Derek Link is a physically imposing 6-foot-3, 215-pound first baseman who has power potential at the plate, while showing athleticism for a player of his size at first base. Link is primed for a big senior year at Fair Grove HS and looks to be one of the offensive leaders of a team looking to improve on a disappointing end to their 2012 season.

PBR: What do you expect going into your senior season?
Link: Going into my senior year I am expecting a chaotic fun experience trying to decide where I want to go to school but I am extremely excited because I expect big things from myself this season. In order for my team to be successful I need to have a huge year.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player?
Link: My biggest strength as player, I feel like would be my high IQ for the game as well as my plate vision.

PBR: What aspect of your game do you believe needs the most improvement?
Link: I definitely need to improve in hitting for more power, as well as more quickness defensively.

PBR: What are your expectations and experiences in the recruiting process?
Link: So far my experiences have been limited but I’m expecting things to pick up as we get closer and into baseball season. As of right now I have one offer to play baseball at Evangel University.

PBR: What type of program would you like to play at? What is most important to you: Caliber of program, coaching staff, academics, etc…?
Link: Every kid growing up as that dream to play at the highest level possible, I feel like I would love to play at Division 1 school, but I also understand that I may be better off at a really good lower 4 year school, I am also considering going to a Junior college as well. The things that are most important to me is a good coaching staff that is going to push me to be the best player I can be and I want to go to a place that I fit. Academics are also a big factor for me.

PBR: What schools are you most interested in right now, and why?
Link: As of right now I am showing a little interest in Evangel, but like I said earlier coming from southwest Missouri playing baseball at Missouri State is always an interest because of the location to home and the top players that have came from there.

PBR: What were your personal goals for the 2012 season and were they met? Goals for the 2013 season?
Link: My goals in the 2012 season were to bat over .400 and I completed that at .445. I also wanted to lead my team in RBI’s and I did that as well. My goals for the 2013 season are to be one of the most dangerous batters to step in the box. I want to bat over .450 with over 30 RBI’s with a minimum of 6 home runs. I feel like those goals are attainable and that I can go above and beyond that.

PBR: What team do you play for in the summer?
Link: This summer I played for the Springfield- Hillcrest Merchants legion post 69ers, coached by Ryan Schaffitzel.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher/hitter that you have faced?
Link: The toughest pitcher I have faced was probably a lefty from Columbia Rockbridge over the summer. I don’t know his name but he had a killer change up that fooled most of our hitters, to go with a mid to high 80’s fastball.

PBR: What is your fondest memory or highlight from your 2012 baseball season (High School or Summer)?
Link: My summer team was competing in the legion district tournaments and we needed to beat a team twice to win the district and I went 4-5 with 2 doubles and 8 RBI’s in the first game and  a game winning  2 out RBI double in the second game with the runner at first.

PBR: What is your most memorable moment in baseball so far in your life?
Link: My most memorable moment in baseball was this summer getting to go to state with my team in Legion. 

PBR: You recently attended a PBR Showcase, what are your thoughts on how it will be beneficial to you as you keep moving forward in the recruiting process?
Link: This will be beneficial for me because of coming from a small school this gets my name out there in the recruiting game. This will give coaches more than just a name but a visual of how I look in the box or in the field.