Commitment Spotlight: 18' Grant Mergen, LHP, Maple Lake
January 2, 2018
Having just rang in the new year, a new series of commitment spotlights will be filling the PBR MN homepage, with a plethora of 2018's having made their decisions for their academic and baseball futures. One such commitment comes from Grant Mergen, LHP from Maple Lake. The 6'2, 175lbs lefty will look to develop into the type of top-talent arm that St. Scholastica has become known for producing. A high hip line with broad shoulders almost guarantees size and strength are still to come down the road. Mechanically, Mergen has great balance with slight lean onto the balls of his feet at the time of delivery that helps to keep him directional toward the plate. Mergens cross-body delivery and high 3/4 slot helps to create angle deception on all three pitches. The future is bright for the Maple Lake southpaw and we wish nothing but the best to Grant in his continued development and congratulate him again on his commitment to St. Scholastica!
Grant Mergen
Class of 2018 / LHP
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2018
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Primary Position: LHPSecondary Position: 1B
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High School: Maple LakeState: MN
- Summer Team: Maple Lake Legion
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Height: 6-2Weight: 172lbs
- Bat/Throw: L/L
Statistics
Videos
(3/19/17)
PBR: Why did you choose St. Scholastica?
I loved the Duluth area and the campus, the culture in the baseball program was something I definitely wanted to be a part of.
PBR: What other schools were you considering?
UMD, UW-Lacrosse, St.Thomas, Gustavus.
PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with him (Phone calls, on-campus visits, etc.)?
I think Coach Kemp first saw me pitch in the 2016 State Semi-Final game.
PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
The training programs there, I felt like CSS gave me the greatest opportunity to get better at baseball. I also liked the small campus.
PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
My Dad, my teammates, and Coach Marquardt.
PBR: What plans do you have in store for you in your freshman season at your new school?
I’m going to make the most out of my opportunities freshman year and help the team win games whether it’s starting games or coming out of the bullpen.
PBR: What advice would you give to others that are currently or will soon be going through the recruiting process?
Enjoy the process, it’s definitely a fun time in your life.
PBR: Are you competing in any fall or winter sports?
No
Our team goal is to win the State Championship. I think our team is very good in all 3 aspects of the game, we have 8 returning starters from last years 3rd place team and I hope we can put it all together to win it.
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Scouting Report
3/20/17- 6-foot-2, 172-pound left-handed pitcher. Lean projectable build. Short turn into balance point, gathers over rubber, lands on-line to plate and is upright on release. Long arm action with short finish producing 80-82 mph fastballs, on downhill plane, with flashes of late action. 2/8 breaking ball has small shape with late break. Avg. command of firm changeup with flat action.
7/6/16- 6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed pitcher. Short balance point, lands hard across body, stiff arm action, upright finish on release. Fastball shows arm-side run at 77-81 mph. Tight spin on breaking ball, 65-68 mph, and is currently his best pitch. Changeup has run and sink at 70-71 mph. Raw mechanically, has attributes to work with, follow in MN 2018 class with continued development.