MITCH HAYTHORN (University of Oklahoma commit)

Mitch Haythorn RHP / 1B / Eaton , CO / 2024 Haythorn made plenty of noise during the 2022 Future Games as the now Oklahoma Sooner commit presented an elite slider that he can spin into the 2600s with sharp action. The senior also comes with a quality fastball that he's gotten up to 90 mph with spin around 2400 RPMs. Haythorn is able to tunnel both his fastball and off-speed exceptionally well already, and struckout 113 batters in 51.1 innings this last spring en route to a 10-0 record and a 0.82 ERA.

OUR Q&A:

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Haythorn: I expected the recruiting process to be a lot slower. I thought I was going to be making a decision around the end of the fall of my junior year but that wasn’t the case. Many of the coaches need/want a simple answer of yes or no as soon as possible so that was always something I needed to keep in mind. I wanted a college program that wanted me. The saying “go where you are wanted” is something I always reminded myself of. It became clearer and clearer as time went on who really wanted me to play for them. 

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

Haythorn: It really did, I loved some of the schools I visited that were a lot farther than OU. But being closer to home and living in a similar environment was important to me when making my decision. 

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Haythorn: The Future Games was a huge turning point in my recruiting process. Once I left the field and was heading to my car my phone was blowing up. I had just been tweeted out by Shooter Hunt and I received a few texts from some people that were helping me through the process and that's when I knew things were going to pick up. Thats when OU was able to watch me and get a better idea of the pitcher I was. 

PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Haythorn: The coaching staff, more particularly Skip Johnson was the biggest factor of my decision. We immediately clicked on the phone and during my official visit to OU I loved everything about him. He really made me feel like family. He made it clear that if I decided to commit there I was going to be apart of something bigger than baseball and that is family. It was a lot different than other schools. I was fortunate enough to eat dinner at Skip’s house with his wife along Coach Bonneau and his wife. We hardly talked about baseball for the most part. It felt like me and my family were just going to a relatives house for dinner. Thats how at home I felt when I was in Oklahoma. 

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

Haythorn: California Baptist, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Xavier, Cincinnati, UNC, Notre Dame and Oregon

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Haythorn: During live at-bats for my high school team I would have to face Walker Martin. He was always a tough out because of his hands. He can get to any ball that crosses the plate. There were only a small number of specific pitches I could throw to him and none of them were for strikes. 

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Haythorn: I began working with Mike Anderson when I was in 6th grade for hitting. I had heard him talk about how Walker is going to be an SEC player and I thought that was crazy. Sure enough he was right. By the time I was in about 8th grade Mike made it clear to me that I am a college baseball player if I wanted it bad enough. I had always worked hard but once I realized that Mike knew I could be a college baseball player this only made me work harder. Once I took my first phone call with a college coach the summer of my freshman year I knew I was going to be a college baseball player.

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

Haythorn: Work as hard as you can when nobody is watching and be as consistent as possible. Realize that confidence comes within yourself and never count yourself out. Always control what you can control and have a very short memory. The next pitch is always the most important. 

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

Haythorn: I was on the mound for the final out of our 3rd State Championship in a row. This was a moment I had been waiting for my whole life and I will never forget throwing the pitch then throwing my glove up next. 

PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Haythorn: Obviously we are losing two big pieces on the hitting and pitching side of things but I think we will be just fine. As long as we take care of what we need to in practice, focus on the main goal of being State Champions and realize that nobody is going to just lay down and give us the trophy, then I think we are going to be in a good spot. I truly believe that our mindset is going to be the biggest factor this spring. We have 6/7 of the 9 starters returning this year so we are in a good position and I am extremely excited for what lies ahead. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Northern Colorado Preseason ID	CO	02/04	The Sports Stable - Boulder, CO
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/04	The MAX - McCook, IL
Colorado Springs Preseason ID	CO	02/11	The Farm Sports
Denver Preseason ID	CO	02/17	Marucci Clubhouse
2024 Colorado Preseason All-State (Invite-Only)	CO	02/25	The Farm Sports - Colorado Springs, CO

RECENT NEWS: