Follow @pbrmichigan

Dillon Mitchell, INF, Memphis, Class of 2016

PBR: Why did you choose Olivet?

Mitchell: I chose Olivet College for a few different reasons. First, I love that coach Mahan and his staff has a lot of interest in me. They made me feel welcomed there the first time I stepped foot on campus back in the winter. They were losing a few middle infielders this year and coach really thought I would fit in well there. After I went on my visits I fell in love with the school. It's exactly what I wanted as a student athlete. Smaller classroom sizes and one on one with the professors was a must for me. Olivet offers all of that.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Mitchell: Other schools I had considered were Concordia, Ann Arbor, Albion, Hope, and Alma.

PBR: Where did coaches first see you? How did your relationship develop with the coaching staff?

Mitchell: Coach Mahan seen me last summer when I attended the Under Armor Top 96 showcase camp at Spring Arbor University. Our relationship started by email. Coach reached out to me, he seen me at the showcase and was interested in bringing me in. He invited me to their winter camp and it went from there

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

Mitchell: Coach said he wants me to come in as a freshmen and play right away. He likes my footwork and glove actions at MIF.

PBR: What summer team do you play on and how has travel baseball helped your development as a player?

Mitchell:  I play on the Michigan Brewers 17u team which is owned by Complete Athletics. Summer/travel ball has help me in a lot of ways in my development as a player. Especially as a middle infielder. Not many coaches can see where a player will develop at the age of 10-12. So it was important to me at a young age to find a team that will give me the opportunity to develop as a middle infielder. I'm thankful for the opportunity that some coaches said no and some said yes to me. It made me work harder as a player to develop. 

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

Mitchell:  My dad has had the biggest impact on me as a player. He pushed me to work on the little things as a player. Every day we would go to the fields to take grounders and BP and spent hours there. He stressed that my footwork and technique were more important than my strength when I was younger. After every game he tells me what I did well and what I did bad or what I can do better. 

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced?

Mitchell: The toughest pitcher I faced in MI belongs to my teammate 2016 RHP Aaron Gillespie. I face him in BP and in summer ball. If I had to pick another pitcher it would probably be Cass City P Mason Erla.