Adam Kloffenstein, a right-handed pitcher, posted an 11-1 record with a 1.20 ERA, 113 strikeouts and 17 walks in 78 innings for Magnolia High in Texas this spring.
His dominance on the mound the last two years has caused professional scouts to consider him as one of the top prep pitchers in the 2018 MLB Draft class. MLB.com ranks the righty as the 43rd-best prospect in Monday’s draft.
“Whatever happens on Monday, I’m thankful for what’s happened in this whole process,” said Kloffenstein, a TCU commit. “I’m not worried or stressed out about it because I know I’m comfortable either way I go.
“There’s a small chance that I’ll miss TCU. If that chance does happen and I end up going to whichever major league team, I know it’ll be for the right reason and what’s best for me. If it doesn’t, then I’ll be a Horned Frog and go there and try to win a national championship.”
A 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-handed pitcher, Kloffenstein has a four-pitch mix. He throws a fastball – four-seam and two-seam – changeup, curveball and slider. His four-seamer sits in the mid-90s, while his two-seam fastball consistently reaches the low-90s with heavy sink.
Refining his breaking pitches was Kloffenstein’s priority this spring. He used to throw a cutter, but it developed into more of a slider this spring as he became comfortable throwing the pitch.
Even with multiple scouts in attendance for each of his starts this spring, Kloffenstein didn’t let the pressure affect him. Instead, he took another step forward in his development, solidifying himself as a first- or second-round pick, if he’s open to bypassing TCU.
“I like the spotlight,” he said. “I like the 7 p.m. start where the students crowd the stands and 50-60 scouts there. I like that feeling. Do I get butterflies? Of course. Who doesn’t? But it’s definitely a lot more fun to have the scouts there.”
Kloffenstein has gone through the draft process with teammate and friend, Jordan Groshans, who’s also considered a potential first-round pick.
“We talk about it every day,” Kloffenstein said. “It’s something that’s hard not to talk about. I’m very excited for our futures. I’m excited for him. I couldn’t tell you what’s going to happen. Either way we go, we are going to be successful.”
While Kloffenstein isn’t sure on if he’ll attend TCU or jump straight into the professional ranks, he said it’s been a learning experience and has helped him grow on and off the field.
“I’m right where at the same place where I was in the fall,” said Kloffenstein on the draft. “It’s cool to be talked about. For a lack of a better term, that’s about as good as I can describe it, it’s cool. It’s humbling and makes me work harder. This whole process has made me grow up a lot and formed me into a more mature young man.”
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