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Q&A with Arkansas Commit Trey Ziegenbein (Blue Springs, 2017)

May 18, 2016

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Trey Ziegenbien (Blue Springs, 2017) has recently committed to play college baseball at Arkansas.  He stands 6-foot-3 160-pounds and and was up to 87 mph at the Preseason All-State Showcase in February. 

Ziegenbein has an athletic and aggressive delivery and releases from a high-three quarters arm slot.  He works 84-87 mph with late life and throws a high percentage of strikes.  His breaking ball has 12-to-6 shape, and some sharpness at 74-79 mph.  Ziegenbein has feel for a change up that he throws with fastball arm speed.  He works the bottom of the zone and sells his change-up well at 74-79 mph. 

He is a projectable class of 2017 righty with plenty of room to fill out physically and more in the tank veloicty-wise. 

He also shows well in the outfield with an 80 mph positional velo.  He has an 86 mph exit velo and runs a 4.41 home to first. 

Here is a look at how Ziegenbein become a Razorback.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Ziegenbein: Well, at the beginning of the whole “recruiting” process, I had large, expansive expectations.  After I underwent Tommy John Surgery in March, I didn’t really think I would have a shot at any storied programs such as Arkansas.  When I went down on my visit to Fayetteville, I did not expect to receive any sort of offer because of the condition of my elbow.  The process was far from easy, but with the help of my summer coach, Karl Carswell, my trainers Bob Zimmerman, Matt Hinkley, and Casey Shaw, and my parents, the process was well worth it.

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

Ziegenbein: Yes because I wanted to experience the independence of a college student, yet I wanted to be close enough so my family could come experience Division I college baseball with me as often as possible.

PBR: Where did Arkansas first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Ziegenbein: I am unsure where they first saw me, but I do know that they took a keen interest in my PBR profile and the videos that were on there.  I personally believe that the trusting word of my summer coach, Karl Carswell sealed the deal for me at the University of Arkansas.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

Ziegenbein: Hayden Bradford, by far, is the best player that I have faced.  He attends Lee’s Summit North and he is the toughest out at the plate that I have ever rivaled.  He has phenomenal range in the outfield, and there really is no ball that he can’t get to.  He is an aggressive baserunner, and he has one of the most advanced baseball minds in the game.  He’s truly a diamond in the rough.

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

Ziegenbein: The best advice I can give to young players is don’t take your body for granted.  You can never start maintaining your body too early.  Eating right, staying in shape by being a multi-sport athlete, stretching properly (arm care), and speaking up when you’re hurting, are all things that can help you stay as healthy as you can for as long as you can.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Ziegenbein: To keep myself in shape, I have always kept myself busy with other sports.  Specifically, this past winter I attended Premier Pitching with Bob Zimmerman, Casey Shaw, and Matt Hinkley.  This was able to help me build up strength, keep my arm healthy (until Tommy John of course), and gain necessary velocity to compete at a high level.

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

Ziegenbein: I have a couple.  As a young baseball player, I always dreamed of putting my talents in front of the eyes of college coaches.  I got that opportunity with the KC Barnstormers where I played in the WWBA Perfect Game tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.  Playing against the best of the best is truly something special.  My recent commitment to the University of Arkansas has to be my favorite because it just showed that hard work really does pay off, and seeing the pride in those around me is great.

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

Ziegenbein: The first factor that I took into consideration was the absolutely astonishing facilities that the U of A has provided for its student-athletes.  The second factor to my decision was the storied tradition that the program has and how competitive they have been in one of the best conferences in the nation. My last factor, that really was the deciding factor, was the fact that the coaching staff believed in a kid with Tommy John enough to offer him a shot. 

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

Ziegenbein: Due to my situation with my elbow, and not being able to step on the field for my junior season, I had no other opportunities with any other institutions.  Once the offer came from Arkansas, I couldn’t pass up such a unique and special opportunity.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Ziegenbein: After the PBR Pre-Season All-State event at the Mac-n-Seitz facility, that’s when people took notice in the progress that I had made that winter.  It took up until now to finally seal the deal on my recruitment and I couldn’t be happier.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Ziegenbein: I play for the KC Barnstormers under Coach Karl Carswell.  Throughout my first season with the organization, I had many great experiences with a lot of humble and talented guys.  What really stood out to me was the week that we spent in Atlanta for the WWBA Perfect Game National Championship where we played some of the best talent in the nation.  The game that I threw against Marucci Trosclair was very special to me.  I got roughed up for three runs in the first two innings, but after a brief rain delay I went on to throw five scoreless to pick up a no decision.  Even though the game ended in a tie, I had a blast doing what I loved in such a great atmosphere.

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