Prep Baseball Report

Inside the Recruitment: '17 RHP Jarrod Melle commits to UConn



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Jarrod MelleJarrod Melle, RHP, Lowell

PBR: Why did you choose UConn?
Jarrod: I had been in contact with the UConn coaching staff since this fall and decided that I would like to visit their campus. My Dad and I flew out and spent the weekend there getting to know some of the current players and coaching staff. UConn is a highly respected academic institution, with a great baseball program, with proven results. The coaching staff shared with me their future plans for making their program even better and how they would continue to develop me as a player. Also a big part of it was Coach MacDonald (pitching coach) and the way he reached out to many coaches I have pitched against. He knows the type of pitcher I am and I can't wait to get under his direction to develop my full potential. After my visit, I knew UConn was the right place for me to pursue my academic and athletic goals.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Jarrod: I had been talking to and/or visited several other schools since Mid-Summer, including Toledo, Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Ohio University, Eastern Michigan and U of M. I was also considering a great offer from Coach Mee at Toledo. I really appreciated the time Coach Mee and his coaching staff took to get to know me and my family.  

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you?
Jarrod: The UConn coaches first saw me at the Future Games pitching for Team Michigan. I received some other interest from schools after being seen at the Future Games as well. 

PBR: As a member of Team Michigan at the Future Games, how do you feel that helped you recruiting wise?
Jarrod: I truly credit my appearance with Team Michigan at the Future Games as being the only reason UConn took interest in me. There really wasn’t any other exposure that would have led them to me or vice versa. The Future Games provide tremendous exposure.

PBR: What team do you play for in the summer and what is your most memorable moment? 
Jarrod: I have played for Diamonds Sports Training in Grand Rapids since I was 11 years old, but have trained there for even longer. This year I will be playing again for the 18U team coached by owner Billy Peterson. 

I have played travel baseball since I was 6 years old and have many great memories; including, playing in 2 Disney World Series, getting to play twice at Cooperstown Dreams Park and representing the State of Michigan on 2 Team Michigan teams. But my most memorable moment is my freshman year when we, Lowell, beat Rockford in the District finals. I pitched a complete game and we won 2-1. It was the best game I have ever been a part of. My teammates made some amazing defensive plays and we beat a very talented team that was expected to go to the finals.

PBR: Now that you have committed, what are your remaining goals for high school?
Jarrod: Although I have committed, I still have a lot of goals for myself including helping my Lowell Baseball team make it as far as we can in the post-season. We have won the OK White Conference title two years in a row and I would like to contribute to winning it again over the next 2 years. I am also continuing to work on developing some additional pitches so I can be a contributing member to the Huskies as a Freshman. 

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter that you have faced?
Jarrod: One particular hitter really doesn’t stand out. I have faced a lot of good hitters, both in high school and travel, so it would be difficult to narrow it down to just one.