One of the most helium summers our staff has seen in recent memory belongs to LHP Jack Bauer (Lincoln-Way East, 2025; Virginia commit). The southpaw initially made his name at the Top Tier Scout Day, coming away as the event's biggest winner when he cruised in the high-80s throughout his 'pen. This performance earned him and invite to the Future Games as only a rising sophomore, and not only did he fit right in - he actually stood out amongst the older crowd. He continued his ascent throughout the summer with another highly impressive performance at the Illinois State Games, where he dominated opposing hitters with a fastball that reached up to 91 mph. Though Lincoln-Way East graduated some important pieces from last year's team, Bauer surely is someone the Griffins can count on to help lead them to a state playoff run. 

We recently had the opportunity to catch up with the Virginia commit about his recruitment process, as well as some other fun topics along the way. 

Our Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Bauer: My expectations in the process were I was looking forward to learning the dynamics of different coaches and programs. I was looking for the opportunity to attend a college that has great academics, competitive baseball, supportive coaches who are interested in me as a player and a person, and the opportunity to go to Omaha.

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

B :It did, however it did not limit me. I was hoping to play in a better climate with some of the best.

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

B: The recruiting process really began to heat up for me during the Future Games and that’s where the Virginia staff first saw me.

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

B: For me, the academic degree and the staff reputation for developing pitchers played a large part in choosing UVA.

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

B: Stanford, LSU, North Carolina, and Wake Forest were all high for me before finally choosing Virginia.

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

B: Enzo Infelise has some of the best bat-to-ball skills and patience at the plate I’ve seen for our age, as well as Conor Essenburg; who I believe is a true 5-tool player.

P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

B: I’ve always been blessed with a strong arm for a lefty but this past summer propelled my belief that I could play at the next level.

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

B: Never doubt yourself as you are always your best advocate. Be prepared to put the work in.

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

B: I really can’t narrow it down to one thing. One of my favorite things is making memories playing with or against others from across our state and meeting new people.

P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

B: We lost a ton of talent but we still have a lot of players that can lead this team to a state run and I look forward to contributing to that.

P: How did the Future Games and/or the Illinois State Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event(s)?

B: Absolutely, the Future Games brought me onto the national radar and I began receiving attention from high level schools. The Illinois State Games improved my confidence and trust within myself.

P: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

B: Zachary Kwasny’s presence on the mound and intensity is what I try to model after.

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

B: Tyler Bell and Jackson Natanek both have some of the smoothest hands in the field I’ve seen, they’re both elite defenders.

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