ThunderRidge pitcher Jake Eissler off to incredible start
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]hunderRidge pitcher Jake Eissler might be heading off to Texas Christian University next fall, but he’s definitely enjoying his senior season.
“I just want to go out there and have fun,” Eissler said. “It’s my senior season and I’m leaving early this summer to go down to TCU, so this is really my last full season in Colorado. I just want to have fun with it and enjoy the last season with my buddies.”
In 15 innings, Eissler has an earned run average of 0.00, 33 strikeouts and just two walks. That’s an average of just over two strikeouts per inning. He’s faced 56 batters this season and allowed just six hits – holding opposing hitters to a .118 batting average.
Think he’s enjoying it?
“It’s been a fun year so far, it’s been a good start,” Eissler said. “I think a lot of it is due to the training I did in the offseason.”
ThunderRidge coach Joe White touched on Eissler’s intangibles.
“He works hard, he puts everything he has into it,” White said. “He’s got an ultra-focus on being the best he can.”
Eissler said he trusts his off-speed pitches more, and he has more consistent velocity than he’s had in the past. He pounds the strike zone and works both sides of the plate.
“The biggest thing I’ve seen is last year I was sitting at 85-86 and touch 87-88, and now I’m sitting 88-90 and touching 91,” Eissler said. “I’ve been up there in the past, but it hasn’t been as consistent as it has been this year.”
One reason for that trust of the off-speed is a change in grip with his curveball.
“I worked away from the regular two fingers on a curveball; I’m throwing a knuckle curve now and I get a lot more depth. It’s not a complete 12-6 curveball, but it’s a lot more over the top break instead of the side-to-side look,” Eissler said. “I’ve always had a good changeup, so it’s fun mixing up pitches and being able to work the batters.”
Pair the consistent 90 mph fastball with a good changeup and a curveball with good depth, and you have a recipe for the type of year that Eissler is having.
“What separates him is he can throw really hard but he can put the ball where he wants it with all three pitches,” White said. “It’s pretty rare for a kid that age to be able to do that. He’s very polished as a pitcher.”
Eissler flashed some of his potential when he was a sophomore playing with ThunderRidge in the USA Baseball National High School Invitational Tournament. Eissler pitched against the top-ranked team in the country at the time and was lights out on the mound, getting the win for the Grizzlies.
“Nothing rattles him,” White said. “He just keeps a focus on what he has to do and he’s really great at keeping his composure. He goes out and does his job, every time.”
Eissler’s college decision ultimately came down to TCU, Stanford, Notre dame and Duke. He wanted to go to a small private school because he felt he would get a better education in that environment.
“For me, the deciding factor with TCU was how good their baseball program is compared to all those other programs. I figured TCU would give me the best shot at winning a national championship,” Eissler said. “They’d give me the best shot at becoming a legitimate pitcher in three or four years and being draft-ready then.”
As of now, TCU has set no limit on Eissler’s innings or pitch count this year.
“Obviously I’m not going to go out there and throw 150 pitches, but there’s no limit coming from them,” Eissler said.
As for the realistic chance that he will be taken in June’s MLB draft, Eissler is leaning heavily towards his commitment to TCU.
“I value academics,” Eissler said. “It would have to be a life-changing amount of money for me to take that over a TCU scholarship.”
But, Eissler preached a focus on this season and ThunderRidge first and foremost.
“Our first goal overall was to be better than we were last year,” Eissler said. “Last year’s season was a disappointment for everybody on the team and I think our senior class this year – we were pretty fired up about how poorly we were last year.”
The Grizzlies are sitting at 5-1 and 11th in the Class 5A baseball RPI standings. They are ranked ninth in the CHSAANow.com 5A baseball rankings.
Eissler could have sat back in his senior year, already committed and a third-year letter-winner. Instead, he took the opportunity to work harder and to improve his game.
“He just keeps getting better,” White said. “He’s pitched at high levels and that’s just made him ultra-competitive and ultra-confident.”
Eissler is a leader on the team in every way he can be. In addition to his dominance on the mound, he’s hitting .444 with nine runs batted in.
“Oh yeah, he leads our team,” White said “He’s actually leading our team on offense, as well. He’s our guy.”
Eissler spoke on the extra work and effort that has gone into laying the groundwork for his success this year and for the future.
“I have a pretty strong work ethic, I kept working hard and the sky is the limit,” Eissler said. “I’ve been playing baseball all my life – I’ve got a passion for the game. It’s what I love to do.”
Off the field, Eissler continues his example that he sets on the field.
“He’s a quality kid all around,” White said. “He’s a quality student athlete, he does what you need him to do.”
Eissler (2-1) is slated to throw Thursday April 7 against Columbine (4-3).
“I can tell you one thing,” White said. “I’m a lot better coach when he pitches.”
