Colton Parker '15 Recruiting Profile

I view myself as being a "late bloomer".   Especially during the end of my Junior year of high school and continuing to date.   I have improved mentally and physically by more than 100%.   This was accomplished through my own strong dedication and work ethic to improve both mentally and physically.   My father is a former college athlete and has continued his passion to maintain and improve physically through proper nutrition and physical training.   My father has been my physical fitness trainer.  He and I regularly participate in strength and speed training.  From my Junior year to present I have increased my body weight by approximately 20 lbs. which is all muscle gains.  My continued dedication to excel in baseball and the improvements I have made from my gym and specialized baseball training continues to significantly improve my bat speed and power, arm strength and speed, pop time and quickness as a catcher, and running speed and agility on the bases.   My coaches have constantly complemented me on my god given "bat speed" and strong throwing arm, and which exceeds most other baseball players in my age group.   Again, I constantly strive to be the best I can be by following a strict and intense physical fitness program, proper nutritional plan, participate in regular specialized training toward improving my bat speed, power, and my entire game as a well skilled catcher and overall baseball player.  My training includes regular hitting instruction from "Chris" at "Mike Murphy's Baseball Academy" in Concord Ca., and have received one on one catching instruction from Chase Chavez (Oakland Athletics bull pen catcher\brother of Eric Chavez). Currently, and for more than a year I regular participate in the "Headfirst Baseball Academy" presented by Mario Inglesis.  Participation in Headfirst provides year around participation in their instructional training league to include "Showcase events" in front of college and professional scouts, tournament play in and outside California, and offers a significant amount of game play time and reps at the plate, etc.   I have dedicated time to excel at my alternate and\or possible may at some point become my primary position as an outfielder.   My strong throwing arm and accuracy, running speed and quick reaction time has allowed me to develop into a very good outfielder.  My batting power at the plate continues to improve and become more consistent.   Balls that a year ago were popouts are becoming homeruns and groundouts a year ago are blasting through the infield for hits.   As an athlete and baseball player my passion, dedication, and love for the game is easily recognized by other team players, coaches, and anyone who sees the manner I approach the game and hard work ethic to excel in the gym.  I am constantly researching ways to improve my game and play.   I am constantly researching to find the most advanced baseball equipment and training aids which may allow me to improve my performance.   I am of character and have such a love for the game, whenever I can find any opportunity to participate and train to improve I seize that and every moment to do so.   Baseball is not considered a sport in which I participate on my high school team, it is my way of life and my life passion, to which I do whatever is needed to excel and improve.   I strive to be the best and do so within my god given ability and the ability I am able to increase through hard work and training.  Academically, I am considered an above average student.   Again, I am a late bloomer there as well.   During my beginning high school years my emphasis was in playing baseball and did not completely understand the importance of excelling to that same extent in class work.   My older brother is a college football coach and recruits players for his college.   He has coached me regarding the importance of dedicating myself to excel in my class work and the importance of good grades in being considered for a meaningful college scholarship.   Through hard work and dedication, and in having a more mature outlook into my future I have become a strong student in the class.   I will do what is asked of me and strive to develop as a strong person both mentally and physically.   My current objective is to excel as a quality baseball player and student athlete.   I am working very hard to separate me from a group of good high school baseball players to a high school ballplayer considered as being in an elite group and considered as being a favorable college recruit prospect.   My short term goal is to be offered the opportunity to play baseball for Arizona State College and become a "Sun Devil".   However, I will obviously appreciate the opportunity of being offered any meaningful scholarship toward completing my college education.  My long term goal is set very high, in which includes being offered the opportunity to play professional baseball.   I cannot imagine anything more enjoyable in life than to make a career out of my life's passion, and as a professional baseball player.   With that being said, I also understand the elite few given that opportunity and the importance of a least allowing baseball to assist in my obtaining a quality college education in my selected career educational field.  I also must add that I am an outgoing person with an outgoing personality.   I frequently emerge as a good teammate, team player, and a leader.