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Q&A with U of Charleston commit Keith Parks

January 26, 2016

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By Jerry Shank
Maryland Scouting Director

PBR Maryland strives to be the most comprehensive source of player information across the state. The Prep Baseball Report is the No. 1 resource for high school baseball in each state we cover through our variety of events, boots-on-the-ground scouting staff, daily coverage, and multimedia platforms. Our multimedia platforms and events work in tandem, ultimately creating the most powerful source of high school baseball promotion in each state. While other organizations take a national approach, our goal is to become the authoritative voice on the ground level of each state.

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Today we chat with University of Charleston (WV) commit LHP Keith Parks.

Name: Keith Parks
Position: LHP
Class: 2016
Ht/Wt: 6-foot-1, 190-pounds
HS: Old Mill
PBR Rank: No. 66 in MD Ranks, No. 8 LHP

Scouting Report
10.27.15 - Projectable frame at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds. Throws from an over-the-top arm slot.  Sound arm action with slight pause at bottom. Creates quick arm speed. Lands in line to the plate with square finish. Nice lower half and gets nice hip clearance over front side. Could get more backside drive .Fastball has slight run on the pitch at 82 mph. Breaking ball has 1/7 shape, gradual break with nice rotation on pitch and near fastball arm speed. Changeup has fade to the pitch with near fastball arm speed at 69 mph.

What made the University of Charleston the right fit for you?
+ The opportunity to play early on and the coaches really made my decision easy. On my visit Coach Wright and Coach Costa both were welcoming and straight forward guys. The facilities and direction the program is heading under Coach Wright is something I wanted to be part of.

What was the recruiting process like for you?
+ I can defiantly see why people call it a roller coaster ride. Early on when coaches were first allowed to contact me I had about 3 coaches that day call and a couple the week following but after that I didn't hear anything until I was finished this summer. It takes a lot of patience but I felt in the end it all worked itself out.

What other schools did you consider?
+ Fordham, UMBC, Towson, Belmont-Abbey, Norfolk State

What were key factors you were looking for in your college decision?
+ Coach Miller at Rawlings always talked to us about keeping an open mind so I tried not to worry about what division a school was or such. I just tried to find the school that gave me the best opportunity on the baseball field and in the classroom.

What are your goals now before you graduate?
+ At Old Mill I think we have a lot of talent with eight starters coming back, I think the team mindset is that we want a state championship and have the talent to do so. I'd also like to get stronger before I get on campus.

When did things start to pick up in the recruiting process?
+ Things heated up right after my last tournament this summer so August of my Junior year.

What are you going to bring to University of Charleston as a freshman?
+ I'd like to bring a hard working attitude on campus and be a good teammate. As a player I think I'm a pretty stereotypical goofy left handed pitcher.

Who is the best player you have played against?
+ Beau Burrows (TX), we played against him a couple months before he was drafted in the 1st round (Tigers).

What summer program did you play for and what did you learn with them?
+ I played for the Rawlings As and I've been with Coach Miller and Coach McGowan for the past three years. They both taught me how to evaluate my game on the field but what I really took away from them was what it takes off the field to go to the next level such as nutrition, workout regimen, etc.

Do you have any advice for younger players beginning to/going through the recruiting process?
+ My biggest advice would be to stay patient. I would go months without hearing anything and randomly get a call one day. So don't panic and trust the process.

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