Jace Bohrofen has had the luxury of growing up in a baseball family. He has an older brother who’s a Division I collegiate baseball player and a father who spent two years playing in the minor leagues.
The wealth of knowledge and experience, along with just the competitiveness he and his brother had with one another growing up, has helped Bohrofen develop into one of the top prep players in the country.
Bohrofen’s success and development throughout his high school career have positioned him to potentially start a professional career this summer. Pro scouts consider the prep outfielder from Oklahoma City as a likely early-round pick in this year’s MLB draft.
“I’m very fortunate to be a prospect and have a chance to go and get drafted,” Bohrofen said. “It’s been very cool. A lot of eyes on you at the games, so you really have to focus in and try to not do too much.
“As far as the draft goes, I try not to focus too much on it because it’s just a distraction and not why I’m playing baseball for. You’re there to win games and have fun with your teammates.”
Bohrofen might not embark on a pro career this summer, however. He committed to the University of Oklahoma over the University of Arkansas and Oklahoma State University in November.
Bohrofen’s father, Brent, played at Oklahoma from 1988-91 and his brother, Braxton, is a redshirt freshman for the Sooners. His family’s history with the program and the ability to play with his older brother were major factors in his decision, Bohrofen said.
“That was basically why I wanted to go there,” Bohrofen said. “I wanted to play with my brother. I got to play with him in high school for two years and really enjoyed that. I would like to play with him in the future. That will add some leeway to my decision and also my dad went there so just a really cool experience.”
Bohrofen has a balanced set of tools with the potential to be a five-tool player in the future.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound left-handed hitter consistently barrels up pitches with his quick, compact swing. He has a strong understanding of the strike zone and a track record of success hitting against high-end pitching.
“My hitting ability is my biggest strength,” Bohrofen said. “I’ve always been able to hit from a young age and worked on it with my cousin and my dad since I was little to just try to get inside the ball and drive it to the gaps.”
Bohrofen didn’t start playing in the outfield until his freshman year in 2017. He used to play shortstop and first base when he was younger, so it’s taken him time to develop comfort in the outfield, he said.
Despite only playing in the outfield for four years, Bohrofen has all the necessary traits to stick in center field long term. He has solid speed, a strong arm and the instincts required to play the position.
“I just want to work on my defensive ability in the outfield,” Bohrofen said. “Getting to play the outfield more and set my reads and understand the angles and just reading the ball off the bat, along with footwork, are what I want to try to better my skills on.”
With his senior season of baseball canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bohrofen is working with his brother on different hitting and outfield drills, he said.
Bohrofen is eager for the next step in his baseball career, regardless of if it’s Oklahoma or the pro ranks. He knows he will have to make a decision between the two options this summer, but right now he’s just trying to enjoy this process and lean on his family and God through it all.
“God has had the biggest impact on me,” Bohrofen said. “I’m just trusting his process. I know he has a plan for me and knows what’s best for me in my future.”
Read more stories on top 2020 MLB draft prospects here.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for five years. He’s interviewed 191 of the top draft prospects in that period, including three No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today and The Arizona Republic, have quoted his work, while he’s appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
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