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Player Spotlight: RHP/OF Mark Smeltzer (Washburn Rural, 2016)

November 17, 2015

Shon Plack
Kansas Scouting Dirctor



Mark Smeltzer (Washburn Rural, 2016) is a 5-foot-10 155-pound right-handed pitcher. 

On the mound, Smeltzer has a fastball that topped at 83 mph at the MO-KAN Fall Review in late October.  He has smooth rhythm in his delivery with his body staying under control.  Smeltzer holds his hands high during his delivery, and slides foot across rubber, staying in line as he strides.  He has a high-three quarters release with an athletic finish.  Smeltzer works both sides of the plate with his fastball at 81-83 mph. Curveball has 12-to-6 shape 69-71 mph and change-up at 72-74 mph with downward action.  Smeltzer has an athletic frame and repeats his release point well.

Here is a closer look inside the recruitment of Mark Smeltzer.

PBR: Are you looking for anything in particular in a school? (Example: high academics, certain academic program, local, etc.)
 
Smeltzer: I’d like to play at a JUCO with good coaching, top-flight competition and a solid academic support program that will prepare me for a shot at D-1 after two years.  I think, if I work hard, I can pitch D-1.  Right now, I think I’d like to be a special ed teacher and baseball coach, but things can always change.

PBR: How did you do your junior year? What were your high school statistics? And how did your team do? Name some players that will play a key role for Washburn Rural in 2016.

Smeltzer: I had good stats as a HS Junior, and I was Honorable Mention All-City as a pitcher.  I don’t have my stats, but all my stats from all my teams are available on Gamechanger.  WRHS lost in the Regional Finals.  I came in with a 3-2 lead in the 2nd and pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings.  My coach put a reliever in at that point and he gave up a couple of runs, so we lost.  I was begging to keep going!  I like pressure.  I’ll pitch against anybody, anytime in any situation.  I played a very high level of summer and fall competition, against most of the best players in Kansas and the Mid-West Region, with Brandon Johnson of Next Level Baseball.  I know I sent some stats to PBR earlier, but they are also on Gamechanger.  I think combined summer and fall I was 10-2 with an ERA around 1.00 over about 72 innings or so.  Coach Johnson has the numbers.  I hope to be a leader and the top pitcher at Rural next Spring, but other good players will be Reed Browning, Dillon Prokop, Nolan Brewer and Brayden White.
 
PBR: What are you goals for your senior season?

Smeltzer: I want to be our top pitcher and lead Rural back to State, to win State, in fact. I want to start and win in Royals stadium, and I’d like to be unbeaten on the mound.   And I want to play OF during my Senior year, too.

PBR: What travel team do you play for? Are you playing fall ball with a team?

Smeltzer: Next Level Baseball, summer and fall for the last three years.

PBR: Do you play any other sports?

Smeltzer: I don’t play any other sports in HS because I play baseball all year around.  I wanted to play  basketball as a Freshman and Sophomore, but I couldn’t quite crack the team.  I played a heavy summer and fall schedule, attended some camps and showcases and I take lessons at least twice a week beginning in November.  I’m a baseball player, 100%.

PBR: What are your ACT and GPA?

Smeltzer: I have a 2.7 GPA, but it’s going up this year.


For More PBR News

  • - Nov 12, 2015