I caught up with 2012 baseball commit [URL=”http://www.wildcatrecruits.com/playerProfile.php?Contact_ID=938&Recruit=Zack-Storm”]Zack Storm[/URL] this past week. He is a second-baseman / outfielder for the North Laurel Jaguars, but he is probably better known for his hitting. I had done some research before I called him, and I can tell you three things that you will notice about Storm. First, he is one of the best lead-off hitters in the state. Second, he is very fast – if he can get a piece of the ball, chances are he’ll make it to at least first base. Third, after the first time Zack bats, opposing pitchers will usually not throw strikes to him (which is why he usually has to try for just a piece of the ball).
He had interest from a couple of other schools including Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State and Pensacola, but Storm said it wasn’t hard picking Kentucky. He told me he loves UK and gets along great with the coaching staff. He also said that the SEC is the best conference for athletics. Zack plans to major in Business while at Kentucky.
North Laurel did well this year, going to the Regional Championship game where they lost to Clay County. One of Storm’s goals for his senior year is to “get to state”. Zack finished his junior year with a .419 BA, 16 home runs (a North Laurel school record), 18 stolen bases and a 1.019 slugging percentage. His coach said he would have had better numbers, but opposing teams wouldn’t pitch to him.
Storm is playing summer ball with the Diamond Devils out of South Carolina and says they are doing well. He told me his best baseball moment of the year came last week, when his team was down 1-2. Zack hit a triple, allowing the two runners on base to score, and eventually made it home himself to put his team up 4-2. He was named Most Valuable Hitter for the tournament.
This past season, Storm was named the Times-Tribune Player of the Year, and a KHSBCA All-State selection – playing in the East-West All-Star game. He also said Oakland has been scouting him.
On a personal note, Storm said his favorite MLB team is the Yankees, and his favorite individual player is Philadelphia second-baseman Chase Utley. Zack said he can’t wait to get to UK, but in the meantime you can follow him on Twitter at [URL=”http://twitter.com/#!/Zack_Storm”]@Zack_Storm[/URL].
Many thanks to Zack for the interview, and I look forward to his first home run at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
