Q and A with Northern Kentucky commit Jaylen Quarles
September 14, 2011
The 49th ranked player, Jaylen Quarles, in the class chose to further his baseball career and play at Northern Kentucky next year. Quarles is an power hitting outfielder from Lawrence Central High School. Here is our conversation with him...
PBR: What schools were you considering?
Jaylen: I was considering Xavier, Lincoln Trails, and possibly Parkland...I wanted to stay close as possible.
PBR: Why did you choose Northern Kentucky?
Jaylen: I chose Northern Kentucky because I felt that was the best place for me to play, and I wanted to play for Coach Asalon.
PBR: Was it important to stay close home/travel?
Jaylen: Yes it was, because I wanted to make it back as quick as possible if something went wrong with anybody in my family, and I also didn’t want to go too far away from home.
PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?
Jaylen: Right now, Coach Asalon has told me that he was going to work with me on my outfielding, so I don’t just hit, he wants me to also play the field.
PBR: What were your expectations about recruiting heading into the summer?
Jaylen: Playing travel ball I have always knew we all were being scouted, but honestly I just wanted a place to play in college, and Coach Jon has showed me a lot of things and made me who I am today in the world of baseball.
PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that you will help Northern Kentucky?
Jaylen: My biggest strength is by far hitting, I’ve been working on my arm and getting stronger in the weight room so I can be an all around player.
PBR: How has travel baseball helped your development as a player?
Jaylen: Travel baseball has helped me so much because it has given me the opportunity to play against some of the best players/teams in the nation and it lets me know where I stand.
PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?
Jaylen: My parents, Coach Charles, Coach Jon, and especially God. Without these people and a spirit, I would not have been playing baseball at this level and being this talented.
PBR: What were your stats for this spring season at Lawrence Central?
Jaylen: I batted .354 with 5 homeruns.
PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher/hitter that you have faced in Indiana?
Jaylen: The toughest pitcher I faced was easily Dillon Peters from Cathedral, he was an all around good pitcher and was tough to face. All of his pitches were "out" pitches and that’s why he was the best I’ve faced in Indiana.