Q&A With Oklahoma Commit: '17 Michael Jensen, RHP, Holy Family

February 17, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

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Name: Michael Jensen
Position: RHP
Class: 2017
Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 205-pounds
High School: Holy Family
PBR Rank: #4 in MN 2017 Class

Evaluation: 2015 Future Games - Jensen is a 6-foot-5, 205-pound right-handed pitcher from Holy Family Catholic High School. Large frame that should continue to fill out with increased strength and maturity. Uptempo delivery with solid athleticism. Moderate effort from 3/4 slot with varying cut and flashes of above avg. run on 84-86 mph; touching 89 mph. Slider at 78-81 mph has sharp break and shows ability to show in zone and take away from hitter. Advanced feel for changeup at 77-79 mph; that you typically don't see from a pitcher of his size or age.

PBR: Why did you choose the University of Oklahoma?
JENSEN: I chose The University of Oklahoma because it just felt like it was home. Coach Pinzino and Coach Hughes are some of the most highly regarded and nicest coaches I have ever met. They were one of the major influences in my decision to attend Oklahoma.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
JENSEN: I was considering Maryland, Oregon, Minnesota, NC State, West Virginia, UNC, Kansas, UCONN, Virginia Tech, Illinois, Mizzou, and others.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
JENSEN: The coaching staff first saw me at the Area Code Games Tryouts last summer. I did not start talking with them until after the PBR Future Games in the beginning of August. I called them and talked a lot with them through Justin Musil from Elite Sports Advising and I visited in late August.

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?
JENSEN: Yes, and no. Yes because visiting these schools was a lot of money and it took a lot of time away from schoolwork and my overall focus on getting better as a pitcher. No because visiting schools and hearing their different perks and assets as a school itself was really fun.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
JENSEN: The deciding factor was the coaching. Don't get me wrong, all of the coaches that I met through the process were great, but Coach Hughes makes his players feel like they are still at home when they get on campus. Him and the entire coaching staff are like that.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
JENSEN: The three people who have helped me the most are Adam Barta, Jesse Tollefson, and my dad. My dad has helped me be the person that I am today. Always joking around and having a great time playing the game that I love. Jesse Tollefson has helped me mature as a baseball player, since when I was an over-sized 14 year old. He helped me keep my composure on the mound, and taught me what it takes to be a pitcher. Adam Barta taught me about keeping loose on the mound. Just having fun, and helping me enjoy the game that I love to play. Whether it’s making us laugh in the dugout, or talking to me on the mound, he always has my back.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?
JENSEN: It was a little difficult at first, but my process went from medium paced to very fast paced after the PBR Futures Games. After that, it was a blast, and I enjoyed every second of it.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?
JENSEN: They have told me that they have every intent of giving me every opportunity to start and pitch my freshman year, but nothing is ever guaranteed. So I just have to make the most of my opportunities and control what I can control.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
JENSEN: My most memorable moment(s) were this year with Blizzard. Playing with Johnny Price and the best team in the state was a blast. John always made us all laugh and helped us enjoy the game. People usually guarantee home runs, and it usually doesn’t happen, but with John it did. He told me when we were down 1-0 that he was going to hit one, and he did. My teammates and I will forever be playing for him.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?
JENSEN: The best player that I have competed against would have to be teammate Sam Carlson. We are on the same team but whenever we scrimmage or throw live pitching against each other, it is always a battle.

Q&A With Oklahoma Commit: '17 Michael Jensen, RHP, Holy Family

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