Today, we catch up with Adam Walton, SS, Stevenson HS, Class of 2012, as he reflects on his recruiting process and his goals for the future.      

PBR: Have you ever attended a Prep Baseball Report event?  If so what were your impressions of the event?
Walton: Yes I have, and I thought the event was great. It was run extremely well and had lots of coaches their so it was great to get exposure.

PBR: Why did you choose your respected College?
Walton: I chose Illinois for many reasons. The coaching staff is great and I grew very close with them, the way they play the small ball, focus on defense, and they love to run really fit well into my style of play. It is also a great academic school and only 2.5 hours from home so it was important that my parents could come and watch me play whenever they wanted. 

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Walton: Iowa, Michigan State, Illinois State and Maryland.

PBR: Where did the coaches first see you? How did your relationship develop with their coaching staff?
Walton: They first saw me when I played for the Top Tier 16U team, they saw me play a few games in different tournaments over that summer. My relationship really started to develop with them at the beginning of my junior year when they could start emailing us. I would be in contact with Coach Hartleb or Coach Snider almost every day talking on the phone or sending emails. 

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?
Walton: They just expect me to come in, work hard and see what happens from there. Nothing is guaranteed so anyway I can make an impact and help the team would be great to do as a freshmen.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help your intended school in baseball?
Walton: My biggest strength is my speed and defense. Hopefully it will help UofI right away in whatever way they need me too, whether it is starting, pinch running, pinch hitting, or defensive replacement. Whatever impact I can make I will be happy with.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what are you most excited about this summer?
Walton: Top Tier. Im just excited to play one more year of travel ball with all the friends I have made on TT the last few summers, it should be a lot of fun.

PBR: Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team for the rest of your senior season?
Walton: Individually just to improve in all categories at the plate from last season, and commit less errors than I made last year. For the team our goals are to win another conference championship, and then take it game by game in the playoffs and get as far as possible because we were upset early last year and did not get as far as we had wanted. 

PBR: What are your stats so far in the High School season?
Walton: BA: .355, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 5 BB, 11 stolen bases, 10 RBI's 

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter/pitcher that you have faced in Illinois?
Walton: Toughest pitcher Ryan Borucki, LHP, Mundelein HS, Class of 2012