SHAWNEE, Kan. (KCTV) – Mill Valley’s Beau Peterson is one of the best high school baseball players in the country.
According to MLB.com, Peterson is ranked as the 41st-best prospect for this year’s MLB draft.
“This kid’s special,” said Jeff Strickland, Mill Valley’s head baseball coach.
Strickland said he could tell early Peterson wasn’t just another talented athlete.
“The fact that he’s projected to go to the next level and potentially play baseball for money, we started to see that maybe towards the end of his sophomore year,” Strickland said.
For Peterson, the blueprint is simple. He models his game after a player who handled the spotlight before him.
“Bryce Harper growing up was my guy. All the pressure he had in high school and throughout. He was able to maintain all that. Where he’s at now is incredible. Every player should be looking up to a guy like that,” Peterson said.
Peterson possesses a potent bat and plays shortstop and third base, but he can also pitch with a fastball clocked at 94 miles per hour. Strickland said what separates Peterson is not just talent, but the hours Peterson puts in.
“All high-level players have great work ethics. Not one person outworks Beau,” Strickland said.
That work has drawn scouts from all over the country, turning routine practices into pro showcases.
“Early in the year, we had 19 scouts at a morning hit-around,” Strickland said.
Even with all those eyes on him, Peterson said he’s trying to keep baseball what it’s always been.
“It’s still a kid’s game, so just trying to stay true to the player I’ve always been. I’ve been playing this game a long time, so at the end of the day, it’s just come out here and do what you love to do,” Peterson said.
Peterson won the MLB High School Home Run Derby last year and has been called the best position player to come out of the state of Kansas since Bubba Starling. Peterson is committed to the Texas Longhorns.
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