Q&A with Underclass Invitational Participant Jaren Piepho

January 28, 2016

By Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director

Prep Baseball Report Colorado is ready to hit the ground running in 2016 with two major events. The Underclass Invitational event at Slammers South will take take place on January 31st. Over the coming weeks, PBR Colorado will introduce you to 2018 and 2019 players who have committed to this event. Continuing our look is 2019 C/3B, Jaren Piepho of Rocky Mountain High School.

PBR: Describe yourself as a baseball player to those who have never seen you play:

Piepho: I am a smart player who plays the mental side of baseball. I get on base a lot. As a catcher, I like to control the game and keep my players under control so I can get calls from the ump.

PBR: What would be your dream school to play baseball at? If you have already committed to play at the next level, why did you choose that particular school?

Piepho: Stanford. Ever since 5th grade I dreamed of playing baseball at Stanford. In a 5th grade presentation, my life goal was “I want to be a 3 sport AllAmerican at Stanford, so I can get a good job.”

PBR: What are your best assets on and off the field at this point in your high school career?

Piepho: My best asset is my intelligence. I am very advanced in math and get great grades in every subject. Part of that is because of my determination and dedication. I work very hard. This helps on the field because I am able to play the mental side of the game, and I work very hard so I can also play the physical side.

PBR: What is the best baseball advice you have received and try to follow to this point in your career?

Piepho: “Do Less” This essentially means that practice and the offseason, you should have put in enough work to be able to not have to think about it in the game. In the game you should “Do Less” and rely on muscle memory so you don’t make things over complex. This helps me simplify my approach to catching and hitting so I can just simply do my best instead of trying to be perfect.

PBR: What does your offseason routine look like to prepare for the upcoming season?

Piepho: I am currently playing basketball. That is my form of conditioning and my way to stay athletic and well rounded. I also hit with a hitting coach twice a week. I catch bullpens for my high school on Saturdays. I work catcher with my dad in my basement 12 times a week.

PBR: What are your superstitions or routines that go on during a season?

Piepho: I have a superstition that I hit better once I am dirty. I also have to tie my shoes the perfect tightness. I have to be very stretched out before I can play well. If I am tight, then it gets in my head and I am not as quick and strong. I always take about 510 minutes of my own time before a game to stretch. One important superstition I have is not much of a superstition but more of something every catcher should do. I always introduce myself to the ump and try to make small talk so he likes me and gives me questionable pitches.

PBR: What are your goals for:

This Season: I would like to hit at least 2 homeruns this year. I would like my batting average over spring, summer and fall to be at least .390. I would like to throw out 85% of the runners that are under my control (pitcher gets the ball to me in reasonable time). I would like to catch 85% of the games for my team, and stay healthy so I can do this.

Two Years: I want to be the starting catcher for my high school and also be a prominent player on the radar for college scouts.

Four Years: I want to be playing college baseball somewhere on a scholarship. I would love to go to Stanford.

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