PBR talks with Southeastern Illinois commit Trey Bickel
December 2, 2011
Trey Bickel is a right handed pitcher and middle infielder from Mishawaka High School that recently committed to play at Southeastern Illinois College. Bickel, ranked 24th in the class of 2012, has a smooth and effortless delivery that produces a powerful arm. On the mound he has been up to 90 mph with his fastball and also has a plus breaking ball. He is also a solid middle infielder with quick feet and a quick release. We had a chance to talk with Bickel about his commitment…
PBR: As you enter your senior year of HS, where are you currently in the recruiting process?
Trey: I just committed to Southeastern Illinois the Friday before Thanksgiving.
PBR: Why did you choose Southeastern Illinois?
Trey: I feel that they give me the best opportunity to develop as an all around baseball player before moving on to a 4 year school. I really like Nico (Southeastern Head Coach), and how the plan to improve my game, and use me immediately.
PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year?
Trey: The expect me to come in and be in the starting rotation my first year. It’s a challenge that I’m excited about. There is an opening up the middle next year also, so I will have to compete just as hard in the field, and at the plate, as a I do on the mound.
PBR: What aspect of your game do you believe needs the most improvement?
Trey: I don’t like to settle. I haven’t even come close to reaching my full potential on the mound, or at the plate. So I will continue working on all aspects of my game.
PBR: You played for Pony Express this summer, how do you feel playing for them helped you?
Trey: My dad wanted me to get away from the local (Notre Dame) area, and see much better competition, and it happened to work out that Jon Richardson had a spot for someone with my abilities after a recommendation from Blake Hibler. I feel that by going up against some of the best players from different states has helped me the most by seeing what I’m able to get away with on the mound. It showed me how important spotting my pitches will be at the next level.
PBR: What preparation are you doing now for the upcoming high school season?
Trey: Working in the gym right now, and I will be starting my 5-6 days a week workouts in the next couple of weeks, inside the school of hard knocks both on the mound, and live pitching, along with cages to improve at the plate as well.
PBR: What are your goals for the upcoming 2012 season?
Trey: To be the best team leader possible for my last year of high school. Personally I would like to bat over .400 for the year, and improve my walks per game average, while keeping my ERA below 2.00.
PBR: At a Pastime Tournament at Miami of Ohio you touched 89 on the mound, was that the first time? What was it like to find out you hit 90 on the gun?
Trey: Not sure if it was the first time or not. There have been plenty of times that my arm has felt stronger than on that particular day. After I found out I hit 90, I was talking to my dad, and he said the fastest he was ever clocked was in 1986 by the Cincinnati Reds during a tryout at 89 mph. So having that on him will always be nice to hold over his head.
PBR: What were your stats for your 2011 HS season? Summer Season?
Trey: Spring - .368 BA, 34 runs, 17 RBI, .478 OBA, 18-20 SBs. Pitching 3.29 ERA, 54 Ks in 31 IP, .193 OBA.