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Q&A with Crowder Commit LHP Colton Larkins (Blue Springs South, 2015)

November 24, 2014

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

LHP Colton Larkins (Blue Springs South, 2015) has chosen to continue his baseball career by committing to Crowder Community College.  At the Class of 2015 Prospect Games on August 17, Larkins looked solid in his inning of work, mixing fastball and change-up to keep hitters off balance. He worked at 76-78 MPH with is fastball and 67-69 MPH with his change up.  Larkins also showed a curveball at 66-67 MPH.  The 6-foot-1 155-pound lefty still has room to put fill out physically.  He is a strike thrower that is not afraid of pitching to contact.

Larkins is gearing up for his senior campaign at Blue Springs South. A season ago, the Jaguars finished third in Missouri Class 5, with an exciting extra inning win over Vianney.  This winter, Larkins has already started to work on increasing velocity and command.  Look for Larkins to have increased role on the mound for the already talented Jaguars. 

We had chance to catch up with Larkins and see how he chose Crowder. 

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Larkins; I really didn’t know what to expect. For the most part it was easy, but at times stressful trying to figure out where I was going to go. Kind of strange a coach would talk to you and be interested and then you wouldn’t hear from them for a few weeks.

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

Larkins: Not really I just wanted to go play baseball somewhere. Not too far away but I wanted to at least have the experience of being away from home.

PBR: Where did Crowder first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

They saw me over the summer at the Premier Championships. Jeremy Jones with Building Champions is my summer coach, he reached out to them and told them of my interest, they called and set up visit.  I threw a bullpen for them and they offered afterwards. I accepted their offer a week later.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

Larkins: I don’t really know specific names because Austin Simms and Reece Eddins drew most of the tougher teams in High School and I relieved and started just 4 games. I did throw 5 innings at Columbia Rock Bridge in relief but I didn’t know there names.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Larkins: Now throwing in the low 80’s it’s not good enough for a D1, I needed a JC program that had a history of developing players. My goal is to go D1, I want to get a chance to compete at this level while growing stronger as a pitcher.
 
PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Larkins: To work hard and to be patient, don’t rush anything. Go where you can compete and touch the ball if you’re a pitcher.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Larkins: I do PSP3 in Overland Park 3 days a week. I also do baseball workouts for my high school team and I start throwing in mid- December after giving my arm some time off.

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

Larkins: I threw a one hitter 2 years ago with my old team Ticket Solution Tigers and we only had 8 players the game I threw it. Pitching against the Ohio Elite at Vanderbilt Univ. this past summer. They were loaded with D1 recruits.

PBR: What do you like most about Crowder and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Larkins: They are a top 20 JC program and have a good reputation for developing players that move on to higher levels. The coaches made me feel comfortable and they were honest about my ability to contribute as a Freshman if I put in the work. They went over their conditioning program as well which I really liked.  It will be tough but I feel it will help me reach my goals and I am looking forward to the challenge. I also like the more southern location where I could be seen by as many as 8-12 D1 schools within a 3 hour drive in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas & Missouri.

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

Larkins: Univ. of Central Missouri, Lindenwood, Cowley County JC & KCKCC, Longview CC

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Larkins: There wasn’t really a game or event that did it for me. It just started heating up in the fall. I would say that Josh Smith and Justin Ziegler over at BC picked up on a couple of problems in my delivery. Once the adjustments were made I picked up 2-4 mph in just a couple of bullpens.  The last 2 weekends I threw the difference was noticeable.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Larkins: I think we will be good again this year. My goal for us is to get back to state, I think we can do it we have 7 senior returning lettermen, and 3 juniors as well. Yeah we lost a lot of seniors last year but I think we will be fine.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Larkins: I play for Building Champions over the summer. My most memorable experience with them was when we went to Atlanta and Nashville this summer for 2 weeks. That was really fun because it was nothing but baseball and being with your teammates for 2 weeks.

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