Prep Baseball Report

Prospect Q&A: Tyler Ducksworth


Ronald Sims
Mississippi Scouting Director






The Prep Baseball Report Mississippi scouting staff recently sat down with South Jones shortstop, Tyler Ducksworth to discuss his recent commitment to Jones County Junior College. Below is a transcript of our question and answer session:

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?
Ducksworth: I really wasn’t expecting much from the recruiting standpoint. I just wanted to go out there and play ball.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Ducksworth: The location did play a small factor in my decision. I wanted to play somewhere where my family could come support me and enjoy themselves without having to worry about traveling

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Ducksworth: Jones first saw me in the 9th grade when I was playing third base for south jones. But my contact with them didn’t start till the summer of my junior year. I got to talking more to coach Rhodes and coach Kirtland they wanted me to come in and be the guy to play shortstop for them.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Ducksworth:It’s a lot of great baseball players I’ve played against since I’ve been at south. It’s hard to just choose one

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Ducksworth:After my freshman year. I batted 433. And I also made all state that year too. That’s when I know I had something special going.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Ducksworth:I was really looking for a place that would take my skill set to the next level. I wanted a honest and a high energy coaching staff to work with. And jones has always had a great program and they also wanted me to be their guy.

PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?
Ducksworth: It’s really hard for me to just point out one of my best attributes because I don’t like to show a weakness in any part of my game so In practice I like to polish up every aspect of my game.

PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?
Ducksworth: I think my biggest improvement that I need to make is In my two strike hitting. I’ve gotten better at chocking up and just tryna put the ball in play.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Ducksworth: Keep god first no matter how successful you get.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?
Ducksworth: I’m in the gym every day and I’m also running and keeping my body in tip top shape.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Ducksworth: I love my coaching staff. They are great guys and they are very honest with you. I’ve developed a great relationship with them. The key factors in choosing jones was that they have always had a winning tradition and that they were really close to home.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Ducksworth: Alabama State, Alcorn State, University of Alabama Birmingham, Jackson State, East Central CC