2019 RHP Jack Washburn (Webster) recently committed to Oregon State. Washburn is currently ranked No. 2 in the PBR Wisconsin Class of 2019 and No. 90 in the PBR Overall Ranks. Washburn represented Wisconsin at the 2017 PBR Future Games in Indiana where he solidified himself as not just one of the top players in Wisconsin but in the country. He topped out at 90 mph with his fastball and showed a plus slider, Here is a report on Washburn from the Future Games.

2017 PBR Future Games - 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, projectable athletic frame, lean and long limbed, large hands and feet. Competitor on the mound, shows a ton of confidence and moxy. Forward rocker step out of the windup to loose athletic leg kick and squared landing, solid front side. Arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot. Gets tilt on fastball shows life and finish, touched 90 mph occasionally in second outing, sat 85-88 mph. Slider showed plus action, thrown aggressively 74-77 mph, hard bite and depth. High follow 2019 prospect with high ceiling.  

 

 

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

Washburn: Before any of the recruiting started I thought I would end up going to a school in Wisconsin like my dad did. Something like Oshkosh. I mean I only ever played on a team my dad put together and only one scout (UW Stevens Point) had ever watched us play. I never even dreamed of having the opportunity to play for one of the best college baseball programs in the country.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Washburn: I wanted to go to a college where I could develop as a player to my fullest potential and where I could be on and contribute to a winning team.

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

Washburn: Yes, location did matter for me. It wasn't so much how far away from home it was but I definitely wanted something similar to home. I come from a small town with the great outdoors all around me and I wanted to have that with me through 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?

Washburn:  Recruiting was fairly steady all summer leading up to the PBR Future Games. I would say that event was the most impactful. After I showed my changeup and ran my fastball up to 90 things started to get crazy.

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Washburn: The PBR Future Games. My dad and Coach Yesky from Oregon State were actually born on the same day in the same hospital so they were instantly friends and we shared many hobbies and interests so we had some talks where we would barely talk baseball which I thought was great because to me it meant my future coach was already my friend. 

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Washburn: Oregon State baseball is outstanding. I wanted to put myself in the best position for success and being coached by that staff made my decision much easier. I used to live up in Seattle so I already was familiar with the Pacific Northwest and loved that area.

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

Washburn: At the end, my decision came down to Oregon State and South Carolina. Right behind them was Nebraska and Xavier. Coach Erstad and O'Connor are great people and they were really supportive and helpful.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Washburn: The end of my freshman year Greg Reinhard invited me to play a couple fall tournaments with them and so I did, and a couple weeks after I started getting letters. That made me go "Wait.. these colleges are interested in me?" At that point, no one really knew about me and hardly anyone had seen me play so I knew that the following season when I got the chance to play in front of more schools I couldn't miss it.

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

Washburn: Play every game like it's your last. Make every pitch of every game the most important thing, and give 100% no matter who or where you're playing. You never know who's watching.

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

Washburn: Sectional championship: Pitching I had 13k's 1 hit and 2 walks 0 runs. Hitting I went 3-3 with 3 runs, a triple, a home run, and 4 RBI's. We won 13-0 in 5 innings.

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

Washburn: Anything short of a state title and we will all be disappointed.

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

Washburn: GRB rays, playing with those guys and getting coached by Greg, Max, Cooper, and Zach is a lot of fun and the guys I play with make it even better. Favorite moment from our summer was playing at Vanderbilt (minus pitching on the turf mound).

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