Prep Baseball Report

Q&A with Miami-Ohio commit Austin Greco


By Andy Sroka
Staff Writer

We had the pleasure of seeing a lot of RHP/OF Austin Greco (Mundelein, 2020; Miami-Ohio commit) in 2018. The 5-foot-10, quick-twitch two-way prospect was initially invited to the Underclass Invitational way back in February where he sat in the mid 80s on the mound and exhibited a short, strong stroke from the right-handed batter’s box. In the spring, Greco only a sophomore, played a big role on varsity with both his arm and his bat.

Following his impressive spring and summer, Greco was invited to the prestigious PBR Future Games event in Westfield, Ind., in August where he represented Team Illinois, a squad of the top unsigned 2020 prospects in the state. There, he ran his fastball all the way up to 91 mph in his first inning of work in relief and held his own with the bat. In late September, Greco announced his verbal commitment to Miami University, where it’ll be interesting to see how the dynamic two-way prospect is utilized.

We recently had the opportunity to discuss the recruiting process with Greco, what he was looking for out of his college experience, and his favorite memories in baseball to this point.

RECENT SCOUTING REPORT

Austin Greco RHP / OF / Mundelein, IL / 2020

9.16.18 - Currently ranked No. 31 in Illinois’ 2020 class. 5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way talent. Pitched well in relief for the Sparks, sitting 86-88, topping at 89, with big arm-side life. Consistently ran his fastball back in over the plate against right-handers. Also mixed in a 77-78 slider and 76 mph changeup. Offensively, crushed a triple to centerfield against the Nebraska Prospects. Against Indiana Prospects, collected two extra base hits; a triple to the left center gap and a ground rule double to the pull side corner. Continued to show off his offensive prowess on Championship Sunday. Broke the semi-final game open with a two-run double down the right-field line.

OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easier or more difficult than you anticipated?

Greco: I didn’t really know what to expect at first for the recruiting process but my travel ball coach helped out a lot. I thought it was difficult at times due to the NCAA rules that limit visits and communication but other than that it was just fine and I enjoyed it.

P: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at? Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

G: I was looking for a college program that would allow me to be both a pitcher and position player. I also wanted a college program that wanted me to play as soon as possible. Location definitely played a role in my decision because I wanted be within driving distance from home, so that limited my options to the Midwest region. 

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel accelerated the buzz around you?

 G: The recruiting process started to heat up in the summer after my sophomore year in high school. The two events that really accelerated the recruiting process were the ABC Championships in Grand Park (Ind.) and the PBR Future Games.

 P: Where did Miami of Ohio you chose first see you? What did you like most about the college?

 G: Miami of Ohio originally saw me at the ABC Championships in Grand Park but from there they started to build a relationship with me by checking in and following me at events throughout the summer. Miami-Ohio has a great baseball program and is one of the top academic schools in the country. My parents and coaches have stressed the importance of going to a college that has great academics but also has a strong baseball program. 

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state?

 G: Matt McCormick (St. Laurence, 2019; West Virginia) because he just flat out rakes. 

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?

 G: It’s always been my dream to play Division-I college baseball but I started to realize that I could be a college-caliber player when my coach pulled me aside after a game and told me that he firmly believes I could play at the next level and that colleges were starting to become interested. 

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

 G: I think the most important thing a young baseball player can do is to have the ability to be coachable. Nothing has helped me more than my coaches during my high school baseball career and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. 

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

 G: The most memorable moment in my baseball career is probably playing at the PBR Future Games. The atmosphere is unreal with hundreds of college scouts watching but also getting to represent my state and match up against the best players in the country. 

P: Preview Mundelein's season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

 G: I expect Mundelein to have a solid season this year but the loss of a couple key starters will be hard to make up for. We have a good chance of winning conference and the goal is to make it to the state championship.

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