Sarah Hall/Nevada Appeal News ServiceDouglas High School coach John Glover, left, and athletic director Jeff Evans looked on as senior Jordan Hadlock signed his commitment to play baseball for the Cal Poly Mustangs this afternoon.
He made his mind up nearly a year ago, but Douglas High senior Jordan Hadlock made it official this afternoon.
Hadlock signed a national letter-of-intent to play Division I baseball for the Cal Poly Mustangs in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
"I was doing a lot of junior showcases down in their area last year," Hadlock said. "I went there in December for their showcase and they made me a scholarship offer."
He gave the Mustangs his verbal commitment about two weeks later.
"I liked the coaching staff a lot," Hadlock said. "They are really good with their players and they've built a great program. The school is just amazing academically and I love the town. It's smaller for California, which is what I like, and it's right on the beach. The area is perfect."
The Mustang coaches are primarily looking at Hadlock to play catcher, although he's been told he may see time at shortstop or second base.
Hadlock was a spot-starter at second base for the Tigers his freshman year and was the team's starting shortstop as a sophomore.
He made the switch to catcher the summer heading into his junior year.
"We hadn't needed a catcher for a while with (three-year starter) Roman (Davis) in there, but when he graduated the coaches were looking for someone to step up," Hadlock said. "I thought it would be a fun position, so I gave it a try."
The move paid off quickly.
Hadlock hit .343 with 14 doubles, five triples, six home runs and 24 RBI, to go with seven stolen bases, and earned first-team All-Sierra League honors at catcher.
"I just seemed to do well with it," Hadlock said. "I take care of the pitchers pretty well and I like calling the game behind the plate.
"I had to learn a lot really quick. Coach Glov (Douglas coach John Glover) really walked me through everything. It was a lot of work. Now it's a matter of really working on refining my game and taking care of the areas where I am weak."
That he would even be considered as a Division I catcher is a testament to his athleticism, considering when Cal Poly offered the scholarship, Hadlock hadn't even taken one pitch behind the plate during a high school varsity season.
"I liked that," Hadlock said. "They made me an offer and they stuck with it. That showed a lot for a college to do that."