Jason Scholl has shown a knack for getting on base at Eastern Illinois, and has been an offensive force this summer for the Kenosha Kingfish of the Northwoods League.
Now Scholl, a 2012 Glenbrook North graduate who will be an EIU senior this fall, is sharpening his catching skills under Duffy Dyer, the Kenosha manager who caught in 14 big-league seasons.
Scholl has caught 19 games for the Kingfish and Dyer has been pleased with his improvement.
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“He’s much improved behind the plate,” said Dyer, who caught for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and Detroit Tigers from 1968-81. “He struggled in the first few games and dropped a lot of balls and wasn’t doing a very good job of blocking balls in the dirt. But he has really improved and is doing a real good job of blocking balls in the dirt now and he is receiving the ball much better. Early in the season, most of his throws were very high, but now he’s throwing the ball much better.”
Scholl reached base in 14 consecutive games for Eastern Illinois in 2015, the longest streak on the team.
“That’s really his strength [getting on base],” Panthers coach Jason Anderson said. “He’s got a good offensive approach at the plate and brings a little power. But the big thing is he gets on base and he’ll draw quite a few walks because the other pitcher has got to respect his power a little bit.”
This summer, Scholl is second on the Kingfish with a .548 slugging percentage and a .922 on-base plus slugging percentage as of Tuesday, July 7. He is tied for the team lead with six home runs. His offensive numbers are even more impressive considering players in the Northwoods League use wood bats.
“Really I’ve just been trying to keep a good approach up at the plate and swing at good pitches,” Scholl said. “That’s the biggest thing is getting your pitch and taking a good swing at it. Really I’m just trying to stay within myself most of the time and not try to do too much. It works in your favor and when you’re just trying to keep it simple, good things happen. I’ve had a lot of success so far and am just trying to keep it going.”
Overall, Scholl has played in 26 games for the Kingfish, including seven as a designated hitter.
“We do like to have his bat in the lineup, so he has DH’d quite a bit,” Dyer said.
Scholl caught in only two games for the Panthers this spring due to an arm injury. He played in 28 games and started 19, serving as a DH or pinch hitter when he was not behind the plate.
Anderson said Scholl’s DH experience is an asset for the Panthers.
“If [Scholl] comes in and catches well, then he’ll be behind the plate, but he definitely got experience as a designated hitter as well, so that versatility will really help us put the best lineup on the field,” Anderson said.
With his injury healed, Scholl hopes to assume full-time catching duties for the Panthers in 2016 and take on an increased leadership role as a senior.
“I’m hoping to go to school this year and carry on what I’ve learned in Kenosha here in the Northwoods League and hopefully be able to be the everyday catcher for school,” Scholl said. “Being the everyday catcher, there’s a lot of leadership skills you need to have. We’re going to have a lot of young pitchers coming in, freshmen and sophomores, so you have to make sure those guys are prepared and are able to come in and pitch right away.
“We have a lot of new guys that are coming in and helping us out right away. You have to be confident, make sure you’re ready to play at all times and have a high energy level, and make sure guys are ready to play, are into the game and have that attitude that they’re going to win every game.”
Todd Marver is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.