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Q&A with Missouri State Commit LHP Dennis Yingling (Lindgergh, 2017)

October 7, 2015

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Dennis Yingling (Lindbergh, 2017) Yingling is a strong 6-foot-2 195-pound left-handed pitcher and right-handed hitting first baseman and has given his verbal commitment to Missouri State.  Yingling was a standout performer at the Underclass Games in June.

Yingling touched 87 mph, and worked 83-86 mph which was one of the top velos among left handed pitchers.  His delivery has some deception, as he works slightly across his body.  He has an over-the-top release with quick arm speed, throwing a high percentage of strikes.  Curveball at 65-68 mph, 2-to-8 shape, late action.  Change-up at 76 mph. Works the bottom of the zone with all three pitches. 

Offensively, Yingling ran a 7.10 60 and had an 89 mph exit velo.  Has balanced set up at the plate, open stance, lands open, leg kick, loose/strong hands, line drives to pull gap during batting practice.  On the infield, over-the-top release, fluid footwork, clean exchange, mostly accurate throw, positional velo at 77 mph.

Yingling was 7-0 this spring for the Flyers, ending with a 1.34 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 47 innings pitched. Here is a look inside the recruitment of Dennis Yingling.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Yingling: My expectation about the recruiting process was that it would be long and stressful. It turned out to be easy because of the relationships I built with the coaches from Missouri State. 

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Location played a factor in my decision because I wanted to stay in the state or close, so it wouldn’t be hard for family and friends to come to home games. This worked out even better because Springfield is my family’s hometown and it is where I was born.

PBR: Where did Missouri State first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Yingling: Coach Evans said he had heard my name around from other coaches and Pat Doyle, former Missouri State pitcher, talked to him about me. We arranged a phone call which went very well. I threw a bullpen in front of coaches there and it was all positive things from there on.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Yingling: Advice I would give to young players would be don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Go out and work and have a passion to play the game.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Yingling:I throw bullpens during the offseason with Lance Schuermann. I also lift weights, run, and take care of my arm.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Yingling: The most memorable moment in my baseball career to this point would be winning the District championship for Lindbergh for the first time since 1999.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Yingling: My choices were between Missouri State and Mizzou.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Yingling: The recruiting process started to heat up for me after doing well at PBR and Perfect Game events.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals? Name some players that will play a key role for Lindbergh in 2016.

Yingling: Lindbergh will have another good season this year, we are very junior heavy. The main goal would be to win a state championship this year and next, which it looks promising for that goal to be achieved next year with all of us coming back as seniors. Some key players would be the sophomores that produced on varsity this recent season, Roland Ounanian, Simon Desnoyer, and Jon Halstead.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Yingling: I play for St. Louis Naturals (Phillips) during the summer. My most memorable experience with them would be winning the Perfect Game Evoshield Classic on a walk off in the championship and being the MVPitcher of that tournament.

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