Mack – Today’s top prospect is the pride
of Jenks High School (OK), RHSP senior Thomas Hatch.
Three draft pundits already have Hatch picked in the first round and it’s an
honor to spend some time with him today. Hey Thomas (Tom? Tommy?, DT?) How are
things out in Oklahoma?
Hatch - Things are great. Right now I'm
actually in Long Beach for Area Code but I was home for most of July working
out and getting in shape to end the summer with a bang!
Mack – Let’s go where I
go with everyone on the first question. Take us back to that day when someone
put either a baseball or bat in your hands for the first time and take us up to
today. Don’t spare any of the gory details J
Hatch - Well my dad is definitely the one
who got me started with baseball. I was about 5 years old and played tee ball
for my school. Then the next step was coach pitch for a couple years. I’d say
one of the more exciting steps was from coach pitch to kid pitch. I was 9 years
old and was finally got to pitch. So I pitched throughout little league being
good pitcher but I was always a little a guy that had control and could really
pitch. It was when I was about 15 when I had a growth spurt and my velocity sky
rocketed. That is when I kind of figured that I was pretty good and could have
a future in the game of baseball. Each year from then I matured and added a
little velocity. And now here I am today committed to Oklahoma State (my dream
school) and might possibly have an opportunity to play baseball for a living is
an absolute blessing and I thank God for all of it.
Mack – Jenks High School is ranked 11th
in the state and 295th nationally. Did you find the competition in
your division a test to your abilities?
Hatch - Yes I did. Oklahoma has always had
great baseball and produces a lot of great baseball players. Over the last two
years I've played against 3 first rounders ( Dylan
Bundy, Archie Bradley, & Ty Hensley). Our 2013 class in Oklahoma also has a lot
of talent. Our Jenks team was really young last year and we should be
experienced and loaded to make a run for a state championship next year.
Mack – You’re obviously going into the
most important baseball year of your life. Other than summer ball, what are you
concentrating on in this ‘off-season’ to improve your game before next June
rolls around?
Hatch - I'll do baseball oriented workouts
with a strength coach and work with my pitching coach to get every ounce of
velocity out of my delivery. Also get in great shape so I can pitch 7 innings
and retain all of my velocity through all 7 innings.
Mack – Thank you Thomas for your time and
we’ll check back with you around mid-season
.Hatch - Thank you for the interview. God bless.
.Hatch - Thank you for the interview. God bless.
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