Prep Baseball Report

Western Michigan The Right Fit For Grand Rapids Christian Junior


Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Michigan Senior Writer

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Western Michigan The Right Fit For Grand Rapids Christian Junior

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Jackson Isaacs

Class of 2024 / OF

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2024
  • Primary Position: OF
    Secondary Position: LHP
  • High School: Grand Rapids Christian
    State: MI
  • Summer Team: USA Prime Scout
  • Height: 6-1
    Weight: 205lbs
  • Bat/Throw: L/L

Statistics

Pitching
78
Max FB
(06/22/21)
74 - 77
FB
(06/22/21)
67 - 68
CB
(06/22/21)
67 - 68
CH
(01/30/21)
Position
6.98
60-yard
(06/21/22)
66
INF Velo
81
OF Velo
(06/21/22)
98
Exit Velo
(07/27/22)
Power Speed Score
(07/27/22)
Position
60-yard
7.01
OF Velo
79
Exit Velo
98
Position
OF Velo
79
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
6.98
OF Velo
81
Exit Velo
96
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.24
OF Velo
76
Exit Velo
87
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.35
OF Velo
76
Exit Velo
91
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.41
OF Velo
77
Exit Velo
86
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
7.44
OF Velo
66
Exit Velo
83
Position
60-yard
7.44
OF Velo
66
Exit Velo
83
Trackman - Fastball
78.4
Velocity (max)
(06/22/21)
75.8 - 78.1
Velo Range
(06/22/21)
73.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
(06/22/21)
1998
Spin Rate (max)
(06/22/21)
1904
Spin Rate (avg)
(06/22/21)
IVB (max)
(07/28/20)
IVB (avg)
(01/30/21)
HM (max)
(06/22/21)
HM (avg)
(06/22/21)
Extension (avg)
(07/28/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(01/30/21)
Spin Score (max)
(06/22/21)
Zone %
(07/28/20)
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
78.4
Velo Range
75.8 - 78.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
73.3
Spin Rate (max)
1998
Spin Rate (avg)
1904
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
73.7
Velo Range
72.3 - 73.6
Eff Velocity (avg)
69.8
Spin Rate (max)
1743
Spin Rate (avg)
1536
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
75.8
Velo Range
74.9 - 75.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
72.1
Spin Rate (max)
1869
Spin Rate (avg)
1774
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
73.8
Velo Range
71.7 - 73
Eff Velocity (avg)
69.8
Spin Rate (max)
1661
Spin Rate (avg)
1532
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Curveball
67.6
Velocity (max)
(06/22/21)
65.9 - 67.4
Velo Range
(10/10/20)
63.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
(06/22/21)
1757
Spin Rate (max)
(06/22/21)
1757
Spin Rate (avg)
(06/22/21)
IVB (max)
(01/30/21)
IVB (avg)
(01/30/21)
HM (max)
(10/10/20)
HM (avg)
(06/22/21)
Extension (avg)
(07/28/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(01/30/21)
Spin Score (max)
(06/22/21)
Zone %
(06/22/21)
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
67.6
Eff Velocity (avg)
63.4
Spin Rate (max)
1757
Spin Rate (avg)
1757
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
63.3
Velo Range
61.5 - 63.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
58.7
Spin Rate (max)
1474
Spin Rate (avg)
1437
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
67.5
Velo Range
65.9 - 67.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
62.9
Spin Rate (max)
1535
Spin Rate (avg)
1488
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
63.2
Velo Range
61.1 - 63.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
58.7
Spin Rate (max)
1660
Spin Rate (avg)
1558
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Trackman - ChangeUp
67.9
Velocity (max)
(01/30/21)
64.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
(01/30/21)
1094
Spin Rate (max)
(01/30/21)
1094
Spin Rate (avg)
(01/30/21)
Extension (avg)
(01/30/21)
Release Ht (avg)
(01/30/21)
Spin Score (max)
(01/30/21)
Zone %
(01/30/21)
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
67.9
Eff Velocity (avg)
64.8
Spin Rate (max)
1094
Spin Rate (avg)
1094
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Hitting
98.1
Exit Velocity (max)
(07/27/22)
90.9
Exit Velocity (avg)
(07/27/22)
261
Distance (avg)
(06/21/22)
366
Distance (max)
(06/21/22)
Hard Hit %
(06/21/22)
Sweet Spot %
(01/30/21)
Line Drive %
(01/30/21)
Fly Ball %
(06/22/21)
Ground Ball %
(07/27/22)
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
98.1
Exit Velocity (avg)
90.9
Distance (avg)
253
Distance (max)
357
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
96
Exit Velocity (avg)
85.4
Distance (avg)
261
Distance (max)
366
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
86.8
Exit Velocity (avg)
78
Distance (avg)
257
Distance (max)
324
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
90.8
Exit Velocity (avg)
81.7
Distance (avg)
188
Distance (max)
288
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
85.9
Exit Velocity (avg)
67.6
Distance (avg)
185
Distance (max)
310
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Blast - Hitting
22.9
Hand Speed (max)
(06/22/21)
21.6
Hand Speed (avg)
(01/30/21)
73.5
Bat Speed (max)
(07/27/22)
70.2
Bat Speed (avg)
(07/27/22)
Rot. Acc (max)
(06/22/21)
Rot. Acc (avg)
(06/22/21)
On Plane Eff (avg)
(06/22/21)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
(06/22/21)
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
22.8
Hand Speed (avg)
21.3
Bat Speed (max)
73.5
Bat Speed (avg)
70.2
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
22.9
Hand Speed (avg)
21.6
Bat Speed (max)
72.4
Bat Speed (avg)
69.6
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
22.3
Hand Speed (avg)
21.6
Bat Speed (max)
68.7
Bat Speed (avg)
66.7
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
22
Hand Speed (avg)
20.8
Bat Speed (max)
71
Bat Speed (avg)
67.3
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
21.5
Hand Speed (avg)
21.5
Bat Speed (max)
65.3
Bat Speed (avg)
65.3
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency

Vizual_Edge

Visual Skills
70.35
Edge Score
(07/27/22)
Visual Skills
Edge Score
70.35

Pitch_Scores

Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
(10/10/20)
Rise+
(07/28/20)
Sink+
(10/10/20)
Pitch Scores - Curveball
Hammer+
(06/22/21)
Sweep+
(06/22/21)

Swift

Swift
1.82
10-yd
(07/27/22)
3.99
30-yd
(07/27/22)
7.01
60-yd
(07/27/22)
20.3
Run speed (max)
(07/27/22)
8.6
Run Speed (avg)
(07/27/22)
2.21
RSi (max)
(07/27/22)
2.21
RSi (avg)
(07/27/22)
1830
Jump Power (max)
(07/27/22)
29.1
Jump Height (max)
(07/27/22)
28.8
Jump Height (avg)
(07/27/22)
Swift
10-yd
1.82
30-yd
3.99
60-yd
7.01
Run speed (max)
20.3
Run Speed (avg)
8.6
RSi (max)
2.21
RSi (avg)
2.21
Jump Power (max)
1830
Jump Height (max)
29.1
Jump Height (avg)
28.8

Western Michigan The Right Fit For Grand Rapids Christian Junior

GRAND RAPIDS - While Jackson Isaacs is looking to help bring Grand Rapids Christian a state championship this season after finishing as Division 2 state runners-up a year ago, the junior standout is no longer looking for a future home in college. A recent commitment to Western Michigan brought a quick end to his recruitment, checking one goal off his list.

“My process started right after Futures when the school year started,” reflected the fourth-rated 2024 outfielder in Michigan in reference to the PBR Future Games at the beginning of August. “I had my first call with Cory Mee, the associate head coach at Western, and after that had multiple calls with him. Then I had a call with (assistant coach) Jordan Keur and set up an unofficial visit with a group of kids to see the campus and what it’s like to be a baseball player at Western Michigan.”

The four-month process culminated in an offer from head coach Billy Gernon.

“I went to a basketball game and had my first contact with coach Gernon,” Isaacs related. “We talked a few weeks later and I went back there and he gave me an offer.”

It was an easy decision for the 6-1 190-pounder, who had interest from Dayton and Fordham along with “a couple D2 schools, particularly Davenport, and a couple D3 schools, particularly Hope College” before Western became the school of choice.

“When I first stepped on campus I knew it was home for me,” Isaacs noted. “We got a tour of the business building, we went through dorms, we had lunch with the coaches and met some players. Then I met with coach Gernon and he gave me an offer. I knew it was the right fit and I called him later and said I’d be honored to be a Bronco.

“In my meeting with coach Gernon he was completely honest and in my mind the right fit for me,” Isaacs added. “The school offers an amazing education and they have a group of guys that are family. I felt coach Gernon is a guy I could call in my 40s. He told me things he likes to bring like unconditional trust and legacy. That really stuck to me. It’s the right spot for me.”

The left-handed hitting outfielder has qualities that attracted the Mid-American Conference coaches at Western Michigan.

“They like my bat, and told me I’m very projectable,” Isaacs said. “I was smoking balls at camp and coach Gernon said afterward he was very impressed. Another thing that stood out to them was that I would fit in very quickly as someone they can trust. That’s why I think they think I can fit in right away.”

The first outfielder to be recruited by Western Michigan out of the 2024 class pointed to a trio of coaches that helped him get to this point.

“I wouldn’t be where I am if not for him,” Isaacs said of Matt Sheets, the head coach and owner of Around the Horn Baseball. “Brent Gates had coached me in elementary school and came back as head coach my freshman year of high school with assistant coach Mike Paul looking for a state championship. Coach Gates played seven years in MLB and coach Paul has been getting people drafted as a pitcher for as long as I can remember.”

A left-handed hurler in addition to outfielder in high school, Isaacs is appreciative to have the chance to play D-I baseball an hour from home.

“I want to say I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity Western gave me,” the 29th-ranked 2023 outfielder in Michigan said. “I want to be the greatest leader I can possibly be on and off the field. I’m a competitor. My goal is to help the team in the MAC. I feel I can help us win a MAC championship.”

Recent improvement brings a lot of confidence to the 17-year-old.

“The biggest improvement I’ve made is I’ve grown in my mental side of the game,” Isaacs explained. “It’s gotten to the point where I'm not afraid of any pitcher. I’m stepping into the box and it’s getting barrelled. My bat is topping out now at 100 exit. I’ve also focused on growing arm strength. I’ve gained a lot there with the program they have at USA Prime.”

A commitment to the university located in Kalamazoo brought plenty of satisfaction to Isaacs, who carries a 3.5 GPA and will most likely enter the field of finance in college.

“Everybody was super proud of me,” Isaacs said. “They know it was well deserved. I’m proud, too. It’s an honor. But the work starts now. My goal is to get as big and strong and fast as players currently on the Western Michigan roster and to just grow as a person.”

It has Isaacs ready to make an impact once his high school days conclude and the time comes to play at the next level.

“I’m looking forward to being with the guys, winning a bunch of games, grinding in the weight room at practice and in games and collaborating to win those close games,” Isaacs concluded. “Those are things I’m looking forward to.”



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