Ty Hensley
RHP
Santa Fe HS, Edmond, OK
“5 Pitch Strikeout”
The state of Oklahoma has had some very good pitchers over the last couple of years dating back to the Marlins drafting Josh Johnson from Union HS. Last year, Archie Bradley (Broken Arrow HS) and Dylan Bundy (Owasso HS) were both picked in the 1st round of the MLB draft. Many wonder will the tradition continue? There’s a 6’5, 225 pound kid in Edmond, OK that attends Santa Fe HS that seems to think so. There has been a lot made of the recent success of Ty Hensley, as he has jumped on the recruiting radar with his 95 mph fastball. He also is a switch hitter, but I doubt you will be seeing much of him hitting from now on. His success over the summer has lead him into the starting role as for the Under Armour All America game, where he threw the ball very well against some of the nation’s best. He has recently committed to Ole Miss, and was nice enough to stop by to chat with us about his commitment, the All-America game, and a lot of other topics, enjoy!
(The Future of Ole Miss)
Pitch 1: The state of Oklahoma seems to be a hot bed right now for baseball, with Bradley and Bundy both going in the top 10 picks in this past year’s draft. How do you think you compare to them you think? Have you ever pitched against them?
Ty: Well I expect to make some major strides in this offseason since im not playing football. I try not to compare myself to others, but they would be great examples of the ideal first round pitcher. I hope to follow them up in this next coming year and represent Oklahoma well. They are great guys. I have never pitched against them, but our teams have matched up several times in the past couple years. Would have loved to compete against them though. They are very talented guys as well.
(Oklahoma baseball has been very good lately)
Pitch 2: I know that a lot of kids from the state of Oklahoma wouldn’t dare go anywhere other than Oklahoma or Oklahoma St, some even feel that way about Oral Roberts, tell the people where you have committed to, and you choice them over some of the instate power houses.
Ty: I have chosen to continue my baseball career at Ole Miss. I really didn't want to stay in state because i wanted to venture out and see what else is out there. I love Oklahoma, but i just wanted to go out of state for college, especially when i visited ole miss for the first time. I knew as soon as i went there that i wanted to play ball there. The campus is amazing and the program is on the rise. I am looking forward to it and can't wait to be in Oxford and be a Rebel!
Pitch 3: I am sure that you have been a part of a lot of accomplishments in the past few summers, from playing with the Sun Devils in the summer and Area Codes, but does any of that compare to starting on the mound for the Perfect Game All American Game? What did you think when they first told you that you would be the starter at Wrigley Field?
Ty: The Under Armour All America was an incredible experience that i will remember forever. I actually wasn't nervous at all to pitch there because i've pitched in front of large crowds before and just told myself to calm down. I was ecstatic when they told me that i'd be starting the game. Just to be able to play at historic Wrigley Field where so many greats have played before and to be able to meet Cal Ripken Jr., Billy Ripken, Larry Boa, and Ernie Banks was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I used every second of it asking about their careers and learning more about the game every time that i talked to them. It was neat to hear stories about their careers and especially from a hall-of-famer. I hope i have a chance to accomplish that someday as well.
Pitch 4: Congrats on the All Star game start by the way. Why don’t you tell the people out there about your team’s past season, how you guys did, and how good you think you guys will be this coming spring? Do you play other sports?
Ty: We lost in the semifinals to Dylan Bundy's team, Owasso in a close game. We were a great ball club, and i loved every single one of those guys, but this year we will be even better. We received a couple of move-ins over the summer and the sky is the limit for this club. We all get along great together and we want the best for each other. I am confident in saying that we will give everyone a good run for the State Title. I played football last year and i played football, basketball, and baseball through my sophomore year, then limited it to just football and baseball my junior year. I was the starting quarterback and it was really hard to give it up, but with USA i will miss some games and that's not fair to my teammates. I am going to still help out by actually being on the field helping the quarterbacks out. I am going to miss it a lot but i made the best decision for me this year by only playing baseball.
(Like Bundy and Bradley, Ty is very skilled in other sports)
Pitch 5: Ty, we thank you taking time out to talk to us, and be apart of the first “5 Pitch Strikeout” since we have decided to bring the website back, along with Blake Baxendale. I couldn’t think of any two better kids that we could have had. You are nominated for The Balk Blog Preseason Player of the Year, and well as National Player of the Year, we wish you the best of luck in both Ty. Why don’t we end this conversation by you telling your fans and friends anything else that you might want to say?
Ty: Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity first and foremost. But i'd just like to tell everybody to never give up on whatever you do and that anything is possible with focus and a desire to get there. Keep working hard and pursuing your dreams. Thanks again for the great opportunity. I appreciate it.
(You're never too old to fist pump!)
Thank you for everything Ty, but since this is the first “5 Star Pitchout” we have decided to add in a bonus feature, “Ball Four.”
Ball 1- What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is either Bull Durham or Step Brothers.
Ball 2- What is your favorite home cooked meal? My favorite home cooked meal is lasagna.
Ball 3- What is your favorite fast food place? My favorite fast food is Jack in the Box.
Ball 4- What is your best memory having to do with baseball? My best baseball memory which is still going on is to be able to represent the USA on the 18U team and following the footsteps of my dad, Mike, since he played on the collegiate USA team.
(The Legend, Ty Hensley)
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