Ty Rock, RHP/1B, Gobles HS, 2013

Rock recently committed to Kalamazoo College and has a chance to be an immediate impact player for the Hornets.  Rock performed well at the Unsigned Senior Showcase in October despite battling a hamstring issue.  Rock has been up to 87mph for us and has considerable pop at the plate.


PBR:  Where have you decided to attend college and why did you make this choice?

Rock: Kalamazoo College, the opportunity to play right away and able to pitch and play first base, the relationship with the coaches also helped me make the decision to go to Kalamazoo College.

PBR:  What other schools were you considering?

Rock: I was also considering Adrian, Hope, Kellogg Community College, and Saginaw Valley.

PBR:  Was distance from home a factor in your decision?

Rock: Distance was never a factor in my decision. With all of the schools I was considering being close, distance from home was not important in my decision.

PBR:  Where did the coaches first see you?  How did your relationship develop with their coaching staff?

Rock: Coach Drake saw me at the Michigan Coaches Association Camp in Grosse Pointe.  Coach Ott and Coach Drake have developed a relationship with Around the Horn and Matt Sheets.  Matt being on the coaching staff at ‘K’ has made the recruiting process a very easy one from the start.

PBR:  What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?

Rock: The leadership role is the role the coaches are expecting me to play on and off the field.  With a very large freshmen class and a young team, leadership is something I can bring right away my freshmen year.  On the field I will be a starting pitcher and also have an opportunity to play first base.

PBR:  What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that will help your team?

Rock: I feel that my biggest strength as a player is my ability to compete.  No matter the situation or the opponent I feel I can get the job done.  Being able to push and be pushed by teammates to compete every day will help us win games.

PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most memorable experience from this past summer?

Rock: I play for Matt Sheets at Around the Horn. Most memorable experience would have to be playing for a team that always plays the right way and has passion for the game.

PBR:  Now that you have your commitment out of the way, what are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?

Rock: Individually I would like to just play the game to the best of my abilities and continue to improve during the year.  Our team has set several goals; the biggest is bringing a State Championship back to Gobles High School.

PBR: Who is the best player you have played against in the state? 

Rock: Through my years of playing baseball, I have played against a lot of great players. The best player I have played against would be Jake Lowery. He is a very special type of player, who can absolutely hit and throw off the mound extremely well.