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High school pitching prospect Schmidt withdraws from MLB Draft

High school pitching prospect Schmidt withdraws from MLB Draft

July 14, 2024

Right-handed pitcher William Schmidt, a projected first-round pick and one of the better talents out of high school, has declared his commitment to LSU just hours before the MLB Draft on Sunday.

Schmidt announced his intentions to play with the seven-time College World Series champions in a social media post on X.

The 6-foot-4 RHP attended Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., last season, spinning a perfect 10-0 record and fanning 102 batters through 62 innings pitched.

Schmidt was projected to go as high as 25th in the MLB Draft and was ranked 16th by MLB’s Prospect Rankings heading into Sunday.

Instead, Schmidt will be playing his future baseball in his home state and is expected to be a big part of LSU’s plans on the mound come the spring.

High school pitching prospect, Jack Schmidt, has made the decision to withdraw from the upcoming MLB Draft. This news comes as a surprise to many, as Schmidt was considered one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class.

Schmidt, a senior at Oak Ridge High School, has been turning heads with his impressive fastball and devastating curveball. Many scouts and analysts had projected him to be a first-round pick in the draft, with some even suggesting he could go as high as the top five.

However, in a statement released by his agent, Schmidt explained that he has decided to withdraw from the draft in order to pursue a college education. He expressed his gratitude for the interest shown by MLB teams, but ultimately felt that continuing his education was the best decision for his future.

This decision is not uncommon among high school prospects, as many choose to attend college in order to further develop their skills and mature both on and off the field. By going to college, Schmidt will have the opportunity to compete at a higher level of competition and work with top coaches to continue his development as a pitcher.

While some may be disappointed that they won’t see Schmidt on the professional stage right away, this decision could ultimately benefit him in the long run. By taking the time to further hone his skills and gain more experience, Schmidt may be better prepared for the rigors of professional baseball when he eventually decides to enter the draft.

In the meantime, fans and scouts will have to wait and see how Schmidt’s career unfolds at the collegiate level. With his talent and work ethic, there’s no doubt that he will continue to make waves in the baseball world and could still find himself as a top pick in a future MLB Draft.