Charmed Prep
Malm's leadership shines brightly
| By Austin Maloney |
| September 12, 2008 |
Some might say Jeff Malm's high school baseball career has been charmed. It wouldn't be fair to credit luck for an excellent three-year run that has been the product of hard work and extraordinary physical ability.
Since his arrival on the campus of Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman High as a freshman, there has been little question of Malm's confidence. Bishop Gorman head coach Chris Sheff knew the freshman first baseman was talented but when Malm said that Bishop Gorman would win four state championships during his high school career it was the first sign that something might be different.
Normally a bold prediction from a freshman would draw scoffs from a veteran coach with over ten years of experience of playing professional baseball like Sheff, but instead Malm set the tone for a career that would be marked as much by his outstanding play as by his leadership.
"He is always confident," Sheff said. "Players tend to look at players that are confident as leaders. He believes in himself and his teammates."
Malm has backed up his prediction his first three years in high school as a key part of three straight state champion teams at Bishop Gorman.
After hitting .441 as a freshman, Malm was able to wet his feet against elite national competition when he took his local American Legion team to the western regional finals in the summer following his freshman year.
As Malm's profile has grown nationally, so has Bishop Gorman's, as they have appeared in national rankings and play one of the most competitive high school schedules in the country.
"The schedule we play helps a lot because I see a lot more quality pitching," Malm said. "It helps out in the summer when you are facing the top pitchers in the country."
The competition Malm has faced at Bishop Gorman has allowed him to adjust to facing top talent, but he also received a unique honor in the summer of 2007 when he was invited to play in the Cape Cod High School Classic. The only junior selected for the game, Malm was able to play with and against members of the 2008 draft. Playing alongside prep starts like Brett Lawrie, L.J. Hoes and Jaff Decker, Malm was able to get a sense of what the most elite talent in the country looked like, but also develop relationships with top players.
"(Cape Cod) was pretty incredible," Malm said. "Just to play and start some friendships with guys who have gone through the draft was great."
Malm got a chance to grow closer to some of the same players he saw in Cape Cod when he was selected as a member of USA Baseball's 2007 Junior National Team. One of just three members of the class of 2009 to play on the bronze-medal winning team at the Pan Am Junior Games, Malm was one of the team's leading hitters, batting .400 for the tournament. Malm also drove in five runs and threw a scoreless inning on the mound.
This year, as he competes with his own peers in the top summer showcase events, Malm has solidified his reputation as one of the best hitters in the class of 2009.
As part of the American Legion team at the 2008 Tournament of Stars in Cary, N.C., Malm displayed his polished approach at the plate, going 7-for-20 while facing some of the nation's top pitchers. Malm belted a double and a triple during his time in Cary, while playing an error-free at first base.
His strong performance in Cary earned him a spot again on USA Baseball's Junior National Team and Malm delivered the best offensive performance of IBAF World AAA Junior Championships for the Americans. Malm finished with a .464/.529/.679 line as the U.S. took home a silver medal. Malm's numbers made it clear he has mastered amateur pitching, as he belted six doubles in 28 at-bats along with 11 RBIs in eight games.
"Playing in the state championships and big games throughout the spring kind of takes the pressure off summer games," Malm said about his ability to adjust to the high level of international competition.
After finishing up a summer where he established himself as a top-flight hitter in the class of 2009, Malm will head back to Nevada, to work on his most important goal right now—winning a fourth-straight state championship. And with Bishop Gorman's track record, no one is counting the Gaels out.
"(The success at Bishop Gorman) has been what's meant the most," Malm said. "Just being part of a team with that kind of winning streak. It's all a tribute to our coaching staff."
It has been helpful for Malm to have a coach like Chris Sheff guiding his development for the past three years. Sheff spent nearly a decade in professional baseball after playing at Pepperdine University. Sheff's experience has served as a guide for Malm as he navigates the tricky path of being one of the nation's most sought after prospects.
"He kind of has been through everything," Malm said. "When colleges first started contacting me he helped me prepare for what to expect and it's been the same with pro ball."
Sheff has built one of the top programs in the state of Nevada and the nation by focusing his players on the goal of reaching the next level. Sheff's long stint in pro ball taught him how to weather slumps and poor performances, something he has tried to pass on to his players.
"We talk about the next level on everyday basis," Sheff added. "We talk about what it takes to play at that level. (Jeff) has had a steady dose of that since day one. You're going to face struggles, how you deal with them is going to determine who you become. Jeff gets a steady dose of what's to come, so hopefully he is more prepared."
Malm will most likely remain a first baseman at the next level. While his lack of a premium position in the field may hurt his draft stock, observers say that his defensive ability at first base is advanced beyond the high school level.
"(Defensively) he is as good as some major leaguers right now," said Sheff about Malm's ability to handle the defensive responsibilities on the right side of the infield.
While his defense doesn't raise red flags, it isn't his glove that has drawn scouts to Las Vegas over the past two years to watch Malm. Malm's hit tool is widely considered one of the top in the class of 2009. It has been clear since his arrival that his bat was explosive, but his approach to hitting is what could set him apart at the next level.
"Last year I thought he could be a Double-A hitter," Sheff said. "I giggle a lot because I think he does some things a lot better than I did and I played at Triple-A."