STORY: 2019 RHP Hambleton Oliver (Calallen HS)

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - With junior year coming to a close, uncommitted players understand the importance of what lies ahead.

That is certainly the case for Hambleton Oliver.

“I’m looking forward to it,” the Calallen senior-to-be said of the summer months when recruitment will be at a premium. “It’s going to be fun, the best time of my life. It’ll be intense, but I’m interested in seeing what happens.”

Big 12, ACC, Pac 12 and smaller Division I schools have all shown interest in Oliver.

“Last summer was very helpful,” the 6-2 190-pounder said. “I went to a lot of camps. I really appreciate PBR helping. I went to All-States at Tomball and did well. I had 90 from the outfield and upper 80s on the mound and hit pretty well.”

While he has a couple offers, Oliver has had few visits, instead focusing his time on the high school season.

“It’s been a breakout year for me,” the 91st-ranked player in the 2019 class in Texas said. “I’m a lot stronger, I lost weight, I’ve gotten bigger and I throw harder. I’m doing everything better. It’s taken hard work every single day, 24-7, hard work all the time.”

A pitcher and left fielder with an occasional appearance at third base this year in high school, Oliver says “colleges are talking pitcher, first or third base and some outfield” as position possibilities in the future.

“Quite a lot are talking about two-way and a couple just on the mound,” Oliver said. “Obviously it would be nice to be a two-way, but if a college wants me to specialize in one area I can do that.”

Growing up Oliver has always been a pitcher, thanks in part to a father that threw for Baylor.

“My dad has played a humongous role in my life,” Oliver said of his father Don, a physical therapist who has also taught him everything you need to know about your body according to his son. “He pitched for Baylor and played in the minors. My whole life we’ve thrown together. He’s taught me the proper mechanics, spin action and arm action, whatever I need to know at all times.”

It has been a big year of development on the mound for the fourth-rated unsigned right-handed pitcher in the state.

“I’ve always been mentally strong,” Oliver said about his pitching. “But this year I’ve used a lot more legs which has bumped up my velocity more. I also have better command and throwing more strikes. My offspeed has also developed. I have a better slider and my changeup has a lot more depth.”

A member of the Bandito Scout Team last summer, Oliver will play for the Elite Squad National 17U team out of Florida this year, with hopes of gaining more exposure in an effort to reach that long-time goal..

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level I can,” Oliver said. “After college, then MLB.”

The reality hit last summer.

“Playing in all the tournaments and seeing all the scouts was amazing,” Oliver noted. “After I got my first offer I realized the dream was going to come true. It was gonna happen.”