We were fortunate enough to sit down with former 1st Round Pick and current New York Mets farmhand, Jake Hager, on what he is doing to stay ready and get better for when baseball is back. He broke down his hitting and defensive routines that he is currently using as well as giving insight into how he prepares himself for the mental side of the game. These different routines, drills and practices are tools that Nevada athletes could implement into their own routines to make sure they are prepared when baseball is back.

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High School: Sierra Vista (2011)

College Commitment: Arizona State

Round Drafted: 1

Team Draft By: Tampa Bay Rays

Current Organization: New York Mets

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With dates starting to pop up for the baseball season to resume, what have you been doing to make sure you are ready when you get that call?

Crazy times right now but been very fortunate to have access to everything I need to stay ready for whenever baseball starts back up. With that being said, my routine has been great. Everyday I have been able to go to the cage to get my swings in, hitting front toss, live bp, and curveball machine. Then after that, I go through my fielding routine with the machine shooting me ground balls . After the cages, I go to a park and play long toss with my buddies and also do some other ground ball and fly ball stuff. Then get our sprints in and then head back home and get a lift done in my garage. 

How many days a week have you been hitting? 

Five days a week, Monday through Friday. 

What is your routine when you get in the cage? On the field?

I always start with flips, no tee. I love to see the ball moving. I always start with top hand and bottom hand drills, then get into split grip swings. Then, in getting into front toss I have the ball tossed way inside (white line) and try keep my hands inside and hit it up the middle to work on my direction. Then side angle tosses to keep my direction.

On the field routine, I try to stay the middle of the field and opposite field. Then last round, I'll go ahead and turn on some balls inside. 

What type of defensive work have you been doing to stay ready? 

Ground ball work in the cages consist of glove work stuff like short hops on the glove side, then backhand and right at me.  Then I work my way back to a two hopper, moving my feet to catch the short hop, then I start moving left and right, backhands and forehands. Then go into double play feeds from short and second.

Field routine is pretty similar, starting with a short fungo right at me, then start moving left and right to get my feet going. The biggest key for me is to keep my feet moving and do the best I can to always catch that short hop.

Do you have a throwing program you adhere by to keep your arm in shape?

Yes, I do. So, I use a weighted ball warm up program which consist of two different types of balls that I do different throwing movements to get my arm in the correct slot.  I throw about every day and would say I long toss about 3 times a week. 

Do you do any non-baseball workouts or exercises to stay either mentally or physically ready for the season?

Yes, I do. So, I love to workout. I want to keep my body in the best shape as possible physically to stay strong on the field and to avoid injury. I have my lifting program that I stick to 6 days a week and each day try to get after it each time.  Also, I’m big into reading self-help, self-motivation type books to keep my mental game strong. The game of baseball is very mental, and you have to be able to accept failure and to be able to bounce back quick. So, I take pride in my reading and to gain as much mental strength as possible. I also do a breathing technique everyday as well that I learned from Wim Hoff that has helped me become more in the moment and also help my body feel incredible.

What is something you would want to share with high school prospects today that you would have like to have known when you were going through the recruiting process? 

In college recruitment, I wish I knew that I didn’t have to be in a rush to commit. I felt like I committed too early and didn’t get to use all of my visits and experience different schools. So, my advice to kids is to take your five visits and enjoy the process and then make a decision.

In the pro recruiting, I felt like I really knew what I was getting into, but I didn’t expect how fast the game changes, meaning game speed and how talented everyone is. So, I wish I knew a way at the time to get ready for that. If scouts during the process, could have gave me ideas or drills to prepare, I feel like I could have had an even better start. So, my advice to that is, anyone going through the draft process and gets drafted, find ways to speed the game up when you’re training, so when that first game comes, you’re ready. 

What was the most difficult part of making the transition from high school to pro ball? 

Hardest transition was the speed of the game, the pitching and playing every day.  You are seeing very talented arms on a daily basis and they throw all types of pitches in certain counts that you’re not used to seeing. For example, you do not see a 2-0 heater anymore. So that was a big adjustment. Then the speed of the game changes at every level, balls are hit harder, guys are faster and you have to be able to make each play quick. Then going back to the everyday grind. I had to learn quick on how to take care of my body on a daily basis and make sure I can be ready for every game. I’m a player that loves to play every day so I would do whatever I can to be ready. Have to get my rest, eat right, keep my strength physically and mentally. 

What are some things that you think players could do now to prepare for the jump?

For me, the biggest thing is to be mentally strong. If you can go into pro ball with a strong mindset, things are going to be good for you. You have the talent that got you there but now to stay there, you have to keep your mind right, stay positive and bring solid energy every day. With you having that attitude, it’s going to help you go a long way in this game. Also keep the work ethic. Don’t let anybody outwork you.

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The Underclass Top Prospect Games is an INVITE ONLY event featuring top 2021 prospects from around the state. The event will take place on Tuesday, June 30 - Wednesday, July 1 at UNLV Players will participate in a pro-style workout, followed by simulated game-play. 

The event is limited in the number of participants.  Pitchers will be evaluated/videoed during live game action. Rosters will be organized/built by specific positions to maximize playing time/exposure for each player. If you want to take advantage of this opportunity, please get your registration in as soon as possible, as roster spots are limited, both by total quantity and by position.