Mississippi St. or MLB for Desoto Central IF?
When Blaze Jordan reclassified to the Class of 2020, he had no idea that COVID-19 would wipe out most of his final high school season. He was named the Gatorade Mississippi Baseball Player of the Year despite playing just 13 games.
“It was definitely a shock,” Jordan said of the sudden end to the season. “Our team was starting to get hot. I was starting to get hot. I actually ended my season on a walk-off double, so I guess it ended kind of good.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound infielder is the No. 42 prospect in the country, according to Mlb.com. He won the high school home run derby at the MLB Allstar Game in Cleveland last year. He has been hitting 500-foot home runs since he was 13.
The MLB Draft is Wednesday and Thursday, so the 17-year-old has a big decision coming up. Will he go pro or go to college at Mississippi State, where he has been committed to since eighth grade?
“I really can’t answer that right now. I’d have to talk to my family and see what the right decision would be,” Jordan said. “They’ve been telling me either way that I go that they’ll be there supporting me and that I’m in a great position whether I go to college or play professional baseball.”
Jordan said he’s been keeping in touch with the Mississippi State coaching staff throughout the process.
“We’ve been talking here and there,” Jordan said. “And they’ve been talking about how supportive they are of me, and I have the utmost respect for them because of how supportive they are of me throughout this whole thing. They’re a great coaching staff, and I love talking to them.”
Jordan hit .440 with 19 home runs and 98 RBIS in his high school career, which began in eighth grade and lasted 100 games. He helped lead Desoto Central to back-to-back MHSAA Class 6A state titles in 2018 and 2019. The Jaguars finished this season 12-1.
“He runs the bases really aggressively and smart,” Desoto Central coach Mark Monaghan said. “He defends well and is able to play both corner positions in the infield, and he even took some reps for us in the preseason at shortstop just to prove he could do that as well. His home run hitting gets all the attention, but he’s a complete baseball player.”
Jordan said he started out playing first base but switched to third base to prove he was athletic enough to do it. He said he wants to play third base at the next level.
“I’ve always been an infielder, and I know I’ve got the arm strength to do that,” Jordan said. “A player I’ve always looked up to growing up was Miguel Cabrera, and when he was in his prime winning the Triple Crown, he was playing third base. I really looked up to him, so that’s where I definitely can see myself playing.”
Jordan said he plans to watch the draft with family and friends. He said that he has already visualized the moment of seeing his name called on TV.
“I have, and I’m sure every kid has,” Jordan said. “I’ve been thinking about it. It’s been on my mind a lot, but I’m trying not to think about it too much or stress out about it. Just taking it day by day and seeing what happens.”