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Recruiting Spotlight: Mitch Boe Commits to Iowa

June 30, 2014

Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Mitchell Boe

Joliet Catholic 2015 shortstop Mitch Boe recently made his college commitment to his dream school, the University of Iowa.  The 5-foot-10, 160-pound, left-handed hitting middle infielder hit .384 during the spring for the Hilltoppers with a .474 OBP, 11 stolen bases, and only seven errors defensively.  Boe interviewed with Prep Baseball Report about his experience with the recruiting process and his high school/travel ball experiences over the last few years. 

What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?
I didn't really know what to expect.  I knew I just had to keep working, and I knew if I did that everything would fall into place.

Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Yes and no.  Distance was not really a deciding factor in my process, but it is definitely a plus that Iowa is only about three hours away.

Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
They first saw me in the winter at the Cangelosi college development camp.  I performed well and started talking to them the next week.

Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Joliet Catholic (Mitch’s high school) always plays a tough schedule.  On a regular basis we faced
Jake Latz, Jake Godfrey , Brad Bass, Mike Costanza, Trent Johnson , a lot of D-1 arms, but I would have to say the toughest was Alex Troop.  His fastball has a lot of movement and his change and curveball are dirty.

What has been the lowest point in your baseball career; what have you learned from it and how has it helped you grow as a player?
I don't know if there was a lowest point, one thing that stands out to me is that a lot of coaches put a lot of stock in the "eye test" because of that it has made me work twice as hard and helped me grow as a baseball player.

What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
I was looking for a program that had the resources, a winning culture, and coaching staff that can make me a better player and take me to the next level. Coach Heller and Coach Sutherland talked about the culture of their program, out working the competition, and grinding every day.  That is a perfect fit for my game.

What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?
I would say my leadership, baseball IQ, and baseball instincts. These attributes, in my opinion can't really be taught and don't show up in a showcase setting, but give me and my team an edge on the field.

What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?
The part of my game I need to improve the most is getting bigger, faster and stronger.  Continuing to get in the weight room and SAQ are the keys to achieving my goals.

What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?
I do something every single day.  I will get in a workout with my HS team, my summer team, or do strength and speed at Acceleration in Naperville, IL.

What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
No doubt when I got called up as a sophomore to help my HS team (Joliet Catholic) to a 3A state championship in 2013.

What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
I like the direction Iowa baseball is headed.  I was very impressed with the coaching staff, and the resources available, like the practice facilities, the weight room, having a trainer, our own nutritionist, and being a part of the Big Ten.

What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Other schools were Xavier, Oakland, Cincinnati, Nebraska, and Northwestern.

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?
I would say last summer I went on a few coaches radars, playing most of the travel season in Florida and Georgia, and this past winter participating in a couple of showcases , one being the PBR Preseason All-State Showcase. I also had a few coaches reach out to me after reading a couple of scouting blogs Prep Baseball Report did on me.  Shortly after, I was talking to schools on a weekly basis.

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