Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Trey Nichols (Bowling Green) is a 6-foot 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher, recently committed to play at State Fair Community College in Sedalia.

Nichols ran a 6.87 60 at the Class of 2017 Games in June, on of the fastest times for the event, and had a 4.53 home-to-first.  At the Kindle Sports Academy Showcase on January 16, Nichols registered a 98 mph exit velo with a tall stance, and minimal load at the plate. His swing produced line drives to middle and pull side of field.

Behind the plate, Nichols has pop times between 1.91 and 2.00, and an 80 mph positional velo.  He has quick actions, over the top release, and his throws have carry to the bag. 

Here is a look inside the recruitment of Trey Nichols.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Nichols: My expectations were that it wasn’t going to be as hard as it was, but it turned out to be way harder. However, after learning more about it became much easier along with the help of my coaches.

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

Nichols: Location did play a small factor because my dad has watched me play and I wanted to be able to come to my games, so I didn’t want to go more than about 6 hours away from home.

PBR: Where did State Fair first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Nichols: State Fair first saw my info and video on PBR. After that, Coach Kindle called me and we set up a time for me to come for a visit and a workout. Then I went and worked out for them one more and from there everything fell into place.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

Nichols: Aaron Stone was the best player I faced because he played for our rival school Palmyra and we were always facing each other in the district championship. He always stepped up his game in the championship. The last time I faced him, he was upper 80’s almost 90 with a wipeout slider, and threw a no hitter against us.

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

Nichols: My advice would to work hard and give it everything you’ve got. If its your dream to play at the next level you have to do whatever it takes to get there. If that means sacrificing some of your social life for baseball, then do it.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Nichols: I always lift at least 3 days a week, long toss every day I can if the weathers permitting, and I hit 2 or 3 times a week.

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

Nichols: The most memorable moment is a tie between going to play baseball in Puerto Rico and signing my Letter of Intent to play at State Fair.

PBR: What do you like most about State Fair and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Nichols: What I like most about State Fair is that right away, in their first season back, they are going to be competitive. I know it’s going to be a place that pushes me out of my comfort zone, and will make me better for wherever I transfer to after 2 years.

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

Nichols: The other schools on my short list were McHenry County College, Quincy University, and John Wood Community College,

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Nichols: The recruiting process really heated up for me after my fall season in 2016. I started to figure my swing out and that’s when coaches really started to notice me.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Nichols: My high school season should be the best one yet. PBR has us ranked 10^th in the state in Class 3 so our team should be really good as it has been the past few years. As for goals, we have very high expectations for ourselves; we expect ourselves to win districts, and we are working to become a state dominant team and make it to the final four,

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Nichols: I play for Team Combat out of St. Louis. The most memorable experience is hitting a go ahead home run in the top of the 8^th in the championship game of a tournament.

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