[wpbvideo id=”355903″]
If you follow baseball, you’ve heard of the expression ‘five tool player.’
Kickapoo senior Mason Auer is one of those players.
He has speed, power, arm strength, fielding ability and he hits for average.
What all of that really means is Auer can do a bit of everything on the diamond.
That’s especially true on the pitching mound.
“On the bump, he’s low to mid-90s, he has a very good overhand breaking ball. He’s kind of like two players in one,” said Kickapoo Head Coach Jason Howser.
Those skills have drawn Auer plenty of attention.
The Missouri State signee has caught the eye of many a pro scout.
Combining that with other responsibilities could amount to a bit of pressure for a high school student.
So Auer’s approach is simple: take life one thing at a time.
“You just have to get your priorities straight. You have to focus on the high school season and not worry about anything else, everything else will come. You just have to worry about what you’re doing right now,” said Auer.
So far, so good on that front.
Auer has already earned one win this year, while smacking his first homerun.
Howser says that success will continue as long as Auer keeps it simple.
“The main emphasis from me to him personally was I want you to enjoy your senior year. Have fun playing the game of baseball,” Howser said.
Perhaps at MSU, Auer will get the chance to enjoy the game on the mound and in the field.
Which might be good, because choosing just one could prove difficult.
“I don’t really know, I like them both,” Auer said. “I don’t really have a favorite.”
Only time will tell exactly what’s next for the Chiefs five-tool player.
For now, he’s their jack of all trades, making him this week’s Arby’s High School Athlete of the Week.
