Campus Newcomer: Iowa City High OF/LHP Jake Mitchell
We continue our Iowa Baseball campus newcomers series, with an outfielder/left-handed pitcher from right in Iowa City, with ties to the Hawkeyes. Iowa City High OF/LHP Jake Mitchell is rated as the #12 outfielder in the state of Iowa by Perfect Game. He is the younger brother of current Iowa infielder Gable Mitchell, the son of former Hawkeye baseball player Brian Mitchell and the grandson of former Iowa Wrestling coach Dan Gable.
As a senior for the Little Hawks, Jake batted .306, with a .434 on-base percentage, including 11 doubles, 20 RBI’s and 22 stolen bases. His two-run single in the substate final helped lift City High past rival Iowa City West. On the mound, Mitchell appeared in ten games, with five starts, posting a 0.86 ERA over 32.2 innings. He totaled 28 strikeouts to just 11 walks and held opponents to a .165 batting average. Mitchell was named a Second Team All-Northeast District selection.
We caught up with the Little Hawkeye outfielder to preview his upcoming freshman season with the Hawkeyes.
Q: When do you move to Iowa City? What number do you plan to wear?
MITCHELL: I’m still not sure when I move in and haven’t looked at what numbers are available yet
Q: You jumped from just 3 extra base hits as a junior to 11 extra base hits this season. Where have you seen your game grow the most over the last couple of years?
MITCHELL: I’ve gotten a lot stronger since last season and give a lot of credit to my nutritionist for the help there.
Q: What’s it been like helping your team to a state tournament berth in your senior season? You had the big hit in the substate final against IC West, how satisfying is a moment like that knowing you are playing your final games at IC High?
MITCHELL: I love my teammates, so us having the success that we are having is very special. Being able to come through in as big of a game as it was is something you dream about and making it a reality is awesome.
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Q: Looking back at your recruitment, what stood about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?
MITCHELL: Knowing how close all the players are to each other and wanting everyone to have success is what stood out to me.
Q: Were there any other teams that you heavily considered during your recruitment?
MITCHELL: For me it was either go to a JUCO or Iowa, but I chose Iowa because of the reason above.
Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?
MITCHELL: I talk with Coach Sutherland every once in a while mainly via text, but also see Coach Heller around the ballpark every so often so we talk a little.
Q: If someone asked you “what do you bring to the Iowa Baseball team?” How would you describe your game?
MITCHELL: I bring my best effort everywhere I go, I don’t care how big everyone else is or how good their “numbers” are, I will outwork them and bring my best effort.
Q: What advice have you gotten from your your brother Gable in terms of adjusting to college baseball? How helpful has he been in the process of getting prepared for Iowa?
MITCHELL: He’s just been saying that nothing is handed to you and you need to go outwork everyone.
Q: What is your relationship like with the other incoming freshman? Current players?
MITCHELL: I only know a couple of the incoming freshman via playing with them, but I have met a bunch of the current players and have really good relationships with them already.
Q: What are your goals for your freshman season at Iowa? What areas of your game do you want to improve?
MITCHELL: My goal is to come in and work the hardest I can and earn a spot on the team.
