Rankings Spotlight: Justin Ager, RHP, Loudoun Valley, 2016
January 14, 2015
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By Sammy Serrano
Director of Scouting
justin ager: ranked #14 in Virginia and #121 Nationally
High School: Loudoun Valley
Position: RHP
College Commitment: Yale
Get to know prospect Justin Ager...
PBR: Tell us where you grew up, when did you start playing baseball, and who were your baseball influences and why?
Ager: I was actually born in California and lived briefly there and in Maryland. But, I grew up mostly where we live now, in western Loudoun County, in Hamilton, which is a small town near Leesburg and Purcellville. I played in Upper Loudoun Little League, which is a very good league. Many players from ULLL are going on to play in college. I’ve had so many people who have influenced me. My early instructors (Mark Harris - Nats minor league coach, Bo Bundrick - pitching coach in Winchester, Mike Nielson – hitting instructor at DST and Sam Plank- travel coach at Diamond Elite / Head Coach at Stone Bridge HS) all had a huge influence on me, because they taught me the fundamental skills I needed at that age as well as how to play the game the right way….compete, respect the game and have fun. My dad also influenced me a lot and pushed me hard, especially in dealing with adversity. He knows baseball very well and, like me, was a pitcher. I give him a lot of credit for helping me set high goals and develop a love for the game.
PBR: You have been receiving a lot of notoriety lately. How does it feel?
Ager: It feels great, but only because it is another step toward reaching my goals, and because it is a sign of hard work paying off. But, I really don’t focus on it. I love the game, enjoy competing with my teammates and want to continue to develop so that I can reach my goals at the next level.
PBR: You are committed to Yale. Tell us who were in your top three, your best offers, and why you chose the school you did?
Ager: I committed to Yale just before Christmas. At the time that I committed, my top 3 schools were Yale, Dartmouth and Richmond. My best “financial” offer was from Richmond, and there was nothing that I did not like about the school or the baseball program. It was a terrific option. The coaches were impressive and really made me feel wanted. I love the school/campus and was very interested in the undergrad business program. I am convinced it is a baseball program on the rise with Coach Woodson in charge and was impressed with his MLB background. I also had attractive offers from GWU and Villanova with others highly likely/pending from a few Patriot League schools. Ivy League schools do not offer athletic scholarships but do provide perhaps the best academic opportunities in the world, so it is still extremely competitive, especially with the academic requirements. I was in different levels of discussion with most Ivy League schools.
I chose Yale for a few reasons. Most importantly, I think it is one of the best schools in the world from an academic perspective. Also, I really got to know the coaches well, and they showed early and strong interest in me. They were open and honest with where I stood. I knew I was very high on their board for 2016s, but I also knew that I had to have a certain combination of grades and SAT scores before they could “offer”. As soon as I got the score that they wanted to see from me, they offered. I am told and I expect that I will be able to contribute right away once I get there, as long as I continue to develop like I have. One major factor for me as well is that Yale’s Head Coach, John Stuper, is a former RHP in MLB (Cardinals, Reds) and has a strong track record of developing pitchers. So, I will get a terrific education and can still keep alive my dream of playing professionally.
PBR: We know you’re a very talented player. Tell us all about you. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Ager: I am a PO (Pitcher Only), so the ability to focus on just pitching helps me a lot. I believe my size (6’ 3”, 210); frame and “projectability” are what many college coaches/scouts like about me. I’ve been told I throw with a “downhill plane” with movement, especially on my 2 seam fastball. I’ve worked hard on my off-speed pitches as well. My curve ball has a 12/6 spin and has been very effective for me. I believe I can throw it consistently for strikes. My change up is good but developing, but I do have a lot of confidence in it and like to throw it…when it’s on. Also, the mental side of my game has improved a lot in the last couple of years, and I have become more and more aware of it. But, I want to be even better and will work hard to accomplish that. Mostly, I want to improve my overall consistency, command and my change up. Velocity improvement is something that every young pitcher works on, of course. My velocity has shown a nice trend with a big jump (+4) this Fall, but I’m going to continue to work hard and hope to be in the 90s when I get to college.
PBR: You’re ranked in Virginia and Nationally by Prep Baseball Report VA/DC (PBR). How does that feel considering the size and talent in the state?
Ager: It is very flattering, and I was actually somewhat surprised. It has also driven me to work even harder to improve, as I know the competition will only get tougher at each level. There is no doubt in my mind that Virginia is a hotbed for baseball talent, and I am lucky to be able to face high level talent here locally and regionally. I believe that is the best way to develop. I really think it is great what PBR does and how you bring exposure to players like me.
PBR: What's your training look like this winter? Goals for the spring?
Ager: I work out 6 days per week at three different facilities. In addition to regular lifting with my HS team that started in December, I do a work out/throwing program 2 or 3 times per week with Rob Riley and Dan Olds at R&D Baseball Academy in Tysons Corner, VA. Rob and Dan are the best and have helped me in so many ways. Their arm care, velocity, arm strength and stretching program is second to none, in my opinion. And, I just love their enthusiasm and the attitude and mindset that they bring and preach.
When I can fit it in (at least once per week but more in the Fall), I work out with an outside strength, fitness and conditioning trainer where I focus on lower body, core strength and explosive movements along with mobility. I also long toss at home when possible, and I do Jaeger J-bands religiously...both during the season and in the off-season.
I also spend time on the mental game. I've read books by Brian Cain. Mostly recently, my dad gave me a famous book that I really love and just finished. It is called "The Mental Game of Baseball", by H.A. Dorfman and Karl Kuehl. There are several key thoughts from that book that I use when I am on the mound, and it definitely helps me to stay relaxed, focused and avoid negative thoughts.
PBR: How was your high school season last year? Team record? Post season awards? Stats?
Ager: My Loudoun Valley HS team won the VHSL 3A State Championship last year; the first state title in baseball for our school in 42 years. We played very well all season long. We were 24-3 and had 11 team shutouts. Our team's ERA was right around 1.0, I believe...while mine was below 1.0. In 3 starts, I was 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 1.6K/IP, but I did take the loss in a couple of close games in short relief. In my first varsity start ever, I pitched a complete game shutout and had 11 strikeouts and allowed 2 hits.
PBR: Preview your high school season? How will your team be this year? Expectations?
Ager: We have such a solid program and experienced coaches that we should be good again, although we did lose 8 seniors, including our #1 pitcher. I believe we will be strong "up the middle" - C, P, SS/MIF and in CF. We have 3 D1 commits (myself and 2 others, both going to Liberty) coming back. We also have at least 2 other players that are being recruited by D1s. Including myself, we will have 3 starting pitchers returning who saw significant action last year. It will be hard to repeat what we did last year, but we look forward to the challenge and our coach, Wayne Todd, will have us prepared, that’s for sure. One thing of note is that we have a brand new field this year right next to our school. In the past, our home field had been Fireman's Field, down the road in town. That will be fun, to play on a brand new field, especially as we'll get to hang our 2014 State Championship banner.
PBR: How are your academics? GPA? ACT? SAT? Any academic awards?
Ager: GPA: 4.1 (4 AP classes this year)
SAT: 2060
Awards: National Honor Society
PBR: Who is the best player you will see this spring? Best team?
Ager: That is difficult to say, because there are so many good players that I’ve grown up and played with in our area who are working hard and will play D1. Our cross-town rival, Woodgrove, should be good this year, mainly because they have a very deep pitching staff returning. I mention them because we all grew up playing Little League and travel ball together, and I know them well. Austin Rader, 2016 LHP from Woodgrove, has great stuff on the mound and competes harder than anyone I know. I know he already pitches in the upper 80s and getting stronger with good secondary stuff. He committed early to his dream school, Navy. Although we won’t play them, another Loudoun County program that will be very good again is Stone Bridge. Sam Plank (a former travel coach of mine) is a great coach and always gets the best from his talent, and they have a lot of it in their 2016 class.
PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
Ager: Two moments stand out, and both are from 2014. (1) Winning the 2014 VHSL 3A State Championship with my Loudoun Valley HS team; it was such a great season from beginning to end, and our team chemistry was awesome. Coach Todd told us way back last winter that we had the talent to win it all. So, that was our mindset from the beginning. We started strong and never let up. Everyone made sacrifices to achieve the ultimate goal...and we all now have rings to show for it! (2) In addition, my USA Elite 2016 team went 8-1 (7-0 in pool play, with 7 total runs allowed) and made the Final 16 in the 2014 WWBA Underclass in Georgia this summer. That is a memory that will stick in my mind for a while. We had a great run, and it was against great competition, with a lot of college coaches watching every game.
PBR: Tell us something about yourself others don't know but would like to know.
Ager: A few quick things:
- I am a huge Pittsburgh Pirates fan and love watching their big RHPs, A.J. Burnett and Gerrit Cole, pitch
- I am a leader and actively involved in the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) at Loudoun Valley HS.
- I help my mom raise and train service dogs for an organization she is heavily involved with call VMF (Veterans Moving Forward)
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