By Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director

Jared Bonato, RHP/OF, ThunderRidge, 2015: 6-foot-2, 165-pound RHP, good pitcher’s frame with projection, uses long arm action through high ¾ arm slot, regular effort in delivery, fastball sat 79-81 mph, and has a 66-68 mph curveball that is thrown with good arm speed that produces a sharp 11-5 break.  Bonato has excellent command of the zone surrendering only 2 hits in 4 innings and striking out 3.  He uses his 6.81 60 speed to glide through the outfield and closes on balls very well in the gap.  That same long arm produced a OF velo of 80 mph. Very good base runner.  At the plate the right handed hitter launches from a balanced stance. Good hands allow him excellent bat control gap to gap.  Turns well on the inside pitch and uses an exit velo of 84 mph to drive balls with good backspin and carry.

PBR:  What schools have expressed interest in you?

Bonato:  Colorado Christian University, Dordt College, Cairn University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Beloit College, United States Air Force Academy

PBR:  Have you taken any visits, or have any visits scheduled in the near future? If so, what schools, and how recently?

Bonato: I have official visits scheduled to Colorado Christian University on November 7 & 8 and Dordt College on October 16 & 17.

PBR:  Are you looking for anything in particular in a school? (Example: high academics, certain academic program, local, etc.)

Bonato: Academics comes first. I am looking for a school where the student to faculty ratio is low and there is a hands-on learning environment. I am interested in studying Business and/or Sports Management and location is not really a concern.

PBR:  How did you do your junior year? What were your high school statistics? And how did your team do?

Bonato: This spring, I was on the ThunderRidge High School Varsity baseball team which advanced to the final 6 in the 5A – Colorado State Playoff finals.  My primary role was a courtesy runner, backup outfielder and relief pitcher.

Spring

AB     H       1B     2B     3B     HR     RBI    R       SB     OBP SLG   AVG

11      4       3       1       0       0       1       9       7/7     0.364 0.455 0.364

This summer, I was on the Team Colorado 18U baseball team.  My primary role was a starting outfielder, playing all three outfield positions and a relief pitcher.

Summer

AB     H       1B     2B     3B     HR     RBI    R       SB     OBP SLG   AVG

94      31      20      5       2       4       25      20      13/13 0.398 0.553 0.330

PBR:  What are you goals for your senior season?

Bonato: I want to be a leader, as a starting outfielder and relief pitcher, in getting ThunderRidge a third State title.  I also want to make the All-Conference and Colorado Futures teams.

PBR:  What travel team do you play for? Are you playing fall ball with a team?

Bonato: I played for Team Colorado 18U in the summer and I am not currently playing fall ball.  I am focusing my time and efforts on attending showcases and prospect camps at colleges I am interested in attending and playing baseball.

PBR:  Do you play any other sports?

Bonato: My high school sports include baseball, track, and basketball.

PBR:  What are your ACT and GPA?

Bonato: I have a 3.62 un-weighted and 3.69 weighted GPA and I have super scored 27 on my ACT.