Prospect Q&A: West Monroe HS OF Jacob Pearson

April 23, 2015

Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana

Name: Jacob Pearson
School: West Monroe
Position: OF
Grad Year: 2017
Commitment: Mississippi State
Scouting Report:
A 5-foot-10, 185-pound 2017 outfielder from West Monroe, LA. Strong, compact build with fast twitch actions. Quality overall athlete that runs a 6.6 60 yard dash. Legitimate center-field type defensive player with good tracking instincts, plays fast, but lacks in arm strength. Left-handed hitter with slight stiffness in upper body, but has above average bat speed, strength at contact, flat path through zone, advanced feel for hitting, makes consistent hard contact and shows present pull power potential.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?
Pearson: I was unfamiliar with the whole process coming into it, it definitely surprised me.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Pearson: Yes, but not much. I wanted to play at an SEC school, and within a few hours from home. Mississippi State allowed me to play where I want, get the education I want, and be just a few hours from home.

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Pearson: Not sure where Mississippi State first saw me, but right after my first high school scrimmage game, I was told to contact Coach Mingione. The relationship grew between us over the next year as I made a couple of visits to them.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Pearson: Kale Breaux, not only is he a Mississippi State signee, but he can really pitch. He has very good command and velocity. Definitely a next level arm.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Pearson: My 8th grade season playing travel ball I realized that my next four years at the high school could be my last years of baseball if I didn’t put 110% effort into everything I did. So then on it wasn’t just routine for me; it was a challenge to be better than I was the day before.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Pearson: I was looking for a family environment, and I was looking for a program that I could have fun, get the education I wanted, and be able to play against high quality players.

PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?
Pearson: Training/work ethic. Hitting in the cages every day is something that I love to do. The constant work allows me to see the ball out of the pitchers hands better and feel comfortable in the box. Hitting and my ability to run I would say are my strong points.

PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?
Pearson: Throwing/arm strength. Arm is still recovering from a labrum surgery 18 months ago. So training and working to improve my arm strength is something I will continue to work on. To improve my arm strength is going to take patience. Long toss, bands, stretching, and working those muscles are things I do regularly.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Pearson: Never take days off, because if you take just that one day off, there is someone out there that is working to be better than you, whether you know it or not.

PBR: What do you do in the off-season to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?
Pearson: Hitting, running, throwing, and outfield drills. It's the little things I do in the offseason that I believe creates the big things during the season.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Pearson: The baseball program is the thing I love most about Mississippi State. It has a family environment and a great coaching staff. The campus is beautiful, and the education is great. It was exactly what I was looking for in a college.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Pearson: Schools that showed interest in me were: Ole Miss, Louisiana State, Southern Miss, Southeastern Louisiana, and Louisiana Tech.

PBR: Preview your summer season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?
Pearson: This summer I will be playing for coach Chad Raley and Marucci Elite out of Baton Rouge. We have a very talented roster and we plan on winning a lot of games. Our goal as a team is to win a World Series. We will play great teams, and with the looks of our team, we will play hard.

Reminder: Prep Baseball Report Louisiana will be hosting its first event on May 25, 2015 at St. Thomas Aquinas HS. The Underclass Trials is an open event for 2017 & 2018 graduates and will serve as an identifier for the PBR Future Games powered by Under Armour. Sign up now to get your recruiting process started and #BeSeen. The Prep Baseball Report services are subscribed to by over 400 college coaches and scouts.

Prospect Q&A: West Monroe HS OF Jacob Pearson

Related Content