Hanley Ready To Make An Impact At Indiana

MASON - Improvement from the time of the 2020 Future Games until this year’s event only solidified what Indiana thought about Jake Hanley, the second-rated 2024 in Ohio.

“I talked with them the day prior and had a zoom call with them after the Future Games this year and we talked about how it went,” Hanley related. “They were happy how I hit. They said it was a good thing to see I’ve been improving since it’s been awhile since they had seen me in person. Maturity is the biggest thing they saw.”

While the Mason High School sophomore excelled at the 2021 Future Games in Georgia, it was at the PBR event in Pennsylvania a year earlier when Indiana first became interested.

“That’s when it all started,” Hanley said of a recruiting process with the Big 10 program that has now ended in a commitment to the university 21/2 hours from his home in Mason. “They contacted me a month after last year’s Future Games and we started to have weekly calls. It built up to an offer last November.”

But the top-rated 2024 first baseman in the nation was in no rush to make a decision.

“I wanted to get through my first high school season and establish myself,” pointed out Hanley. “I was considering a lot of other places and I didn’t want to cut anyone off, plus I wanted to take some visits. Meeting coaches in person was a big part of it for me.”

While the list was whittled down to four or five, in the end it was IU that stood above the rest for the 75th-ranked sophomore in the country.

“The campus was spectacular, my whole family got to see it,” Hanley noted about a visit taken in early September. “I love how the coaches communicated stuff and how much effort they put into it. Playing there felt like home, that was one of the biggest factors.”

Indiana saw a lot to like in the 6-5 205-pound 16-year-old.

“Part of it was size and projectability,” Hanley explained about what stood out to the coaches at Indiana. “Another part was coachability. Over the past 12 months they’ve seen me really mature. I’m a completely different person.”

Improvement has come in many ways.

“Everything’s gotten better, especially the past couple months,” Hanley noted. “My speed is better and my hitting is probably the biggest part that’s picked up since 2020. Getting used to better competition has helped.”

Strides have also been made as a pitcher, with the possibility of being a two-way player at Indiana not out of the question.

“I’ve picked up a couple miles per hour and got my body moving quicker,” Hanley said. “I’ve also filled out a little more.

“If the opportunity presents itself to be two-way, that would be great. I want to try and do both for as long as I can. If one is the obvious choice, I’ll do that. Once I’m on campus we’ll see what they want me to do.”

No matter the position, the left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing Hanley is confident about being a major asset to the Big 10 program.

“Athleticism,” Hanley said first about what he can bring to the next level. “I can play almost any position, outfield, first base, pitcher … so I’ve got versatility there. Over time I’ve become a vocal leader, trying to keep guys up on the field. By the time I get there I’d like to be throwing in the 90s and be the guy they can count on in big moments.”

The idea of playing college baseball has been there “forever” according to Hanley.

“Even before my recruitment started it’s been a big goal of mine,” Hanley admitted.

A 4.1 student planning on a major in the business field, Hanley enjoyed the whole process of being recruited.

“The most memorable part is visiting all the colleges and walking around all the campuses with my parents,” Hanley related. “Over time it was easier to manage calls and work through the process.”

His father along with summer coach Justin Rice, high school coaches Curt Bly and Jimmy Onate, hitting trainer Lance Durham, pitching instructor Greg Williams and fall ball coach Kurt Hutter have been influential in Hanley getting where he is today.

“Another part was my senior teammates in high school that helped me get used to the environment,” Hanley said.

Admittedly, a commitment brings a sense of relief to the sophomore, who received interest from schools in the ACC and SEC in addition to the Big 10.

“Personally, it’s a huge weight off my chest,” Hanley said. “It’s been the biggest decision of my life and making this decision at a young age is stressful. I worked throughout to take the best course of action to take stress off me and my family. They only wanted what was best for me.”