Commitment Q&A: 2018 SS/RHP Jonathan Ornelas Picks Tennessee

September 22, 2017

Jordon Banfield
Arizona Scouting Director

PBR Arizona sat down with recent Tennessee commit 2018 SS/RHP Jonathan Ornelas to talk about his decision making process and what sold him on the Volunteers. As always please keep us posted on any commitments that are made so we can cover them appropriately.

Scouting Report

9/20/17 - Professional level actions at SS. Soft hands, ability to throw from all angles, enough arm to stay on the left side. Displayed strong feel for the game. Gets late start with leg lift at times but consistently made loud contact in game. Potential to develop average power with increased physical strength.

8/10/17 - Hopped on the mound for final inning at Area Code Games. Sat 89-91 with arm-side run and mixed in sharp curveball at 75. Struck out two.

8/2017 - Athletic actions at shortstop. Quick exchange. Average arm. Solid bat speed. Twitchy with some whip in swing. Lacks present strength, but flashes pull power. Strong defender with agility. 5-for-13 with a double and two runs scored at Area Code Games.

PBR: Why did you choose Tennessee?
Ornelas: I chose Tennessee because I wanted what was best for me and it just felt like the right fit. Everything about it was attractive to me and I had a feeling when I got there that it was going to be a special place.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Ornelas: I was considering Utah, Arizona, and Grand Canyon as my other choices.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them
Ornelas: I first met the coach Vitello when I was playing in Long Beach for the Area Code Games. He was able to watch me play all week and then got in contact with me. From there I went up on a visit and got closer to him as well as the rest of the coaching staff and some of the players as well.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
Ornelas: My parents would be the ones that have helped me the most because they are the ones who introduced me to the greatest game in the world They have guided me in life and taught me everything I know along the way.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer/fall and what has that experience been like?
Ornelas: I play with a lot of different teams but I usually play with the Warriors and Sandlot over the summer. Just this fall I got the opportunity to play with the D-Backs Scout Team. The experience on all of my teams has been amazing. I like all the coaches and players and they help me and everyone else get seen and improve.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have for you in your freshman season?
Ornelas: They do not have a true shortstop this year so he said my role my freshman year would be to work hard and earn the every day job at short.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
Ornelas: My most memorable moment is definitely winning state this year at Kellis…it was an amazing experience and not a lot of kids get to say they did that.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced in Arizona?
Ornelas: I would have to go with Matthew Liberatore because he just knows how to pitch and he mixes everything up very well from his pitches to his delivery.