Prep Baseball Report

Q&A with William Woods Commit Adam Lafferty (Rock Brige, 2015)



Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Adam Lafferty (Rock Bridge, 2015) has recently committed to play college baseball at William Woods.  Lafferty is a projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. He has a high ¾ delivery and quick arm action. Adam throws with regular effort, smooth rhythm, and finishes in an athletic position. At the Class of 2015 Games in August, Lafferty had a fastball velocity range of 82-84 MPH with run. His slider was at 75-76 MPH with 10/4 tilt. Adam also displayed a change-up that ranged from 77-78 with near fastball arm speed and good sink. He’s a strike thrower. He works quick and attacks hitters. He racked up 2 K’s during his outing.

Last spring, Lafferty was a big part the Bruins state championship team.  He is currently preparing to defend the tile with his Bruin teammates.

Here is a look into the recruiting process of Adam Lafferty.

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

Laffterty: It was a good process, doing showcases helped me out a lot my meeting a lot of the coaches before I event visited and of their colleges.  So by doing that it made it a lot easier than expected. 

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

Lafferty: Yes, I wanted to stay in Missouri to play baseball.  So, that narrowed down the schools by a huge margin.

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

Lafferty: They first saw me my junior year when they were recruiting Jacob Schmidt and saw me play multiple times over the summer, fall and during showcases.  I like the coach a lot so it was easy for us to talk, which really helped our relationship grow. 

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

Lafferty: The best player that I personally faced was Colby Fitch, who plays at Louisville.  he was a great all around hitter and always a huge threat. 

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

Lafferty: I was looking for a program that first would give me a lot of playing time. I wasn't interested in going to a super high level and not getting much playing time for my first few years.  That's why I was highly considering a JUCO, but one I met coach Munnis and William Woods, I was very impressed with the academics at the school and how he runs his baseball program. 

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Laffterty: I would say to lose the thought of playing D1 school.  Of course it's everyone's dream, just like mine.  But, I am more interested at just playing the game I love at a good school where I can focus on both the athletics and academics.

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

Lafferty: I play off-season baseball and stay in shape by just keeping my body healthy by working out and eating right.

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

Lafferty: My most memorable moment would be winning the state championship.  It was the most fun I've had playing baseball and will forget our post season run.

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

Lafferty: I like William Woods because I have a few buddies that play there and they love it.  The tell me everything they do, which makes it seem like a great fit for me.  Also, the way the coach will make sure you're succeeding off the field, in the classroom, will help me academically. 

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

Lafferty: Maple Woods was another school that I was looking at before I made my decision. 

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?

Lafferty: It picked up right when my junior season was over.  That's when a lot of schools started contacting me and started making visits.  Having an outstanding season my junior year helped coaches find and contact me.  

PBR: Describe the experience of winning the state championship.

Lafferty: The feeling was indescribable.  We set our goal of winning the district championship each year and everything past that is a gift.  So, to be able to take advantage of that, and go all the way, was a dream come true.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals? Name some players that will play a key role for Rock Bridge in 2015.

Lafferty: Like I said, our goal is always to win districts.  That's all we will think about this season, just like the rest of the seasons, but with the team we have this year, I have very high expectations.  We will have another hard schedule. But if we play every game hard, then there is no doubt in my mind that this team has the potential to repeat.

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

Lafferty: I played with Southside (Rock Bridge's summer program), and all of it was fun because it's a little more relaxed.  You just go out with your buddies and play the game of baseball, it doesn't get much better than that.  

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