Owen Hall has worked his way to the ‘mecca,’ MLB draft
EDMOND, Okla. (BVM) – Owen Hall shines in every outing for Edmond North High School in Edmond, Oklahoma, and he has emerged as one of the top prep pitchers in the country.
The 6-foot-3 righthander can touch 98 mph with his fastball and consistently fools hitters with his slider and curveball. The high school senior is the No. 41 prospect in the upcoming MLB draft according to MLB Pipeline.
Hall’s father, Greg, attended rival school Edmond Memorial, but Edmond North served as its junior high at the time. Greg attended the then-middle school and pitched from the same mound that Owen throws from now.
“It’s pretty cool,” Owen said. “It’s like a full-circle moment for him.”
Greg earned a scholarship to Arkansas out of high school and like father like son, Owen also has a big opportunity ahead of him with a commitment to Vanderbilt University.
Hall attended a camp at the Nashville school in the fall of his sophomore year and put on a show that caught the coaching staff’s attention. He hit 90 mph for the first time and faced five batters, striking out four.
He conversed with the program for a handful of weeks after that and when they finally offered him a scholarship, he committed within a matter of hours.
“It was a really quick experience, ” Hall said. “If I could do it over again, I would probably do it the same way.”
Vanderbilt has established itself as a premier power in the college baseball world and that has made a lasting impression on top recruits like Hall.
“It’s the mecca of college baseball,” Hall said. “Whenever I thought of winning, I thought of Vanderbilt. It was a place where I wanted to be. With the great education they offer (as well), I thought it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Hall did not always think the position he is in now was a reality, but thanks to his support system and work ethic, he was able to reach new heights in his career.
“My dad and my mom have done a great job of teaching me and my sister how to work hard,” Hall said. “I just fell in love with the process of it all. Waking up, working out, grinding every day, having goals in mind and doing things outside of baseball to make yourself better as a person.”
That continued process is what has given him a bright future as the MLB draft approaches in July. The extra pressure on Hall to perform as a senior created an obstacle that ultimately made him stronger from a mental standpoint.
“I’ve had to battle the feeling of wanting to be perfect,” Hall said. “It has been finding the fine line of having high expectations for yourself while also understanding nothing can be perfect.”
The season started with a nine-strikeout performance in three innings, but the one hit he allowed stuck with him as he sat on the bench. As the year has progressed, he has been able to learn from mistakes while also being able to reset mentally to prepare for his next outing.
“I know I’ll be telling my kids and my grandkids about these days,” Hall said. “Just trying to soak it up and not take for granted what I have right now.”
Hall is hoping to build on the stories of his time at Edmond North with another run to the state tournament. As far as individually, he just wants to continue prepping himself for whatever is next in his career, whether that is in the SEC or in the minor leagues.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity that the Lord has given me to play this game,” Hall said. “I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”
