Rankings Spotlight: Garrett Stallings, RHP, Grassfield, 2016
January 16, 2015
Follow @PBRVirginiaDC
By Sammy Serrano
Director of Scouting
Garrett Stallings: ranked #4 in Virginia and #41 Nationally
High School: Grassfield
Position: RHP
College Commitment: Tennessee
Get to know prospect Garrett Stallings...
PBR: Tell us where you grew up, when did you start playing baseball, and who were your baseball influences and why?
Stallings: I grew up in Chesapeake, VA. I started playing baseball at a very young age starting with tee -ball and coach pitch. I started playing travel baseball at the age of eight. One of the biggest baseball influences I have had was the opportunity to learn from Coach Ryan Henry. He started coaching me at 8 years old and taught me the fundamentals of the game and how to play the right way; I continue to look for advice from him today. However, I have had many coaches over the years that have helped me become the player I am today including former big leaguer, pitching Coach Gary Lavelle, and all of my Evoshield Canes coaches I have had in the past.
PBR: You have been receiving a lot of notoriety lately. How does it feel?
Stallings: It feels reassuring; it shows that all the hard work and dedication does pay off.
PBR: You are committed to Tennessee. Tell us who were in your top three, your best offers, and why you chose the school you did?
Stallings: The University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Virginia Tech were in my top three. I chose the University of Tennessee because they have one of the best coaching staffs in the country with a lot of experience. The facilities and campus were incredible and felt like a place I would enjoy going to school. The atmosphere and fan base also drew me in, the fans are very supportive to all sports not just one or two. Tennessee also offers diverse academic programs, which is very important to me.
PBR: We know you’re a very talented player. Tell us all about you. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Stallings: I am a very competitive person and I love to compete.
Strengths: I would consider challenging the strike zone, consistency of my fastball, the ability to change speeds with all of my pitches, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations as some of my strengths as a player.
Weakness: I am trying to develop a slider and tighten up my curveball.
PBR: You’re ranked in Virginia and Nationally by Prep Baseball Report VA/DC (PBR). How does that feel considering the size and talent in the state?
Stallings: It feels great because there is so much talent and so many talented players that come from the state of Virginia. In addition, many big leaguers have grown up close to where I live that I have followed closely. David Wright, Michael Cuddyer, Ryan Zimmerman, the Upton brothers, Mark Reynolds, and several more…
PBR: What's your training look like this winter? Goals for the spring?
Stallings: I played High School volleyball again this season, it is a great way to stay in shape, have fun, and put down the baseball for a while. As soon as volleyball ended I worked with Rick Cox, a personal trainer, who has trained many professional athletes, for six weeks. I worked a lot on overall strength and fitness, especially my core. I then transitioned right into the weighted ball program and conditioning with Gary Lavelle in order to strengthen shoulder and make my arm healthier. I will continue conditioning with my high school team until tryouts.
My ultimate goal for this upcoming spring is for our team to win a State Championship.
PBR: How was your high school season last year? Team record? Post season awards? Stats?
Stallings: Last year’s high school season went pretty well; however, it did not end the way we hoped (14-8). I was named second team all-conference pitcher. I was 5-2, 59 strikeouts, era 1.32. I am especially proud that I only had 5 walks last year.
PBR: Preview your high school season? How will your team be this year? Expectations?
Stallings: I believe our high school team can be very successful this year. We have a ton of talent, many returners and have been putting a lot of work in this off-season. We have pitching depth and we have been putting a lot of hours in the cages to improve our hitting.
PBR: How are your academics? Any academic awards?
Stallings: I take pride in my academics. Education is very important to me because baseball can end at any point, but you will always have your education. GPA: 4.0, National Honor Society and National Latin Honor Society.
PBR: Who is the best player you will see this spring? Best team?
Stallings: Mikey Polanski will probably be the best hitter we will see this spring. Hickory and Western Branch are always competitive.
PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
Stallings: The most memorable moment in my baseball career to this point is winning the 14u BCS National Championship in Fort Myers, FL and receiving the MVP Pitcher award for the tournament.
PBR: Tell us something about yourself others don't know but would like to know. My great uncle, Joe Boehling, was a pitcher for the Washington Senators/Americans.
related content:
major announcements:
