MIDLAND - While snow covers the ground at the present time, Jack Bakus understands the importance of what lies right ahead when the weather takes a turn.

“This spring and summer is going to be a big time for me,” related the ninth-rated uncommitted 2023 in Michigan. “I’ve been working toward it all offseason. I’m looking forward to showing what I can do on the field and having college coaches come to my games.”

The H.H. Dow High School junior would love to have college coaches recognize the type of player and person he is and how he could fit into their program.

“I’d explain my work ethic, how determined I am, how hard of a worker I am and how coachable I am,” Bakus said about what he’d like coaches to know. “I’d tell him to come watch me in game. That’s where I shine, in in-game settings.”

Aaron Wilson, PBR Michigan Director of Scouting, has seen the top-ranked 2023 third baseman in the state in action.

“Jack is a two-sport athlete with a polished left-hand swing that packs a powerful punch,” noted Wilson, who coached Bakus at the Future Games this past summer. “He has a line-drive approach at the plate with discipline. He’s a team guy that keeps the morale high in the dugout.”

The 6-5 220-pounder has been talking to Big 10 and MAC schools thus far, for the most part in Michigan and Ohio.

“They’ve told me they like my frame and like my talents in the box hitting,” Bakus related. “They tell me to keep working on my arm strength and becoming stronger and I’ll be a better overall player.”

That is what the 17-year-old has been focusing on.

“I’ve been working a lot on my strength this offseason,” Bakus explained. “Working out with my baseball team has really helped and I’m also lifting with my football team a couple times a week. It’s helped me a lot with my speed. I’ve also been working on hitting offspeed.”

The drive to play beyond high school began for the 34th-rated junior in Michigan his eighth-grade school year.

“That’s when I first started thinking about college and setting goals,” Bakus said. “I always played at a high level for baseball so when I first got into high school my focus went to playing at the next level.”

Exposure and gaining recognition became vital.

“I’ve been doing my best to get myself out there,”Bakus pointed out. “I’ve been reaching out on my own to coaches. Another big thing is my high school and travel coaches have been reaching out on my behalf and that’s been a big part of the process for me.

“I also definitely think events like the PBR Future Games helped a lot with so many college coaches down there. That was a really good experience. In talking to coaches now, they tell me they recognize me from that.

“Going to camps has also benefited me,” Bakus added. “It shows I care about my progress and I’m interested in getting better and showing what I can do.”

Corner infielder is the projected position for Bakus, who carries a weighted 4.45 GPA and is considering finance or business as a college major.

“I don’t care what conference, my goal is to play D-I baseball,” Bakus said. “That’s the ultimate goal. I’ve been going to prospect camps, looking around campuses, sending out video and doing all I can to get myself out there.

“Ideally by the end of summer, hopefully, I’ll have made a decision. Right now I’m just working as hard as I can to get better and then we’ll see what happens.”