Battle Ground Tigers center fielder Jackson Hotchkiss may have a choice to make between college or professional baseball when the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft comes around in July.
Hotchkiss is the No. 2-ranked prospect in Washington state for the class of 2024 and is already committed to play baseball for the University of Washington. After the Tigers’ home win against the Skyview Storm on Tuesday, April 16, MLB scouts watched Hotchkiss in a batting practice session with a wood bat where he hit multiple home runs at the professional-sized field the Tigers call home.
“It’s definitely a blessing. Honestly, ask me a year ago, I would have said it’s never possible,” Hotchkiss said of his professional baseball career opportunities. “I wasn’t really coming into the season with too many expectations, but now that they’re here, it’s pretty real. I’m definitely in a cool spot, not taking anything for granted. I’m really trying to enjoy it all and play my best baseball.”
The 6-foot-3 outfielder packs a strong arm, speed and pop off both a metal and wood bat, which could prompt a summer decision on where he wants to take his baseball career. Hotchkiss said he is thankful to be in a position to play at a major college or in professional baseball, pending the draft.
“The best part about Jackson, though, is he’s a great kid, 4.0 student, and the hardest worker on the team,” Tigers first-year head coach Seth Johnson said. “He does all the right things, does everything you’re asking for character-wise, and when your best player is your hardest worker, that’s the perfect scenario regardless of what program he’s in.”
The Tigers dropped the 4A Greater St. Helens League series to the Skyview Storm last week but salvaged a big win at home in their first home game of the season on Tuesday, April 16. Tigers sophomore James Gill — a Babe Ruth Baseball 2013-15 World Series champion and most outstanding player of the world series last summer — threw for six innings, striking out nine and walking five batters while allowing just two hits in the 2-0 win.
The Skyview Storm opted to intentionally walk Hotchkiss after Cooper McGowan doubled to right field in the third inning. Jayden Sivits drove in both runs with a double to right field to give the Tigers their runs.
Noah Salyers took to the mound in the seventh to close out the win for the Tigers. He recorded one strikeout on 16 pitches in the inning.
The Tigers lost on Monday, April 15 and Thursday, April 18 to the Storm, both by a score of 9-1. Battle Ground sat at 3-3 in league play, tied for second with Camas High School, prior to their final series against Union High School this week. They played the Union Titans on Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23, but both results were unavailable at press time. The league series is slated to conclude at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, April 25, at Battle Ground High School. The Tigers also play their Battle Ground Public Schools district rival, the Prairie Falcons, on senior night at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 30 at home.
