Recruit Profile: Tyler Schimpf

“I was at home sitting on the couch and I had actually just finished watching the Texas game when I got the call [for the draft]; I’ve already made the decision, I’m going to Texas.”

Tyler Schimpf is a hot commodity in baseball. As a senior in high school, he was recently drafted picked in MLB’s first year player draft by the Mets in the 3rd round and again by the Athletics in the 31st, but Schimpf turned down both offers for the opportunity to play for Augie Garrido and the Longhorns.

Schimpf, a native Californian, has been ranked number 379 nationally as a right-handed pitcher and number 16 in his home state by Perfect Game. He wasn’t surprised by his draft into the MLB.

“The Mets called me in the 3rd and offered me,” Schimpf said. “I turned them down because I really wanted to go to Texas and it just wasn’t enough to take me away.”

Schimpf has officially visited Austin, and says that it’s one of his favorite cities. The atmosphere and the academics of Texas intrigued him, as well as the history and success of the baseball team.

“Texas has always been my dream school to go to,” Schimpf said. “Ever since I knew college baseball it’s been a goal of mine to play for the Longhorns.”

Skip Johnson on Schimpf, “Tyler is a physical kid that’s very athletic. He’s a fastball, curveball, changeup guy and a plus athlete. He’s a tough kid who has pitched in big situations.”

Schimpf is one of four pitchers offered by the Longhorns for 2015, and all are right-handed. Schimpf, who had 172 strikeouts in his high school career and pitched a perfect game at 2013 WWBA World Championship, wants to do whatever it takes to earn his spot on the Texas team.

“[The coaches] are excited to have me aboard, but it’s fair to everyone,” Schimpf said. “They tell me you have the opportunity to start here as a freshman, you just have to earn it.”

Schimpf will be majoring in business at the McCombs School and is considering a minor in sports medicine or kinesiology.

“If baseball doesn’t end up working out, I’d like to start a own training center,” Schimpf said. “If I can’t be a professional athlete, I want to train professional athletes.”

Schimpf may have skipped out on the draft this year, but his goal is to go for Texas for three years and join the MLB after his junior year.

“I would play for any team [that drafts me],” Schimpf laughed.