Thayer Receiving Looks As Two-Way Player

Julian Thayer SS / RHP / St. Paul Catholic, CT / 2020

MERIDEN, Ct. - An increase in pitching velocity has Julian Thayer on a new recruiting trail.

The versatile St. Paul Catholic junior is now getting college interest as a pitcher in addition to infield and outfield.

“I definitely want to do both things,” Thayer said about being a two-way player in college. “Even if It’s just one, the way things are now I can always fall back and do the other instead of going to the bench.”

A low-80s hurler a year ago, the right-handed throwing Thayer is now being clocked at 85-87 on the radar gun.

“It’s been a lot of practice and workouts and a pitching program,” the 20th-rated 2020 in New England explained. “Not only is my velo for pitching up, but my fielding is a lot cleaner.”

It has a number of schools showing an interest in Thayer, a middle infielder with the capability to play third base and outfield as well as pitch.

Visits have been made to Hartford and Southern Connecticut State with another planned to Central Connecticut State. The sixth-ranked junior shortstop in New England, who received an offer from Hartford, has also been in talks with Boston College, Fordham, Villanova, UConn, Fairfield and Sacred Heart along with Nova Southeastern in Florida,

“They like me being a two-way and also how I can hit,” Thayer noted about the interested colleges. “They also like how explosive I am.”

An exit velo of 90 to go with a 6.75 time in the 60 has the 5-11 180-pounder, who played for Connecticut in the PBR Future Games in August, with a big upside.

“I feel I can provide a lot to a school with the kind of effort I put in,” Thayer noted. “I can provide leadership and can also help by being explosive with how I run and how I hit using my legs.”

However, improvement never ends for Thayer ... not with playing at the next level in sight.