Jimmy Pickens of Brother Rice High School attempts to make a catch in an April game against Divine Child High School. Pickens has committed to play with the Spartans next year, but after being drafted by the Detroit Tiger, he will have to choose between the two teams if the Tigers offer him a contract.
Jimmy Pickens is the type of baseball player who is willing to do anything for his team to win.
When catching for his high school team, the recent Brother Rice High School graduate found himself in the middle of an attempted suicide squeeze where the hitter missed the ball. Brother Rice head coach Bob Riker said Pickens grabbed the ball, ran the batter over and chased down the runner on third base to make the play.
Riker said Pickens’ willingness to do anything for his team made him stand out and caught the eye of MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr.
Pickens verbally committed to play for MSU before his senior year of high school, and this summer, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 41st round of the MLB draft, leaving him with a choice between the Spartans or the Tigers.
“It’s a win-win situation because only good things can come from it,” Pickens said. “Either I got to the defending Big Ten Conference champions with Michigan State, or I continue my dream of wanting to be a professional athlete and go play in the minor leagues with the Tigers.”
The Tigers have until Aug. 15 to offer Pickens a formal contract, but until that time comes, he is worry-free playing summer ball for the U22 Michigan Bulls in the Livonia Collegiate Baseball League.
Opening his high school career with a state championship under his belt, Pickens was the lone freshman on Riker’s 2008 team, and as the team’s catcher, he never showed any signs of being younger.
“(He) had three hits in the state championship game,” Riker said. “He’s just one of those guys that I call a game-changer. He can change the game with his at-bats.”
For his first three years of high school, Pickens sat behind the plate in every game. But for most of his final season, he switched to left field — a position he welcomed because he was in the outfield for his summer teams, and the switch was for the overall benefit of his team.
Pickens’ versatility was one of his characteristics that originally attracted Boss to the recruit. While Boss said Pickens would most likely play in the outfield, it’s reassuring that he can play various defensive positions and still perform offensively as well.
Coming off of a championship season, Boss said Pickens is a fierce competitor, and his attitude of refusing to accept defeat will only benefit the defending conference champions.
“The thing that excited us most were the intangibles that he brings to the table in the way of his leadership ability, his competitiveness (and) his drive to succeed,” Boss said. “He’s a very, very competitive kid who doesn’t like to lose and will do anything to ensure he and his teammates are successful.”
As a running back in high school, Pickens plays baseball with the physical mentality of a football player, Riker said, which is evident in his aggressive play and ability to take charge whether he’s in the outfield or behind the plate. Pickens’ speed and risk-taking also set him apart from other players his age.
Despite his late draft pick, Pickens said he cannot make a decision about playing for MSU or in the minor leagues unless the Tigers offer him a formal contract. Until that day happens, he’s not thinking about the potential difficult decision.
Pickens said after attending his Academic Orientation Program last week, he’s excited to most likely join the Spartans’ roster and come to campus at MSU.
“I’m just getting prepared to go play and win another conference championship and then go on and win the tournament next year for Michigan State,” Pickens said.
“As of right now, I’m just going to play for Michigan State, and if something else happens, something else happens.”
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