Prep Baseball Report

Gollert Happy To Be Headed To Missouri State


Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Canada Senior Writer

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Gollert Happy To Be Headed To Missouri State

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Taeg Gollert

Class of 2022 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2022
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: 3B
  • High School: Humberside
    State: ON
  • Summer Team: Mississauga Tigers
  • Height: 6-2
    Weight: 200lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
87
Max FB
(08/31/20)
84 - 87
FB
(08/31/20)
72 - 75
CH
(08/31/20)
72 - 74
SL
(08/30/21)
Pitching
Max FB
85
FB
84 - 85
CH
70 - 72
SL
72 - 74
Pitching
Max FB
87
FB
84 - 87
CH
72 - 75
Position
7.14
60-yard
(08/31/20)
88
INF Velo
(08/31/20)
96
Exit Velo
(08/30/21)
Position
60-yard
7.23
INF Velo
86
Exit Velo
96
Position
60-yard
7.14
INF Velo
88
Exit Velo
89

Gollert Happy To Be Headed To Missouri State

TORONTO - It had been a trying time for Taeg Gollert since the start of the pandemic back in 2020. There was an uncertainty if the opportunity to play baseball at the next level would ever materialize.

“With Covid in Canada and with all the restrictions and not getting to the U.S. for the past year-and-a-half, I thought I’d end up going the junior college route,” the 26th-rated 2022 in Ontario admitted.

However, joining up with the Mississauga Tigers proved to be beneficial in helping change the outlook for the Humberside High School senior.

“There was a lot of doubt going into this summer but the coach of the Tigers did a good job of keeping players like me calm,” Gollert noted. “He said not to worry, wait until you get offers when you go to the states. They lived up to that promise.”

A fall trip with the Tigers helped the cause in finding a college home at Missouri State.

“We went for 14 days to multiple D-I and top-end junior colleges, Missouri State included,” Gollert reflected. “I did well that day and talked with (assistant coach) Joey (Hawkins) and we stayed in touch. It blew me away in terms of facilities. After that I went to Jupiter with my Scout Team and had a call with Joey while I was there and a day later committed.”

The sixth-ranked 2022 shortstop in Ontario knew what he was looking for in a school.

“Going through the process there were multiple things to consider,” Gollert explained. “Where would I develop most as a player to achieve my goals? What was best financially? What competition would help me as a player? I chose Missouri State because the head coach (Keith Guttin) has been there 39 years, so he knows what it takes at the next level. I also like the assistant coach there, Joey Hawkins. I feel grateful that he knows what it will take for me to get to the next level. They play in a great conference and I believe they will help develop me into the player I want to be.”

Summer coach Greg Byron is credited with helping steer Gollert toward Missouri State.

“He always said to me ‘that’s a program you should shoot for,’” Gollert said. “He’s good friends with Joey Hawkins and always said he thought I could excel there.”

Additional help came from PBR, according to the sixth-rated uncommitted 2022 in Ontario at the time of his decision to attend Missouri State.

“I had a PBR event with the Tigers before I went to the states,” Gollert related. “That gave me the foundation and base if anyone wanted to look me up. When I talked to some schools they already knew my numbers. George Halim (PBR Canada Assistant Director of Scouting) got my velo out in Jupiter which helped out a lot.”

Admittedly, it was a surprise ending to the recruiting process for Gollert, not just a happy one.

“I hadn’t talked with anyone until this summer,’ Gollert pointed out. “Until the fall trip it was mostly junior colleges, no D-I schools. I was going to commit at the end of the summer but in talking to my coaches I decided to wait until the fall trip was over and I’m glad I did.”

It helped Gollert reach a dream that was aided by an older brother.

“He was a left-handed pitcher that played D-I at Austin Peay,” Gollert said of his brother, Harley. “I’d always loved baseball since I was a young age and it hit me when I was 15 and seeing him play that I wanted to play at the next level. I didn’t think I could achieve it until I started to put in a lot of work and then went to the states this year.”

Missouri State saw a lot of promise in the 6-3 200-pound two-way prospect.

“Immediately after they saw me play in a game they said they love the way I carry myself on the field and how I compete,” Gollert related. “They don’t want kids that are scared and they said I don’t look scared and that I’m aggressive. They love my bat and that I barrelled up balls a lot.”

Pitching is also a possibility for the versatile 18-year-old.

“They didn’t see me pitch but I’m going there as a two-way,” Gollert noted. “It’s mainly as a position player, third base and outfield, but I’d love the chance to do two-way. It’s something I’ve done my whole life and the chance to do it had an impact on my decision. I think it will be a great opportunity.”

Business administration and sport management are potential college majors for Gollert, a 4.0 student who believes he can be a major asset to the Missouri Valley Conference program.

“I’m a competitor, there’s no backing down,” Gollert said. “I’m going to work and bring whatever I can to the table to help the team. I’m a team player and want to win, that’s the most important thing. Whatever it takes.”

There was a feeling of excitement once a commitment was final to the school in Springfield, Mo., a 15-hour drive from Toronto.

“When I got on the phone with Jerry Hawkins it was obvious I was going to commit there,” Gollert reflected. “I was in shock. It didn’t kick in that I was going to such a high-level program until the national letter-of-intent signing. I was happy and super pumped. I’m ready to grow as a player.”



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