Courtesy KSU Athletics
Player: Jared Humphreys
Position: Second baseman
Year: Senior
School: Kent State
Seniority rules. At least so far on the Buckeye State Baseball DI Top 20 list. As we profile another elite in-state talent, Kent State second baseman Jared Humphreys is the fifth senior of the seven profiled players so far.
However, unlike the previous three, Humphreys is a native Buckeye. As he enters his redshirt-senior year, perhaps none on the list more than he values what it means to don the uniform of arguably the state’s premier program.
The career of the Jackson, Ohio product can be defined in two parts. Pre red-shirt, post-redshirt. Graduating as a Jackson Ironman in 2005, Humphreys did so as the 37th player in his class, rated by The Buckeye Scout. As one of the state’s prized recruits Humphreys made the trek up I-77 to attend Kent State.
As a true freshman Humphreys appeared in 32 games, making 13 starts for head coach Scott Stricklin who was in his second season manning the Golden Flashes. The 32 games saw Humphreys step into the right batter’s box 62 times officially, collecting 12 hits, including a triple, for a .194 average. The rookie season saw Humphreys score six runs while driving in 11, as he picked up valuable gametime experience.
The 2007 season was to be one of breakthrough for Humphreys but the cork never got removed as the entire season was lost to injury as Humphreys red-shirted.
2008 would see Humphreys deliver and produce during his highly awaited sophomore season. Making 38 starts in 55 games played, a .301 batting average was posted, picking up 49 hits in 163 at-bats. In scoring 29 runs while driving in 21, 79 total bases were touched as Humphreys collected eight doubles, two triples, and four home runs.
With six base on balls and seven hit by pitches, an on-base percentage of .350 was finished with, against 31 strikeouts. Once on base Humphreys was KSU’s top stolen base threat, leading the Flashes in attempts with 15 and stolen bases with 11. A stellar fielding percentage of .982 Humphreys accumulated, committing just two errors in 110 chances, primarily in the outfield.
With expectations high for Kent State in 2009, Humphreys was a vital cog in the Flashes machine, being their everyday center fielder in route to second-team All-MAC honors.
As Kent State motored to a 43-17 record, Humphreys played in all but one game. Providing five-tool talent, nearly every Kent State offensive category found his name at or near the top. The 224 at-bats ranked third on the team. The 76 hits, trailed Jimmy Rider by 1. As a result Humphreys batted at a .339 clip fourth-best.
Also fourth-best was the 54 runs scored, while the 61 RBI’s trailed only the drafted Greg Rohan’s 63. With 11 doubles, two triples, and eight home runs, Humphreys finished with 115 total bases for a .513. Perhaps no sign showed the progression at the plate as the walks to strikeout ratio as 36 free passes were drawn including 12 by way of hit by pitch, against 33 strikeouts.
The ability to reach base allowed the swift center-fielder to take his game to another level. By a large margin Humphreys was KSU’s main base-stealing threat once again, racking up 26 stolen base attempts, successfully swiping 23 bags. The speed Humphreys possess no doubt played a large role in his ability to play an outstanding center field. Humphreys fielding percentage was a perfect 1.000, committing no errors in 133 chances. Most impressive was the 15 outfield assists the junior finished with.
As Kent State finished third in the Tempe NCAA Regional, the taste for success and post-season play is in the mouthes of returning Golden Flash players. With progression continuing with each passing season, there is no reason not to expect Humphreys to lead KSU to another post-season appearance. As Stricklin brings Humphreys in from the outfield as the team’s full time second baseman in 2010, combined with Rider, KSU is home to the state’s best duo up the middle.
Filed under: Division I
