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Q&A With Washburn Commit Jake Michalski

October 15, 2014

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

We had the opportunity to see Washburn Rural LHP Jake Michalski on a number of occasions in the spring and summer. Each time out it was the same thing - a lot of strikes, a lot of outs and a lot of quick innings. The savvy lefty recently decided he will be taking his talents to Washburn University next year and playing for new Ichabod head coach Harley Douglas.

We had a chance to talk with Michalski about his decision, his spring/summer seasons and his thoughts on other area high school players:

PBR Kansas: Why did you choose Washburn?  

Michalski: To me Washburn was the best choice for me. I have a good relationship with Coach Douglas. Also I will be playing with my former high school teammate Tyler Palmer. They brought me in on a visit and offered me a good scholarship and I decided Washburn is the best option for me.  

PBR Kansas: What role does the coaching staff expect you to play during your first year on campus?

Michalski: Coach Douglas didn't give a specific role but he said he expects me to contribute. Whether it's a reliever, spot starter or regular starter is up in the air. 

PBR Kansas:  What things do you need to improve on before getting to Washburn?

Michalski: Keep working on consistently throwing strikes as well as work on increasing velocity. 

PBR Kansas: Outside of your family, who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player and why?

Michalski: My coach since I first started playing, Craig Cox. He has been the coach of my summer team the Iguanas since we first started the team when we were in kindergarten.

PBR Kansas: What were the highlights of your spring season as a team and individually?  

Michalski: As a team highlight I would say being part of such a fun and talented team and getting to the state tournament at KU. As an individual I would say coming in against Seaman while playing at Kaufman stadium and getting the save. 

PBR Kansas:  Tell us about your experience with the Topeka Iguanas organization and things they have helped you with in your development.

Michalski: We started with a group of parents who were all friends and had kids my age. Our coaches were always the dads on the team and it has been great to be able to stay on the team since the beginning along with Derrick McGreevy, Reid Fehr and Zach Holmes. 

PBR Kansas: What is the best advice you would give other high school players regarding the recruiting process?

Michalski: Keep your mind open to any schools and if you are set on going to a particular school do whatever you can to get there. 

PBR Kansas: Who are the three toughest Kansas high school hitters you have faced?

Michalski: Reid Fehr (Topeka Seaman HS, 2015), Mason Gifford (Shawnee Heights HS, 2015) and Justin McNorton (Topeka Seman, 2014).

PBR Kansas: You have seen a lot of Kansas high school baseball players over the last several months.  Who is one class of 2015 prospect you think might be flying under the radar that people need to know about and why? (outside of your spring/summer teams)

Michalski: Mason Gifford from Shawnee Heights. He is a real good catcher as well is an extremely good left handed hitter.

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