Q&A With Western Illinois Commit: '16 Javin Drake- Wilton

October 28, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

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Name: Javin Drake
Position: RHP/3B
Class: 2016
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 205-pounds
High School: Wilton
PBR Rank: #11 in IA 2016 Class

Evaluation: 6-foot-4, 205-pound 2-way player. Long lean athletic player. Ran a 7.46 60. High Follow prospect with room for additional strength and size. Simple mechanics. Some crouch at balance point. OT slot with some effort in release. Occasional downhill plane to fastball. Some recoil in release. 84-86 mph; touching 88 mph. Curveball has hard 12/6 shape and break. Slider is plus pitch- cutter action with late break and depth at 75-77 mph. Changeup is heavy with 2-seam run. Throws strikes with 4 pitches; body projects; and arm action is long and clean. Long levers. Flashes power to pull side. Front heel turn trigger to swing. Solid contact. Front foot hitter at times. Overall solid contact. Short to contact. Stays connected well for player with length in limbs. Good extension and separation after contact. 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Long clean arm action in field. Throws are accurate with carry. 83 mph arm strength across infield. Solid glove. Glove will be stiff at times. Shows appropriate feet and actions for third base.

PBR: Why did you choose Western Illinois University?
DRAKE: I think Western Illinois has a very knowledgeable coaching staff. They showed a lot of interest and attended several of my games. It is also close to home.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
DRAKE: Minnesota, South Dakota State and Kirkwood CC.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
DRAKE: I believe Coach Brownlee first saw me at a showcase last Spring. Coach Brownlee and Coach Igara talked to my high school coach and attended several of my games.

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school?
DRAKE: Yes, it feels good to have made a commitment and now I can focus on making improvements to my game.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
DRAKE: I really enjoyed my unofficial visit to the campus and was impressed when I met with the coaches. I think they are moving the program in the right direction and I am looking forward to being a part of it.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
DRAKE: It has been a combination of my youth coaches who taught me the fundamentals of the game and my high school coaches who have pushed me to get to the next level.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?
DRAKE: I really didn’t know what to expect until I talked with others that had been through the process. It wasn’t too difficult.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?
DRAKE: To continue to develop as a pitcher and be ready to fill a role.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
DRAKE: My freshman year hitting a walk-off against Iowa City Regina while picking up the win on the mound to secure a conference title.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?
DRAKE: Joey Polak from Illinois who is committed to U. South Carolina.

Q&A With Western Illinois Commit: '16 Javin Drake- Wilton

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