Q&A With Cal Commit Lorenzo Hampton Jr.

December 4, 2014

By Rob Sidwell
Florida Scouting Director

OF Lorenzo Hampton Jr. (Monsignor Pace, 2015) is a tall lean athletic projectable outfielder with huge raw power. He is athletic in the outfield with enough arm. The right-handed power bat can put on an impressive display in BP that has attracted a lot of the scouts in the South Florida area. The more frequent hard contact he makes, the more of his power that will play in games. He has recently committed to Cal.

Lorenzo is the son of Lorenzo Hampton, former Gator running back and first round pick for the Miami Dolphins.

It’s a bit unusual that Cal would get a player of Hampton’s caliber out of Florida, but Coach Esquer and his staff have succeeded, so we wanted to ask Lorenzo how that process came about.

Here’s our conversation with Hampton and his decision.

What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

I wasn't really sure what to expect when the recruiting process began. I just thought that if you play well in front of the right people, then you will get an offer. For the most part that's how it went but there were some bumps in the road. It ended being a long and stressful process, but one that I am extremely blessed to have gone through.

What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

I was looking for a good program with a tradition of winning. I also wanted a school with coaches that are willing to work as hard for me as I am for them.

Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Location didn't play much of a role in my decision. It's always been about where I'll be comfortable and happy.

When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

The recruiting process got pretty hectic after the WWBA in Jupiter my junior year. I feel like my showing that year really helped to get my name out there.

Where did Cal first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

They first saw me in Jupiter while I was playing for the Cardinals Scout Team. They sent me an email a week after the event asking me if I had committed anywhere. Once I told them I hadn't, they came after me pretty hard and it felt like a good situation from the start.

What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?

I loved the coaching staff and the way they approached training their players. They have a large emphasis on making good players that much better and that's something that I couldn't help but be drawn to. The academic proportion of the university was definitely a key factor in my decision.

What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Florida and Miami.

Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

I would say Brian Gonzalez. When we faced him, he was living in the low 90's from a tough deceptive angle that was almost impossible to pick.

At what point in your career did you realize you were a college caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

I've always felt as though I'm one of the best players at my age and I've strived to prove myself as such. Ever since I was a toddler, my goal was to play in the big leagues so I've always worked towards that.

What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Just to stay the course and stay true to the type of ball player you want to be.

What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Making it to the state championship my sophomore year.

Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

We return what should be a very experienced team. I personally believe that we are the one of the most well rounded teams in the state of Florida. Our expectation is to win a state championship. At Pace we have a strong tradition and we expect nothing less than to bring a state title back home.

Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

I played with the Atlanta Blue Jays. My most memorable experience was just the bond my teammates and I shared, and still share. We dealt with a lot from the coaches and that made us even closer than we already were. We still talk to each other almost everyday and that bond will hopefully be there for a long time.

Q&A With Cal Commit Lorenzo Hampton Jr.

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