Aiden Herrick

Profile Views: 274
Sport: Boy's Baseball
HS Grad Year: 2021
Recruitment Status: Committed
Position 1: Shortstop
Position 2: Pitcher
Ht. / Wt.: 6' 1'' / 185 lbs.
School Jersey #: 8
Club Jersey #: 18
School: Olympia High School
Location: Olympia, WA
Club Team: Olympia Baseball Club
Other Sports:
GPA: 3.9
SAT: 1440
ACT:
Transcript: Yes
Notes:
PERSONAL STATEMENT
By starting every game since my freshman year of high school at either shortstop or pitcher, I have learned that I am very hardworking and have a drive to win. Through this experience, I feel I have grown into an energetic leader. Being successful in the classroom and competing at a high level on the baseball field are important to me.

REFERENCES		  

Derek Weldon
Title: Head Coach
Organization / School: Olympia High School
Phone Number: 903-399-3654
Email: derekweldon1@gmail.com
Recommendation: To Whom It May Concern,

This letter of recommendation is on behalf of Aiden Herrick, Class of 2021 INF/RHP from Olympia High School in Olympia, WA.

I have had the privilege of coaching Aiden for three years at Olympia HS. Aiden has been an incredibly productive player for us at Olympia, starting at SS and throwing significant varsity innings since his Freshman year.

As a position player, Aiden is an extremely versatile defensive player; he’s played SS exclusively for us but has the ability to also defend at a high level at 3B and 2B. He possesses natural defensive actions, and his athleticism and arm strength give him the ability to make all of the plays on the infield. Aiden is not a burner; currently, he’s a 7.3 runner, but he plays the game much faster than that, and he plays the infield with exceptional anticipation and range. Aiden has also been a very productive offensive player, and his ability to drive the baseball has taken significant steps in the last six months as he's gained strength and physicality. He does all of the little things offensively, handles the bat, disciplined, good two-strike hitter, and runs the bases with instincts and aggressiveness.

On the mound, Aiden is a strike-thrower and has high pitch-ability. The fastball is currently 83-85, and there is much more in the arm. The FB has solid tilt, and he spins it at 2200-2400+ with an average horizontal break of 10.5-11.5 and vertical break of 17-19. He has a tremendous feel for the breaking ball, throwing a 12/6 CB as well as firmer SL that tunnels nicely with the FB. He also has an excellent feel for the change-up, which is an incredibly productive pitch for him. Aiden has been very productive on the mound. He throws a ton of strikes with a variety of pitches, controls the running game, and competes his tail off.

Aiden’s make-up, work ethic, toughness, and coach-ability is through the roof. In 15 years of coaching, he is one of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached. Aiden is also an exceptional student committed to excelling in the classroom. Aiden is the type of kid that makes your program better from the moment he steps foot on campus. And, as a former Division 1 baseball coach, there is no doubt the Aiden has the talent and focus to be a highly productive player at the Division 1 level.

Regards,

Derek Weldon
903.399.3654
derekweldon1@gmail.com
 

Donnie Marbut
Title: Coach
Organization / School: Former Pac-12 Head Coach
Phone Number: 509-432-6528
Email: Donniemarbut@gmail.com
Recommendation: June 20, 2020

Coaches:

It gives me great pleasure to be able to sit down and craft up a letter of recommendation for Aiden Herrick. As a former Division One Head Coach, and a person with over 20 years of coaching experience at the college level, I couldn’t be more excited to relay my thoughts about Aiden to you all.
First and foremost Aiden epitomizes the definition of student-athlete. As I look back over my coaching career, I think about all the other student-athletes who remind me of Aiden and almost to a player I can say they all reached their ceiling. I’m convinced that when young men like Aiden put education first and baseball a close second they always seem to become the best versions of themselves. Disciplined students like Aiden never seem to cut corners as players and they always seem to get the most out of their ability, I can’t believe Aiden will be any different.
I know you want to hear about his skills as a baseball player and we will get to that, I just don’t want any coach to not fully understand the type of person they will be recruiting when it comes to Aiden. In this day and age, recruiting is about seeing a player, evaluating his skills and then deciding if he will fit in your program. Trust me he will because of his athletic ability, but when it comes to his make up, work ethic, and his ability to compete, those are the intangibles that will allow him to play at the highest level, and help your team chase a championship.
Regarding his athletic ability, this is what I see. I believe Aiden has the ability to play all three infield spots at the division one level. Very rarely do you see the versatility that I see in Aiden. He makes the routine play which will allow him to stick at shortstop, which I believe is the desired position. His hands also make him a great candidate to play second base because he can turn a double play at a major league level right now. Also his arm strength, courage, and his first step quickness will allow him to play 3rd base if that is the best fit within your program. In my 12 years as a head coach in the Pac 12, I only had a couple players who could play all three spots at a high level like Aiden. I also believe Aiden is on the verge of filling out his frame and have seen major physical gains over the last 6 months.
The separator for me is that I also see Aiden as a weekend rotation arm at the division one level. Right now he sits 85-87 with three quality pitches. His fastball has late life, his slider has good depth, and when he throws his change up he keeps consistent arm action and arm speed. I think in 2-3 years he will be sitting 88-92 with 3 quality pitches. When my starting pitcher was throwing 3 average pitches I always felt good about our chances. We also know that 2-Way players are difficult to manage, but it will be made easier by Aiden because of his discipline, his desire to be great, and his attention to detail.
On the offensive side of things I have really enjoyed working with Aiden and his swing. He has a very flat stroke and stays on plane throughout his swing. For a high school player I have been very impressed how he sits on breaking balls and swings through the break. His strength and bat speed are also improving daily and I see him hitting in the middle of the order as his game develops at your level.
As a coach I used to get these letters daily, but to be honest with you I would much rather watch the player play, and speak with his coaches. Though I don’t coach his teams I do work with him weekly and would love the opportunity to share my thoughts with you. When it comes to the coach that coaches him I can assure you that his High School Coach is one of the finest High School coaches I have ever been associated with. The program that he plays in is developing players who are and will be very successful at the college and professional level.
Once again, I would relish the opportunity to speak with you or anyone on your staff about Aiden Herrick and his ability to positively impact your program. Feel free to reach out to me anytime. There will be one lucky program that gets to have Aiden as part of it and I’m looking forward to seeing who that is.


All My Best,

Donnie Marbut
Donniemarbut@gmail.com
509-432-6528