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Q&A with Jeff Co. Commit RHP Spencer Juergens (Borgia, 2015)

November 10, 2014

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Spencer Juergens, a 6-foot-2 200 pound RHP, burst onto the recruiting scene at the Class of 2015 Prospect games in Warrensburg in August.  Juergens, worked a quick inning that day, collecting a pair of strike outs.  Juergens had a fastball velocity range of 85-87 MPH with hard action and run. He showed a knuckle curveball at 68-72 MPH with 12/6 shape and late break. Juergens also displayed a change-up that ranged from 72-75 with near fastball arm speed and good sink. His command of three pitches and ability attack hitters, turned the heads of several area schools. 

Juergens was 7-1 last spring for Borgia, earning All-State honors for his efforts.  He posted 1.06 ERA in 53 innings pitched, he k'd 37 and walked just eight hitters.  During the summer, Juergens pitches for American Legion Post 218 out of Washington, MO, where he had continued success.

Juergens shared his recruiting process with us in a interview below. 

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Juergens: My expectations was not what I thought it would be.  I expected schools to come watch me play in high school and in the summer and then hopefully get offers from them after seeing me pitch. It turned out being very difficult as this fall it came down to me attending showcases each weekend for the schools I had interest in and sending video of me pitching.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Juergens: Not really.  I was open to the idea of going to a D1 school in the midwest or south, but had the intentions to go to Jeffco if I chose to go the juco route, which I did.  I didn't see any reason to go far away from home to go the juco route, Jeffco offers everything I wanted.My expectations was not what I thought it would be.  I expected schools to come watch me play in high school and in the summer and then hopefully get offers from them after seeing me pitch. It turned out being very difficult as this fall it came down to me attending showcases each weekend for the schools I had interest in and sending video of me pitching.

PBR: Where did Jeff Co. first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Juergens: Jeff Co first seen me at the PBR showcase in Warrensberg this past August.  I then visited in September and they made me an offer.  I was then in pretty regular contact with Coach Evers via phone and text messages, Coach Evers visited me the first week of November and I decided to make a verbal commitment the following week.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Juergens: I was definitely looking for a program that has a structured off season workout program.  I am anxious to get in a program and concentrate on baseball structured workouts during the off season and see how much better I can make myself.  I have always played basketball in the winter and have never concentrated on just baseball workouts.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Juergens: Always try to make yourself a better player.  Never take anything for granted. I would definitely suggest start going to showcases and getting your name out at least by the beginning of your junior year in high school.  I felt like I started my recruiting process late, the first showcase I attended was at the beginning of my senior year.  I set goals I wanted to achieve each season and already have made some goals for myself for my senior season in high school and already have some goals as to what I want to achieve when entering college.

PBR: What do you do in the off-season to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Juergens: In the off-season I get away from baseball and play basketball.  I will start throwing around the first of February and be ready when the season starts in March.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Juergens: I would have to say playing legion and winning the state championship my freshman year.  That summer we won 39 games and was on a roll all summer.  Our 2nd loss of the season was a 2-1 loss to St. Genevieve in the first  state championship game which was my first loss of the season, but we came back the next day and won the deciding game for the championship.  It was awesome!

PBR: What do you like most about Jeff Co. and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Juergens: The key factors for me choosing Jeff Co was first it is recognized as being a good academic school, secondly it is a school that is highly recognized for sending players to four year schools and to professional baseball.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Juergens: My decision came down to Central Missouri Univ. and Jeff Co. UCM has a great program and their facilities are going to be great once they are all completed.  I just wasn't sure about being locked in to a 3 year commitment.  I decided to go with Jeff Co. so I will have the option to transfer if I want to play somewhere else at the end of my 1st year or 2nd year of college.

PBR: 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?

Juergens: The recruiting process definitely got going after the PBR showcase in Warrensburg for unsigned seniors in August.  Until that point no schools had seen me pitch.  After that showcase coaches contacted me and  I sent video and communicated with coaches via phone, text , and email.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals? Name some players that will play a key role for Borgia in 2015.

Juergens: Expectations are going to be very high for Borgia baseball this spring.  We have a lot of key players returning and if we can stay healthy we expect to make a run at the state title in class 4A.  Along with myself we have 2 other quality starting pitchers, Nate Hillerman and Evan Ayers.  We also have our starting catcher returning, Justin Baylard.  On the infield our starting shortstop returns, Gus Kleekamp, and in the outfield we have starter John Himmelberg returning.  We also have a strong group moving up to fill spots.  Hopefully we can put it all together and make it happen!

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Juergens: In the summer I play American Legion Baseball for Washington Post 218.  Playing at the freshman level we had an overall record of 39-2.  We won the state championship for the first time in history at that level for Post 218.  The following weekend I got to be the starting pitcher for the All Star game at T.R. Hughes ballpark in O'Fallon.  It was a great time.  We beat Jeff City my sophomore year and that was a great game.  My teammates made some great plays to get me the win.  It has been a great ride!

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