball player and their families to strongly consider playing for this great organization.

PBR: You had a lot of big time schools interested in you, why did you choose Arkansas?

Patten:  From the moment that I stepped foot on campus and met with Head Coach – Dave  VanHorn, Recruiting Coordinator/Hitting Coach – Todd Butler and Pitching Coach – Dave Jorn, I instantly connected with them as they exuded confidence in their renowned baseball program.  Obviously, the facilities from the baseball complex – which resembles any top minor league ball park, the academic center for student/athletes, to the entire campus was AWESOME.  My dream has always been to play in the SEC and have the opportunity to play in the College World Series.  Also, playing in front of 10,000 passionate fans at every home game is going to be exciting.  Finally, they were one of the few schools that had a Bachelor’s degree in the major that I am interested in pursuing - Sports Management.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Patten:  From a list of over 60 schools, I narrowed my list down to the following universities:  From the SEC: Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky.  From the ACC: North Carolina, Wake Forrest and Georgia Tech.  From the Big 12: TCU and Baylor.  From the Big East: Louisville.

PBR: Where did Arkansas first see you compete?

Patten:  It was when I was 15 years old and Dan Held and Quinn Moore from the Indiana Bulls asked me to attend the 18U Perfect Game WWBA World Series during the Fall Season in Jupiter, FL.  Coach Butler from Arkansas – during my recruiting visit - recently told me the story that he was simply driving his golf cart by the field we were playing and saw me on the mound.  He pulled up behind home plate where he gunned me throwing 88-89.  When he looked at his scouting sheet and saw that I was a 2014 grad, he immediately went up to Dan and Quinn – during the game – and told them that Arkansas was “all in”.  Since then, they have seen me at other national tournaments this summer – most recently would be when I threw with the 17U Bulls team during the 17U Perfect Game East Cobb Wood Bat Tournament in Atlanta, GA and then again the following week when I joined the 16U Bulls team during the Perfect Game East Cobb Wood Bat Tournament also in Atlanta, GA.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play during your first year on campus?

Patten:  The Arkansas coaches’ expectations are that I come in as a freshman and secure a weekend starting role.  Even though it is the SEC, they have communicated that based on my competitive nature, mound demeanor, and ability to command 4 pitches for strikes, that I can immediately help Arkansas make it back to the College World Series in Omaha.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player, and how do you feel that will help Arkansas?

Patten:  First and foremost is my work-ethic.  In order to be successful on the field, I learned at a young age from my Dad that I need to prepare by working hard off the field.  My workout routine for both in-season and off-season is tough and is all geared toward core strengthening, building a powerful lower body, increasing flexibility and range of motion.  I think my commitment to improving as a player will allow me to learn what the coaches want to teach to get me prepared to compete in the SEC conference.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Patten:  Absolutely and without question I would say my brother Noah – who is a sophomore at Indiana University.  During his playing days at Norwell and for the Fort Wayne Cubs, he was such a disciplined and competitive player.  He opted not to continue playing baseball in college as he chose a tough academic path to become an Attorney and attend Law School.  He showed me through his leadership to work hard, have a strong faith, be who I am and be confident in all that I do.  He was a huge part of my recruiting process as he attended all of my college visits.  The class with which Noah carries himself as a person he gains the respect of anyone who meets him.  In addition to Noah, I have to include my Dad.  His attention to teaching Noah and me the proper fundamentals of baseball at an early age and to play the game with a high level of passion is something that I still strive for today.  After dinner on most evenings, you could find all three of us outside working on various aspects of the game until it was dark and Mom was calling us in for bed.

PBR: What was your most exciting experience playing summer ball?

Patten:  I was selected by Team USA to represent the Great Lakes Region at the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, NC for an opportunity to make the 18U National Team.  There were 16 regions from across the country with players that were hand-picked by USA Baseball for their respected regions.  The baseball complex in Cary is unbelievable and to compete against the best 17 and 18 year old players from across the United States was a great experience.  If I am selected to wear USA across my chest and compete internationally, it will be one of my greatest baseball achievements of my young career.

PBR: You were a member of Team Indiana at the Midwest Futures games this summer, talk about your experience playing for Team Indiana and the overall event itself.

Patten:  I was humbled to be asked by Blake Hibler from PBR Indiana to be part of Team Indiana and compete against the best talent from the Midwest region.  I always enjoy competing against the best players and meeting new teammates from different areas of Indiana.  There were a number of Division 1 College recruiting coordinators at the event and I made the most of my opportunity to showcase my skills.  I enjoyed the format of the event as it flowed very well from Batting Practice to Fielding to the games.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher/hitter you have faced in Indiana?

Patten:  From a hitter’s perspective, I would say the toughest pitcher I faced would’ve been Will Coursen-Carr from South Side.  His slider was unhittable.  From a pitchers perspective, I would say Brian Hakes from Bellmont.

PBR:  What is your routine going into this off season?   Is there anything in particular you will be focusing on?

Patten:  I work out at Athletes with Purpose (AWP) out of Fort Wayne.  Mike Ledo – President of AWP recently started a baseball pitcher specific workout in lieu of assisting Jarrod Parker in his Tommy John rehab process.  Once the fall baseball schedule is complete at the end of October, I will shut down all throwing efforts and begin my off-season routine in November – which will run to the end of March.  My focus will be to gain 10 pounds, improve core and back strength, build mass in my legs, and continue to increase my range of motion and flexibility.

PBR:  Current Oakland Athletics pitcher Jarrod Parker went to Norwell HS.  Have you ever had the chance to meet him and talk to him?  If so, what advice has he given you if any?  Is he someone you look up to being that he?s from your same high school?

Patten:  I have not had the privilege of meeting or talking with Jarrod.  No question, Jarrod has had an amazing baseball journey since his days at Norwell High School.  It is an honor to play for Norwell and the rich baseball tradition that players like Jarrod have established.

PBR:  Now that you?ve committed, what are your goals both individually and for your HS team going into next spring?

Patten:  The goals that the players have for Norwell High School baseball is to make a deep post-season run.  We have over 9 players returning that were main contributors from last year’s team.  New head coach Andy McClain has met with most of the team and shared his philosophies and expectations.  We are excited for the season to begin and compete in the tough NHC Conference.

Individually, my goal is to continue to improve as a baseball player.  I want to help my high school team achieve the goals mentioned above.