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Commitment Q&A With Kansas Commit Ashton Nance

January 12, 2024
By: Diego Solares
Central Region Media Director, Area Scout

Over the last calendar year, RHP Ashton Nance (Blue Springs South, 2025; Kansas commit) has climbed up our board for the state's 2025 class considerably. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound right-hander started his ascent this summer at the Kansas City Program Invitational, showing an uptick in velocity while pounding the strike zone consistently over a quick look.

From 7/6/23: "...Kansas commit. Physical 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame that’s leaned out over the last calendar year and added quality muscle. Took the mound on Thursday morning for Mac N Seitz. Fastball touched 87, sat 84-86 mph through his first three innings of work. Comes out clean, more to come as he continues to mature physically. Late spin on a tight slider, 73-74 mph, spotted it around the zone at times. A rising prospect in Missouri’s 2025 group."

(6/29/23)

Nance's most impressive showing in front of our staff came this October at the Mac N Seitz Scout Day, however. He ran his fastball up to 90 mph, pitching at 86-89 mph with hard arm-side action that averaged 17 inches of horizontal movement. He landed a tight slider at 74-75 mph for strikes and he also showed feel for the zone with an upper-70s changeup.

(10/29/23)

Recently we spoke with the Kansas commit on his recruiting process, why he chose the Jayhawks, his favorite baseball memory, and more.

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?

Nance: I was looking for a program that just seemed to fit the most. Looking for a coaching staff that was with me and what I wanted to do. 

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

Nance: I wanted to stay close to home to be able to have my family still close to me. 

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

Nance: The recruiting process really started fall of my sophomore year, I went to a KU camp and that’s when they first started talking to me. 

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

Nance: Really love the coaching staff, love that it’s close to home, and KU is on the rise right now with recruiting. 

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

Nance: I was talking to Oklahoma and Memphis before I committed.

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

Nance: I think one of the best players I’ve probably faced is INF Drew Dickerson (Lee's Summit West, 2024; Oklahoma signee) in high school season. He’s just a dominant hitter, always battles at the plate which made it tough as a pitcher. 

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?

Nance: My sophomore year is when I realized that I had a chance to be good and got really serious about it. 

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

Nance: The advice i would give is no matter what point you are at now, keep working. The grind never stops, no matter how good you are always continue to work and get better. 

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

Nance: The most memorable point in my baseball career is definitely when I commited. 

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

Nance: I think our team is going to be good. Most people don’t think we will be good this year because we lost a lot of talent, but we have a lot of younger guys for us who can step up and really help. 

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