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Our Q&A 

Prep Baseball: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Jagger: The recruiting process I expected to be a lot. I was fortunate enough to have great coaches and parents to help me through it. I was mainly looking for great coaching staff, good facilities, and if I was able to contribute as a freshmen.

PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

J: OU was an easy choice for me. They have always been one of my top schools to go to as a kid. I grew up being a OU fan. Coach Johnson, you could say is one of the best college pitching coaches of all time. Now that they’re updating all their facilities it's just a plus. The coaching staff is amazing that’s what made my decision so easy.

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

J: If I had to give advice to a young baseball player I would tell them to work hard no matter what, just compete it doesn’t matter where. If you work hard in getting to your goals you will reach them. There will always be someone better than you and you won’t even know but it doesn’t matter everyone develops at their own speed. Just work hard and set your goals high.

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

J: No, I was just fortunate enough for OU to give me a scholarship and for it to not be that far from home. Distance or location didn’t play a factor in my decision I wanted to go to the college I had the best opportunity to play and best for my future.

PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

J: The recruiting process didn’t really heat up until summer before my junior year. I had a lot of schools want me but I had my eyes set on a selected few. OU saw me when I went to the camp in August. I threw and I was sitting 91-92 and that’s when they offered me, at the moment I didn’t know what to say, but I knew I wanted to go there.

PB: Was there a particular Prep Baseball tournament or showcase that helped accelerate your recruiting process? If yes, how so?

J: Yes, Lake Point is an amazing tournament for kids to get looked at. I went there the summer before my sophomore year and I did well. I think that tournament did help me get looked at for my junior year and my recruiting process

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

J: Schools like Mizzou, Northwestern, Tulane, and Indiana are just a couple that wanted me to come down to their school. I really wanted to go to Alabama that was my first choice but they never offered me. OU was my second school I wanted to go to. But now that I committed I don’t think I will be de committing from OU. I love it where I am.

PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

J: I haven’t really faced anyone from my state but I have played with a few. I think Rylan Sutton is one of the best in Missouri. He’s a big lefty lefty with solid speed I loved playing with him. He is now committed to Ole Miss. I’ve played with him for a couple years and he’s a great kid overall his family is great. Ole Miss is lucky to have him.

PB: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

J: Any quality I would steal would be Cameron Miller's height. Right now I am 6’1 I think if I was 6’3 I would be able to throw around 94-95 and that’s a big difference from 91-92.

PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

J: In my high school I would have to say Silas Ball is a person to look out for. He is a 6’0 190 lb catcher with great framing skills and will block when he needs to. He threw out multiple guys from behind the plate last season and he has great power and his ability to get on base is extremely good. I can’t wait to see what he will do this season.

PB: 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?

J: When I was about 13-14 I became serious about it. I never really have a had the size, I’ve always have been smaller than everyone. I finally grew when I was about 14 to around 5’10 and gained some weight. Now I am 6’1 185lbs. I’ve always have had really high arm speed and spin rate but I just wasn’t big enough until a couple years ago. I always knew I could make it to college and make it pro but I knew it would take a lot of work and effort to get there

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

J: The most memorable moment in my baseball career I would have to say the world series when I was 13 in Gulf Shores. This weekend was great hanging out with my friends all day the whole week. I didn’t have to worry about the recruiting process or trying to impress other people. I’ve learned that if you are scared to make a mistake that you are going to make a mistake you have to learn to not care and just brush it off. Next play.

PB: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

J: High school this season will be interesting I think. We return 5 starters from last year with 3 seniors. I think we could win state this year if everyone stays disciplined. The coaches we have are amazing and the program they have is great. It just will come down to the players on how hard we work. I think we can be great if we wanted too.

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