LSU commit, MLB draft prospect Ashton Larson staying ‘grounded’
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BVM) – Ashton Larson is a LSU baseball commit with a great chance of being drafted this summer in the 2023 MLB Draft. He is considered Kansas’ best player in the Class of 2023 by Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report.
It’s been an impressive career for the senior outfielder at St. Thomas Aquinas but Larson never takes it for granted. He’s playing in honor of his batting coach Jeremy Jones’ son who has leukemia as well as a former teammate, Nate Rogalski, who tragically passed away last January.
“To go out and play for those guys is something that’s really important to me and that really helps to keep me grounded,” Larson said.
There are also a plethora of people that come to Larson’s mind when he talks about his playing career that he credits for his baseball success. His family, teammates, both batting coaches (Jones and Jeremy Eisenhower) and Detroit Tigers pitcher Alex Lange.
“He’s like my older brother,” Larson said about Lange. “It’s been so cool just to grow with him and then him showing me the ropes.”
This past winter, he even stayed with Lange and Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm in Houston for offseason training. Living with major league players allowed him to witness up close the day-to-day routine that is needed to reach that level and be successful. Then during training, he’s going up against professional pitchers and watching hitters like Bohm, Detroit Tigers prospect Izaac Pacheco and Atlanta Braves prospect Greyson Jenista.
“I get the opportunity to work out and get live at bats against pro guys and I have a good amount of success there too,” Larson said about his time training in Houston. “Being able to see what the game is like at that level, here it is, this is your reality and being able to compete against that. Have an approach against that and have a plan that is able to work really helps give you confidence.”
The confidence has helped him at the plate and watching pros has given him a new way to approach each at bat. As someone who has always taken pride in his offensive ability, it has been a huge benefit for Larson. He can hit for power and has consistency. His desire to be a great offensive player is one of the reasons he chose LSU and head coach Jay Johnson.
“The environment and the culture that they (LSU) have over there of winning and getting to Omaha year in and year out is the absolute goal,” Larson said about the Tigers. “Their track record for developing major league baseball players, especially major league hitters now, with Jay Johnson being there is amazing.”
Larson is ready for LSU. His work with professionals isn’t the only reason he’s confident. He plays against the best players in the country during the summer, players who will either be playing Division I baseball or getting drafted to the MLB. Facing pitchers who can hit the mid to high 90s with their fastball and then completely throw you off with an off speed pitch is the other reason he has become one of the best players in the country.
Ashton Larson (KS) displaying PS juice, lots of strength at impact. #PGNational pic.twitter.com/JcI1GErPsl
— PG Showcases (@PGShowcases) July 21, 2022
“The circuit has gotten incredible, you know, at the highest level of summer baseball it’s getting ridiculous how hard these guys are throwing,” Larson said. “I think having those opportunities to be around those older guys that are already there and then compete against these kids that are really, really good and are going to be there at those next levels too has been really helpful to me.”
Playing with and against the best, the competitiveness in Larson pushing him to be better has been fueled by his desire to play in the MLB. Since he can remember, Larson wanted to be in the MLB. His childhood was spent playing catch for countless hours with his parents, friends and the pitch back machine.
At a young age, there was never a doubt in Larson’s mind that he would end up playing in the majors. He believed it and never doubted he would reach this point where he’s just months away from getting drafted, putting in the work each day. Before the commitment to LSU, before the MLB Draft, before the rankings, there was a belief in himself that he would make it to the league. Every decision he’s made has been to reach that point and every decision moving forward is, too. Even the one on whether to go to college or the pros.
“My goal is to be a major league baseball player,” Larson said. “Whichever way that is, whichever path that is, whether it’s college baseball, professional baseball out of high school, I’m prepared to take that path because ultimately I do want to take the path that’s best for me and my family.”
However, Larson isn’t worried about LSU or the draft right now. The outfielder is all in on his senior season at St. Thomas Aquinas. The Saints took third place last year at the KSHSAA Class 5A state tournament.
“I’m excited, you know, I think this team is going to be really good,” Larson said. “We got a lot of returners, a lot of people that are going to do a great job for us. I think our goal is to ultimately win a lot of games and just do the little things right.”
Larson is taking his final high school season one game at a time, one practice at a time. The goal is to get back to the state tournament and win a championship this season. The Saints have the talent to do it. Larson knows that if he takes care of business with St. Thomas Aquinas, everything will work out with the draft and with LSU.
“I think really trying to just focus on helping the team win when I’m on the field is really going to take care of everything else,” Larson said. All those guys want to see at the higher levels is you focusing on winning. I’m not trying to make this about myself this year…this is a team thing.”
