Jaun Ready For Challenge Of Two-Way Opportunity At Cornell

LOVELAND - William Jaun had no trouble summing up his college decision.

“The chance to play as a two-way at an Ivy League school was too much to pass up,” the St. Xavier senior said.

That opportunity came this summer after Cornell showed interest in the second-ranked 2021 first baseman in Ohio.

“Over the quarantine I hit and worked out every single day,” noted Jaun, who began talking with Cornell two months ago. “I started the (summer) season on fire which really helped me out. I was able to step my game up and compete right away.”

An older brother who played in the northeast benefitted the recruiting process.

“He had gone to Bapson and knew a coach in the Ivy League,” related Jaun, the 39th-rated uncommitted 2021 in the state prior to making a decision to make Cornell his future home. “I ended up talking to an assistant coach and we talked for an hour. He was an unbelievable guy. The next week the head coach Facetimed with me and my parents. They were personable, genuine guys. You could tell they knew their baseball and education, but they also cared about you as a person. I’m super excited to be part of it.”

Helping make the decision to commit easier for the 6-3 225-pound left-hander was the possibility of playing first base as well as pitching at the school located in Ithaca, N.Y..

“He said my arm path was clean,” explained Jaun, who had taken visits to Columbia and Dartmouth prior to COVID-19 bringing an end to college visits.

Pitching at the next level has only developed recently for the 76th-rated incoming senior in the state, who was also considering John Hopkins.

“I was never valued as a pitcher until this year,” noted Jaun. “I went to a PBR in the winter and sat 81-82, topping at 84, but for some reason my first outing (in the summer) I was 84-85. The next I was 85-86 and I’ve been 85-86 from then on.”

In his first 23.1 innings this summer, Jaun permitted just one extra base hit.

“It was easy to show video,” Jaun said of the recruiting tool being used with college coaches not allowed to witness games live this summer. “I have a nice change to use off my fastball. Now that I throw it harder, I can work off it more and I also have the ability to work backward.”

Jaun is not the first in his family to make a name on the mound.

“My dad pitched at Notre Dame and threw in the 90s,” Jaun related. “He said he threw the straightest four-seam fastball you’ve ever seen and gave up the longest home runs. He said ‘you’re lucky your ball moves.’ 

“I’m above where he was at this age,” Jaun added. “If I go upper-80s or low-90s in college I could go on as a pitcher. A lot of doors baseball-wise have not shut which is awesome.”

The dream to play beyond high school began in fourth grade according to Jaun.

“That was when college baseball became the goal,” Jaun explained. “When I made varsity at St. X as a sophomore is when my goals started to come true. After that it was preparation for the next goal … college baseball. The third goal is professional baseball.”

In addition to his father, Jaun’s grandfather played baseball at Pittsburgh.

“The best memories I have is a little field at Indian Hill,” Jaun reflected. “There’s an L-Screen there that has survived 15 years. I’ve probably been there 1,000 times.”

The work has paid off with a commitment to Cornell.

“They like my hitting for power,” pointed out the left-handed hitting Jaun. “They said I have tremendous hand-eye coordination. I hit line drives consistently. With pitching they look for guys with a clean arm slot and clean delivery. Mechanically, he said I look great pitching and said ‘I know I can build off of you.’ ”

A 33 on the ACT and a weighted GPA of 4.43 has Jaun ready for the Ivy League challenge where he is considering a major in a field of science and/or history.

“With everything that has happened during my recruitment it’s been really difficult,” Jaun said in reference to the pandemic slowing down the process. “I’m so fortunate to have the weight off my shoulders.”

There is more than being a strong student that Jaun believes he can provide the Cornell program.

“First of all I’ll bring energy,” Jaun related. “I also step up in the clutch. I love big moments, that’s something I can add to a team. I try my best to be a Joey Votto-type and think I can compete against anyone in college. I’m one of the more competitive people there is. I really care about winning and about the program.”