MLB Draft just another mile marker for Gamecocks recruit Eli Jerzembeck
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (BVM) — For Eli Jerzembeck, baseball is in the blood.
Eli鈥檚 father, Mike, had a nine-year professional career that included a major-league stint with the New York Yankees.
Following in his father鈥檚 footsteps, Eli would naturally become a pitcher, taking advantage of having his dad鈥檚 guidance whenever he needed.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e ever had to look to anyone else for advice,鈥� Eli said. 鈥淧eople always ask, 鈥榃ho do you train with?鈥� I鈥檝e never worked with anyone. I鈥檝e just worked with my dad for I don鈥檛 remember how long. It鈥檚 awesome to have that in your corner, because you always know you have someone you can trust. No one wants you to succeed more than your father.鈥�
His father鈥檚 teachings have paid off in a big way.
Eli is the No. 5 player in the state of North Carolina and is primed to be selected within the first few rounds of this summer鈥檚 MLB Draft.
But for the 6-foot-2 right-hander out of Providence High School in Charlotte, he鈥檚 focused on the long haul rather than immediate fame.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a mile, not a sprint,鈥� Eli said. 鈥淵ou see all these guys trying to prove themselves early, but it鈥檚 a lot more than that. You have to be within yourself and just know what you鈥檙e working for.鈥�
One of Jerzembeck鈥檚 first mile markers was committing to the University of South Carolina. He pledged his future to the school prior to the beginning of his sophomore season getting a major decision out of the way.
Wow! I am extremely blessed and excited to announce that I have committed to the University of South Carolina to continue my baseball and academic career. I would like to thank God, my family, coaches, and friends for helping me through this journey.
— Eli Jerzembeck (@elijerze5)
鈥淲hen I went to South Carolina, I was like, 鈥業 feel very comfortable here,鈥欌�� Eli said. 鈥淚t kind of reminded me of my childhood. I always grew up going to the beach with a lot of palm trees. It had the same feeling in Columbia. Even though you鈥檙e not near a beach, it had the same feeling and I loved it.鈥�
But with Eli鈥檚 draft value, it is not a guarantee he makes it to campus. With the MLB Draft set to begin on July 17, Jerzembeck will have a decision to make on his future.
鈥淚 definitely like to not think about it,鈥� Eli said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to get caught up with going to ESPN and looking at MLB鈥檚 top 100. That鈥檚 fine, but I think I still have so much more to prove. I think I鈥檓 the best pitcher in this class and I think I can prove that.鈥�
While his three–pitch mix includes a mid-90s fastball and a curveball that he repeatedly throws for strikes, Jerzembeck鈥檚 best asset may be the mentality that he brings with him to the mound.
鈥淚 have a short-term memory on the field,鈥� Eli said. 鈥淵ou either do good or bad and you don鈥檛 want to think about it. You just want to be in the moment.鈥�
Jerzembeck鈥檚 unique maturity for his age should give him a good shot at accomplishing the goal that every high school pitcher has: making it to the big leagues.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 something that could very much happen,鈥� Eli said. 鈥淛ust hard work and becoming the very best pitcher I can be. Hopefully that鈥檚 in my future.鈥�
