By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Cole Donaldson, C/MIF, Francis Howell North HS, 2014
Donaldson was well on his way of achieving his goal of playing baseball at the next level. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound athletic catcher had shown well at the Missouri PBR Preseason Showcase in February, and was primed for a big junior season last spring.

But six games into the spring, Donaldson went down with a PARS fracture on his L4 and L5 vertebrae – essentially a stress fracture that had built up over time. Donaldson rehabbed it, then had another minor setback, which required four more weeks of core strengthening and flexibility exercises, he said.

Donaldson finally returned to the field in the summer, playing for the Rawlings Prospects.

When I returned for the final two weeks of summer I played very well,” he said. “I’m 100 percent healthy now.”

In February, Donaldson proved to be a versatile athlete, playing multiple positions well. He ran a 7.01 60 while showing athletic feet behind the plate. He threw 78 mph from the crouch, and 81 mph from shortstop. Offensively, he has a level, balanced swing, and registered an 86 mph exit velocity off a tee.

Donaldson said he feels stronger than ever. He said he’s talking with Murray State, Missouri S&T and Hutchinson CC.

Donaldson said he scored a 23 on the ACT and holds a 3.73 GPA.

CLICK HERE to view Donaldson’s profile and video