Braden Spawr '19 Recruiting Profile

Heading into the 2017-18 Academic year, I will be a junior (class of 2019) at Valley Park Sr. High School in Valley Park, MO.  I'm currently a national honor society member with a 3.38 GPA (3.78 adjusted for AP courses).  I rank in the top 15% of my class (of about 80 students).

I have played on the varsity team of my high school as both a freshman and sophomore and I play summer travel ball with the Recruits Baseball Club in St. Louis, MO.  My main positions are catcher, pitcher and shortstop.  My coaches have said I will project to the middle infield positions at the college level.  

As a baseball player I have many strengths:

• Being both a catcher and pitcher has helped increase my knowledge of the game.  I have a high baseball IQ with regards to positioning adjustments, pitch sequences/selection and game strategy.
• As a teammate I strive to motivate/encourage others, not blame or judge.
• I don’t let mistakes get to me.  Positives can come out of errors or strikeouts.
• I have been able to throw with above average velocity at every level of competition (high positional throwing velocity).
• Very strong receiving, pop time, and blocking skills as a catcher
• The biggest strength is my internal drive to become the best player I can become at the highest level of competition.  I LOVE baseball and will do what others won’t in order to reach my goals.

Areas I am working to improve on during the season and this off-season include:

• Hitting:  Working consistently with my hitting coach to improve upon pitch recognition, exit swing velocity, and timing/contact.
• Fielding:  Working consistently with my fielding coaches on position drills, footwork, quickness and field positioning
• Throwing:  Working consistently with my pitching coach on throwing mechanics, throwing program, after throwing arm care, pitch location/accuracy, and pitch type/selection
• I constantly watch the game and ask questions of my coaches and teammates. (Where should I be in that situation?   Why did you throw that pitch on that count?  What did you see in your last AB?  etc.)

My goals for the upcoming season include:

• Maintaining health is the top goal:  I want to keep myself in top shape and continue with my arm care program so that I can play every game during my junior season.
• Second goal is to get bigger, faster, and stronger through weight, conditioning, and speed training.
• Get my GPA to 3.50 (unadjusted for AP courses)
• 1^st team All-Conference
• Missouri All-State selection
• Win a state title!

I’m definitely confident that I’ll be able to play at the next level.  I’ve got the physical tools, mental toughness, and motivation to contribute if given the opportunity.