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Commitment Spotlight- '17 Joel Thompson, C, C.B. Lewis Central

August 31, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

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  Joel Thompson

Name: Joel Thompson
Position: C
Class: 2017
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 195-pounds
High School: Council Bluffs Lewis Central
PBR Rank: #9 in IA 2017 Class

Evaluation: 6/1/16- 6-foot-3, 195-pound physical athletic catcher that ran a 7.41 60 yard sprint. The #9 ranked player in the state of Iowa. At the plate, open stance, toe tap trigger to swing. Pop to the pull side with mature barrel control on a line drive swing path. Posted the top exit velocity of 94 mph off a tee. Fundamentally sound behind the plate with a strong base and quiet hands. Posted pop times between 1.87-1.97 and a throwing velocity of 82 mph to 2nd base.

PBR: Why did you choose the University of Iowa? 
THOMPSON: The reason that I chose The University of Iowa was because I know that I was going to be the right fit for me. The coaching staff and the facilities were just amazing. I wanted to be a part of a team that can get to Omaha, and with the classes above me I truly believe that it can be done.

PBR: What other schools were you considering? 
THOMPSON: Other schools that I was considering we're Iowa Western Community College, Southern Illinois Edwardsville and Iowa Central.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them? 
THOMPSON: They saw me play my sophomore year. Our relationship grew over the years with the help of my Head Coach, Lee Toole, who helped me stay in contact with them.

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school? 
THOMPSON: Yes, the feeling is so amazing! I don't really have to worry about what college I'm going to go to, or if I'm going to go Division 1 or JUCO.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
THOMPSON: What made me want Iowa the most was the recruiting class that I am with. I have played with many of them and it just helped more and more knowing that I'm going to be teammates with these guys.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today? 
THOMPSON: My dad. He has been the biggest supporter ever. He helps with everything, he will drive me 2000 miles just for me to play more baseball. He does everything for me and I'm thankful for that.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult? 
THOMPSON: What I originally thought about the whole recruiting process was it was going to be really easy. But in reality it's harder than I thought it was going to be. I was going to camps and doing showcases just to get In front of coaches.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season? 
THOMPSON: They have plans to get me quicker behind the plate. I have the strong arm but my feet aren't quick enough to have a better pop time. Also they are going to help with my swing and make some changes to it.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date? 
THOMPSON: My most memorable baseball moment was when I was 14. We were playing in the state tournament and I saw a fastball come into the zone, and I took the biggest swing I've ever taken. It felt good off the bat, I busted out of the box and just thought it was a lazy pop fly, I rounded first and saw all my teammates coming out of the dugout and I looked out and saw that I hit my first home run.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against? 
THOMPSON: Some of the best players that I have played against are Gavin Lux, Ben Rortvedt and Spencer Van Scoyoc.

 

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