Prep Baseball Report

The Recruiting Radar: '16 Jake Thompson, SS, Albert Lea



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By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

  

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The recruiting radar: '16 Jake Thompson, SS, Albert Lea

Name: Jake Thompson
Position: SS
Grade: 2016
Height/Weight: 6-foot/ 155-pounds
High School: Albert Lea
Ranking: 29th ranked player

Evaluation: 6-foot, 155-pound left-handed hitting shortstop. 7.03 runner. Loud contact during B.P. Gap to gap approach with some tendencies to try and yank balls at times. Quick hands and drives baseball with authority. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Thompson has some of the best infield actions in the 2016 class in Minnesota. Above average carry and accuracy across the diamond. Quick feet and good glove. Balance and body control is well above average. 83 mph arm strength across.

PBR: What schools have you been hearing from?
THOMPSON: I have heard from over 40 schools including South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Kansas State, Northwestern, Minnesota, Creighton, Incarnate Word, Iowa Western, Minnesota State, St. Cloud St., St. Thomas, Augustana, Ellsworth CC, and Hutchinson CC.

PBR: Have you developed a relationship with any specific coaches?
THOMPSON: I have been very lucky to be recruited by such great coaches. I have developed relationships with them all. Coach Akre from Ellsworth Community College has been very helpful to me in the recruiting process. Coach Schrage and Coach Grunzke from South Dakota State were the first coaches to contact me and I have talked with them the most. Coach Brown from North Dakota State, Coach Magers from Minnesota State, and Coach Olean from St. Thomas have been in contact with me a lot and I have gotten to know them well.

PBR: Have you taken any visits? If so, please describe each visit.
THOMPSON: I have visited South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and Minnesota State. At South Dakota State I toured all of the athletic facilities with the coaches. I met with the strength coach, academic advisor, assistant athletic director, admissions officer, and the entire coaching staff. I was given an academic tour also. Later in the summer Coach Schrage came to my house for a home visit. I talked with Coach Schrage more about the baseball program at South Dakota State. At North Dakota State I met with Coach Brown and Coach Pearson. We toured the entire campus and all the athletic facilities. I also was able to meet with the strength coach. At Minnesota State I met with Coach Magers. He gave me a tour of the whole campus and athletic facilities.

PBR: Do you have any visits scheduled?
THOMPSON: Yes, I have a couple more visits scheduled.

PBR: Do you have any offers at this stage?
THOMPSON: I have very generous offers from multiple colleges.

PBR: Do you have a timeline for your recruitment?
THOMPSON: I am comparing my options thoroughly to make the right decision.  Currently, I do not have a specific timeline.

PBR: Do you have a favorite at this stage? If so, who and why?
THOMPSON: I don’t have a favorite at this point. I am excited about every school recruiting me.  

PBR: What showcases or events have been most meaningful to your recruitment thus far?
THOMPSON: The PBR Pre-Season All State showcase, the PBR Top Prospect Games, and the Area Code tryout benefited me the most. I received a lot of the interest from schools directly from these three showcases. I also received a lot of exposure this summer playing with the Minnesota Mash.

PBR: GPA/ACT?
THOMPSON: My GPA is 4.15 and my ACT is 28.

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