Commitment Spotlight- '17 Nate Shoemaker, RHP, Minnetonka
September 8, 2016
By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota
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Name: Nate Shoemaker
Position: RHP
Class: 2017
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 185-pounds
High School: Minnetonka
PBR Rank: #25 in MN 2017 Class
Evaluation: 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #34 ranked player in MN 2017 class. Athletic frame. Solid present strength. Controlled coil over rubber, explodes well to plate, short arm action from ¾ slot. Above avg. life on fastball with heavy late sink. Fastball was 85-86 mph; touching 89 mph on his last pitch. Curveball has tight rotation with small break off the barrel at 72-74 mph. Has above avg. feel for changeup with fade and late action. Has made big strides on mound over last year. College reliever/closer type arm.
PBR: Why did you choose Creighton University?
SHOEMAKER: Creighton was the right decision for me for multiple reasons. They are a competitive program that has realistic expectations of being in the tournament every year, and they have the facilities to go along with that. I feel that I can get better as a player while working towards a strong medical degree. I also loved the small campus feel in the urban setting of downtown Omaha.
PBR: What other schools were you considering?
SHOEMAKER: I was talking to Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma, and Illinois.
PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
SHOEMAKER: The coaching staff first saw me at a Legion game in Omaha. They had me in for a visit later that weekend, and our relationship developed from there.
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?
SHOEMAKER: I do feel relieved for sure. While looking at options for my future was exciting, it was a lot to juggle with summer ball and football and the start of senior year. Knowing where I will go to college has definitely taken a lot of pressure off.
PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
SHOEMAKER: There really was no deciding factor for me. Everything about Creighton feels right for what I am looking for, and that made the decision pretty easy.
PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
SHOEMAKER: My parents have helped me more than I could ever acknowledge. Other people that have significantly impacted me include the entire football and baseball coaching staffs at Minnetonka.
PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?
SHOEMAKER: I was very intimidated at the start of the recruiting process. I knew I wanted to be in an urban setting with a good medical program, so that helped narrow things down a little for me. I also had the help of Ryan Schwertman and Justin Musil, which helped immensely with the baseball aspect. I wanted a place where both of these things came together, and I found that. Even though it was relieving to make my decision, it was not a difficult process.
PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?
SHOEMAKER: I am expected to go in and work hard and keep getting better, and the rest will sort itself out.
PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
SHOEMAKER: My most memorable baseball moment was playing Prior Lake on our Senior Night. There were about 600 people there and we pulled out a comeback win late in the game.
PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?
SHOEMAKER: The best player I have competed against is Nick Hanson from Prior Lake.
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