Commitment Q&A with St. Louis Commit Eli Skidmore
March 26, 2024
A top-15 arm in the Missouri's junior class, RHP Eli Skidmore (Francis Howell, 2025; St. Louis commit) possesses a physical 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame with plenty of arm speed and strength to go around.
In our most recent look at the 2024 GBA Scout Day, Skidmore with up to 88 mph with his fastball which played with some ride up in the zone. He commanded the zone with his changeup at 80-81 mph and a thight spinning slider at 73-74 mph.
We recently caught up with the St. Louis commit and asked him a few questions about his recruiting process, favorite memories, advice to younger players and more.
OUR Q&A
PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Skidmore: What I was looking for was a school that was close enough to home with good academics as well as a good baseball program.
PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Skidmore: Yes, for me I rather be able to come home whenever I want and I can do that with SLU only being 35 minutes down the road
PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
Skidmore: It started to heat up right after the Future Games. I think they saw me a few times in the spring and then down in Atlanta with PBR.
PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Skidmore: I like that the coaches made it feel like a family the moment I got onto campus and the facilities and the campus were key factors into my choice.
PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Skidmore: I had interest from Butler, SEMO, Indiana State, Southern Miss, UIC, Mizzou, and Lindenwood.
PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?
Skidmore: Tate McGuire (Liberty North, 2023; Arkansas signee).
PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Skidmore: When I had a big jump in velocity and my arsenal started getting stronger, along with growing and gaining muscle.
PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Skidmore: Work on the days you don’t think you have to because there is always someone trying to take your spot, don’t take sports for granted.
PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
Skidmore: Pitching in the State Championship game and at the Future Games.
PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?
Skidmore: At Howell, we have almost all of our pitching coming back along with some big bats in the lineup. I think the talent wise, we are as good as we set ourselves to be. I think we will have some new faces coming in that will really burst out as good players. Would love to make another state run this year.
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