Prep Baseball Report

Q&A with Unsigned Senior Drew Standifer



PBR recently caught up with OF Drew Standifer (right) from Ft. Osage HS. Standifer is coming off of an impressive performance at the PBR Unsigned Senior Showcase at the St. Louis Sports Center, where he caught the eye of the staff on hand, as well as the college coaches in attendance with a nice left handed swing and strong, accurate arm in the outfield.

PBR: You put up some impressive power numbers and opened a lot of eyes last season as a junior, have you received interest from colleges, and what colleges are you interested in?

A: Yes, I have received interests from several colleges. I am interested in playing at a prestigious program that will have the greatest chance of winning, with good coaches, and a business-like atmosphere on the diamond. Whether that be a JUCO or DI, they just have to love the game as much as I do.

PBR: What are you doing now in preparation for the high school season?

A: In able to give my team the greatest chance for a run at state this year, I decided not to play basketball my senior year. I have been staying after school, not only working on my skills, but helping the underclassmen with their?s. In regards to the skill work, I have been constantly hitting off a tee, doing sprint work outs, working on my footwork for the outfield, and waiting for the weather to get warmer so I can start to do long-toss again.

PBR: You participated in some higher profile showcases and tournaments over the summer, what did you take away from those experiences?

A: The showcases I went to really helped me out a lot. It not only got me college looks and opened some eyes but, more than that, the feedback from the coaches has helped me grow into a better baseball player.

PBR: You have played with and against some top talent in the Midwest, how do you feel that has prepared you going into your senior year?

A: I think it gives me somewhat of an advantage because I have been playing against them for so long that I know their strengths and weaknesses.

PBR: Do you feel playing in the Kansas City area prepares a player to be ready for college?

A: I feel that playing in the Kansas City area does prepare a player for college ball. This is because in the Metro area you have such a wide variety of teams and players that have different strategies for the game. There are several well established club teams in the area that have great programs and provide a high level of competition all summer long even without travel.

PBR: When you?re not competing in the spring, are there certain things you do to stay in the best physical shape you can?

A: As a three-sport athlete I never really get a chance to just kick back and relax. I am always going from one sport to the next and most of the time those sports will overlap. So coincidently, I am always doing sprint work outs with the baseball team, suicides with the basketball team, even running hills with the football team, and lifting for all of them.

PBR: As you go into your senior season, are there goals you have set out to accomplish?

A: Yes there are some goals that I have set for myself for my senior year. The number one goal is to lead my team to a district championship. I?ve started every year on Varsity since my freshman year and have made it to the championship each of those years, only to lose. I just feel that I owe it to my team and the coaches to work as hard as I can to get that district title.

PBR: Looking back, who did you play for this summer and how did you feel you fared against summer competition?

A: I played for the Kansas City Select this past summer. We showcased at colleges throughout the Midwest and played in the 18u WWBA World Championships in East Cobb. Through those games I saw many talented kids and I believe that I, as well as my team, fared very well against the highest level talent in the country.?