Jake Eddington remains confident on way to MLB Draft
Editor’s note: The Philadelphia Phillies selected P Jake Eddington with the No. 223 pick in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB Draft on July 10.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (BVM) – Missouri State starter Jake Eddington is one of the more intriguing names entering the 2023 MLB Draft. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, he can sling his fastball up to 97 mph from the right side and complements it with a high-80s slider.
He struck out 59 batters in 55 ⅔ innings this season.
Jake Eddington @MSUBearBaseball with a scoreless 1st vs @SIUEBaseball Higher spin FB 91 94, T96 #HeatSheet flashed avg SL 80 83 and firm CH for KO here ⬇️@d1baseball @PBR_DraftHQ pic.twitter.com/ZRP30wye3B
— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) March 10, 2023
The game of baseball came naturally for the Doniphan, Missouri, native as his dad taught him the game early and coached Jake and his siblings growing up.
“Me and my dad have been in the backyard playing ever since I was old enough to hold a baseball,” Eddington said.
He stuck with it over the years and developed into a really interesting pitching prospect.
Eddington went to the University of Alabama out of high school and made 14 appearances and one start in his freshman season.
Jake Eddington gets a strikeout and we move to the home half of the 6th. #RageOn #RollTide pic.twitter.com/TOMxSu7tuU
— Right Field Ragers (@BamaRightField) February 24, 2021
Unfortunately, he tore his UCL before his sophomore year.
“It was more of a mental challenge rather than physical,” Eddington said. “It was just realizing that I wasn’t gonna be able to play for a year. Just being able to find the positives each and every day and continuing to get better on and off the field.”
Eddington entered the transfer portal before the 2023 season and went with Missouri State as his new home. In hindsight, he could not have made a better decision.
“It turned out to be the best place for me,” Eddington said. “I’ve hit a home run here. They’ve helped me be a better player and a better person. That’s all you can ask for at the end of the day.
Eddington might hear his name fairly early on in the 2023 MLB Draft, which is something he’s worked his whole life toward.
“I’ve always held myself to a high standard,” Eddington said. “As long as I remain confident in myself and continue working hard, I always knew there was a possibility for me to do big things in this game.”
Eddington has a slew of accomplishments to his name thus far in the baseball world, and hopefully, many more to come, but he is more proud of having such a strong group of people around to support him and vice versa.
“It’s hard to find a strong family,” Eddington said. “I have a great core around me with my fiance’s family and my family. Family is everything to me. If you don’t have family, I don’t think you have anything in my opinion.”
With the MLB draft nearing, he will look to continue to lean on his loved ones not only over the next month but throughout his professional baseball journey.
