Cool, Calm And Collected
Prep shortstop Mier impresses with his glove
| By Jesse Burkhart |
| April 23, 2009 |
Sports psychologists don't have to look beyond La Verne, Calif., for a walking case study of how to perform well under pressure.
With the draft approaching and the anxiety that comes along with wanting to end a high school career on a high note, it would be understandable if Jiovanni Mier was pressing.
And that appeared to be the case when the season got under way, as Bonita High head coach Jon Knott noted the inconsistency of Mier's at-bats and observed his star "trying to do too much."
But after the Bearcats were more than halfway through their schedule, by the looks of Mier's season line urgency has become a stranger to the 6-foot-2, 180-pound shortstop. Mier was batting .444/.536/.889 with 12 RBIs and a team-best 11 extra-base hits while leading a senior-laden team to a 12-3 overall record.
Here is an energetic kid cognizant of a life-altering decision he will face in June—signing with the major league franchise that drafts him, or heading off to play college ball at Southern California—and he was swinging the bat like he didn't have a worry in the world. Chalk up the carefree mentality to a perspective beyond his years.
"Before I committed, I didn't think I would be in this situation right now. Of course, playing at USC would be a special experience," Mier said. "I'm going to see how my senior year works out and see what falls into place. That's pretty much my focus right now, playing my last year of high school. Whatever happens, happens. The way I see it, it's a win-win for me."
Taking It Easy
If what Mier has accomplished recently was the result of letting things fall into place, that seems like the way to go.
In 2008, he was named MVP of Southern California's Miramonte League after he batted .479 with 30 RBIs, three home runs and 15 stolen bases while striking out just five times. He also showed ability on the mound, pitching mostly in relief and finishing with 19 strikeouts and a 3.10 ERA in 20 innings. That summer, he was invited to USA Baseball's Tournament of Stars, from which he was selected to participate in the 18U National Team Trials.
Mier's considerable talents have made him a brand name in the scouting community, but it's his maturity that will allow him to take the next step when the time comes.
"People that know him speak very highly of him. He gets it in terms of what you want your kid to be like, and he's a really well-rounded kid," Knott said. "It's been great to see him mature. Man, it's been fun to watch him. It's going to be sad to say goodbye."
What Mier has done at the plate to this point is commendable, but defense is his calling card.
Talent evaluators consider Mier a premium defender who figures to stay at his position throughout his career, which isn't always the case for high school shortstops.
"I just think he's a talented, young, center-of-the-diamond prospect," one American League scout said. "A lot of people are drawing comparisons between him and Nomar Garciaparra at their stage of their careers as high school players."
A Well-Rounded Approach
A multi-sport star since his freshman year at Bonita, Mier says that playing soccer and football have made him a better baseball player, crediting soccer's heavy emphasis on skill work for his quick feet and football's daily grind for becoming mentally tougher.
Mier has major league actions, good range and a strong arm, as his fastball sat between 91-93 mph in a game against Murrieta Valley (Calif.) High earlier in the year. He also draws praise for his instinctive play, a result of tireless individual ground ball and situational work that has become a staple of Bonita practices.
"We do ground balls every day. We do individual defense every day," Mier said. "(Coach Knott) reminds us to go 100 percent every time during individual defense. That's pretty much what we do every day."
Knott said he devotes the last 30 minutes of practice to setting up live scenarios that give Mier different reads in different situations, helping him to improve his technique and understanding of how to play the position.
"He's got the arm strength, he's got instincts on the field, a projectable body," the scout said. "He's just a lean, rangy kid right now with a nose for the ball."
The key will come in how he fulfills his offensive potential.Right now, Mier's stride is a bit long and he has problems with the timing of his load. Once the mechanical shortcomings are solved, he has a chance for above-average power down the line, as scouts have seen good bat speed, leverage and loft to go along with a projectable frame.
Making good on that potential has been difficult this season, however, as the competition has grown familiar with Mier and pitches around him with greater frequency. So instead of getting caught up in the results, Knott has encouraged him to focus more on the quality of each at-bat—advice he has seemed to embrace.
"He is somebody that is humble. You don't see him talking a lot about himself," Knott said. "Jio is just one of those kids who wants the ball in a pressure situation. Whenever he's at short, he wants every ball hit to him. Or at the plate, with two outs and runners on the bases. I know a lot of kids who say they want to be in that position, but Jio is that kid."