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Q&A with Northern Kentucky Commit Griffin Doersching

August 1, 2016

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Griffin Doersching2017 1B Griffin Doersching of Greendale recently committed to Northern Kentucky. Doersching is currently ranked No. 8 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017, he is one of the premier power hitters in the Midwest and has shown his power at numerous PBR events in the past. At 6-foot-4, 250-pounds he showed athleticism especially at first base with solid footwork and a strong arm. With power as his calling card Doersching has registered a 110 mph exit velocity from a tee this winter at the Appleton Preseason ID Showcase. Here is a report on Doersching from the PBR ProCase Midwest this past June.

6.21.16 - Uncommitted. 6-foot-4, 250-pound right-handed hitting first baseman, massive presence in the box, wide shoulders, extremely strong lower half. Possesses big pull-side power with matching big swing. Has incorporated pronounced leg kick and loading action in swing; generates significant bat speed and loft. When swing is timed up, he has the ability to hit it a long way. He proved that during game action when he crushed a towering home run to left field at Silver Cross Stadium with wood. Also registered event-best 102 mph exit velocity with wood. More nimble and athletic than the frame would suggest. Handles himself well around the bag; big target, soft hands and picks balls out of the dirt well. Ran a 7.58 laser-timed 60.

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

Doersching: I don’t think any part of the process turned out “as expected” – I expected coaches would call or write you if they liked you.  I thought they would “find me” thanks to a service like Prep Baseball Report but it turned out I had to do a lot more to get noticed than I thought.  Playing travel ball was a huge part of that process – playing in big tournaments where multiple schools are attending was huge in me being noticed by NKU and other schools.  Also, playing travel ball for a program like Prospect Training Academy where the Coaches and Directors have personal relationships with the college scouts was very important to the process.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Doersching: I wanted a program that was a true team and not a baseball factory.   It’s so easy to get caught up in the hype of going to a powerhouse school – but then you get there and you become a very replaceable commodity.  I didn’t want to go somewhere and feel like that.  I wanted a place where I had a chance to be an impact player and to do that right away my freshman year.

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

Doersching: Absolutely, my family have been so supportive to me throughout my entire life I really didn’t want to go somewhere that would be hard for them to come see games.

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?

Doersching:  I think the event that had the biggest impact was the PBR futures game the summer before my junior year.  Having a chance to be seen by that many scouts at one place and to perform against the best in my class – that started the ball rolling.

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Doersching: One of their coaches saw me at the futures games and sent me some emails after that.  Then they saw me at a tournament we were playing in Cincinnati and we had a game on their home field.  Coach Asalon was there watching our game and I went 3-4 with an HR.  He also noticed how I interacted with my teammates in the dugout and was a leader on the field.  After that they started talking to my travel team coach about an offer.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Doersching: First off – I really liked the coaching staff and the way they talked about their program.  Coach Asalon has been there for 16 years and graduated from the school so I know he’ll be around my whole 4 years. Next - They are an up and comer where I will have a chance to really help them make a name for themselves on a D1 level.   I liked that they have no football team at NKU so baseball and basketball are “the” sports on campus.  The campus in awesome and the student/teacher ratio is low.  All of those things factored into my choice. 

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

Doersching: University of Illinois, Ohio, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Central, Arkansas State, and Illinois State

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

Doersching: There are two – Augie Mihlbauer – he’s a lefty who throws absolute gas – learning how to hit off a pitcher of that caliber was an absolute blessing as I grew as a player.  And Alec Marsh – he’s another pitcher who wound up at Arizona State.  He’s a killer righty.  When you have to face guys like that day after day it really helps you step up your game.

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?

Doersching: I got really serious about it the summer after my freshman year.   I posted a 102 mph exit velo at the PBR event in Appleton and everyone started carrying on about how rare that was.  That’s when I knew I had a chance if I worked hard to be a D1 level player. When I came back to that same event a year later and posted a 110 exit velo I knew that hard work was paying off – and then PBR ranked me in the top 10 in the State so I thought I had a real chance to play college baseball. 

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

Doersching: First – it’s all on you.  You have to put in the work, you have to make it a priority.  You can have all the ability in the world but if you don’t work hard at it that won’t get it done. 

Second – you have to play with the best and against the best.  Being the stud on your high school team doesn’t really mean much here if you’re at a small school in a remote part of the state – you have to play on a team that is going to match you against the top talent from around the country – if you can compete at that level then you have a shot.

Third – don’t forget to say thank you – your parents and family will give up huge chunks of their lives to help you get to this level – never forget what they did for you.

Lastly – ignore the haters – people will put down your choices, they will wonder why you aren’t out at the party with them, if you want to succeed and go play college ball at any level you have to be true to yourself and ignore the rest.

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

Doersching: Wow – I have so many great memories to pick just one is impossible.  

Hitting a home run in Cooperstown over the “Green Monster”

Beating team Japan at the International Championships my U15 year is right up there – no American team had beaten them in like the last 6 years.

Hitting a home run at age 15 that shattered the home plate umpires rear window in his car was one of my funniest memories.

And certainly hitting the bomb to dead center that lead to my offer at NKU has to be up there as well.

I have so many great memories thanks to baseball – but those are some of the best.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Doersching:  This will be the first year I get to play High School baseball – Greendale plays summer ball so it has always been a choice between that and my travel team.  So I’m really looking forward to playing with all my classmates.  The team was 4th in the state last year and we are returning about 90% of the team so I like our chances.   My expectations – win the state championship and set a school home run record along the way.

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

Doersching: I play for the Prospect Training Academy based at The Rock in Franklin, WI – my most memorable experience with them has been this entire past summer – this is without a doubt the best group of guys I have every been lucky enough to play with – and that talent level is exceptional – so to Daddy, Bean, Crash, Deuce, Jackson, Big Ben, Ty-die, Nogs, Sauce, Urbs, Tric, Carp, B-Heid, the Larson twins, Baby Deer, Eigs, Zaks, Arnie, Bing-Bing, Stup and especially my Coaches – Cory Stonelake and Cody Smith – I love you all and thank you so much for all you have given to me.

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