Talking College with Justin Hackett
March 15, 2021
Contemplating college can be difficult for any high schooler. But for baseball players, navigating the world of showcases, camps, games, phone calls, letters, coaches, and more can be downright daunting. In this article, Justin Hackett discusses how he decided, how he got there, and what advice he has for younger players.
Justin Hackett
Class of 2022 / RHP
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2022
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Primary Position: RHPSecondary Position: 3B
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High School: WintersetState: IA
- Summer Team: Iowa Sticks
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Height: 6-3Weight: 210lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Pitch_Scores
ProPlayAI
Justin Hackett, Winterset class of 2022, has proven himself to be dominant on the mound as an RHP. He was ranked 1st as an RHP and 3rd overall by PBR among Iowa’s class of 2022. While putting up big numbers at various PBR showcases, Hackett started connecting with college coaches until finally committing to Texas Christian University.
It all started with a showcase. “The fall going into my freshman year, I did my first PBR event through the Sticks,” Hackett said. “And then that summer, freshman summer, was my first one in Iowa City. And so a lot of coaches started recruiting me after the one in Iowa City.”
Hackett’s success during showcases came from his training over multiple years. “A lot of it has to do with training to be able to show up and perform,” he said. “You're not always going to be your best one day, so I'd say just kind of get out there and just show your development early. When you show up freshman year, and you're throwing lower 80s, and then you come back another year later, and you're adding velo.”
But more doors opened as Hackett continued working. “Then, this sophomore year, I started gaining more velo, and they started talking to me more,” he said. “A lot of schools reached out, and they're all really nice about it. I'm thankful to have those opportunities.”
With multiple options available, Hackett chose TCU. “There's a couple different things,” he said. “I had a really good relationship with all the coaches there. And I mean, we're just like-minded as far as what I wanted to do. And obviously, take the next step once you get there trying to get to a league and stuff like that...But we drove down, and I kind of got a feel for the campus. There's just a gut feeling that that's the place I needed to be at.”
He enjoyed meeting people throughout the college process. “There's just a lot of options, a lot of really good people just reaching out,” Hackett said. “Building relationships was the biggest thing for me. I got to meet people all over the United States and got to talk to a bunch of different coaches.”
Overall, it was a pleasant experience. “At times, it got pretty busy as far as getting calls all the time,” Hackett said. “But I guess that's a good problem to have, and I can't really complain about too much.”
Justin Hackett 9/13/20
The Iowa Sticks were a large part of his journey. “I wouldn’t be in this position without the help of many people,” Hackett said. “Evan Romanchuk and the people in the Iowa Sticks organization have given me endless opportunities to be seen as well as train at one of the premier baseball facilities in the midwest.”
So were other organizations. “David Conrad and Next Step Sports helped me navigate through the recruiting world and really allowed me to establish strong connections with coaches across the country,” Hackett said.
And, of course, his family. “Most importantly, I wouldn’t have been given any of these opportunities without the endless support and sacrifice from my parents,” Hackett said.
Looking ahead to collegiate baseball, Hackett is looking forward to building relationships. “Being able, again, to develop relationships because the biggest thing is baseball will end one day, but the people that you meet and make friendships with will never go away,” he said.
With family, coaches, and mentors supporting him at each step, Justin Hackett has his college plans solidified. He developed and grew as a pitcher to allow for more opportunities, and he made the most of them when they came. Now Hackett can focus on the game in front of him and the excitement of what’s to come.
Savannah Dennis is currently a senior at Johnston High School and has been working for Prep Baseball Report Iowa as an intern since October 2020. She has been managing the Johnston baseball team since she was a freshman and has also worked for the Iowa Sticks team as a data collector. Outside of the baseball industry, Savannah is the Print Editor for the Johnston Black & White newspaper. In the fall, she plans on going to college and majoring in statistics while managing the chosen school's baseball team.