Arkansas Interview: 2016 Kansas State Baseball Signee Kasey Ford Updates Senior Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

On a high school gridiron and diamond, there is not much Bentonville High School’s Kasey Ford cannot do or has not accomplished. Ford twice helped guide his team to an Arkansas state championship in football with a semifinal round finish in 2015 and is a top baseball prospect having signed with his dream school Kansas State in Jan. 2015.

Kasey is following in his brother’s footsteps matriculating to the Manhattan campus bringing a four-pitch arsenal with him that includes a two-seam and four-seam fastball, a pull-the-string kind of change-up, and a very effective curveball. During his junior season, Ford went 11-0 posting a 1.38 ERA with 66 strikeouts against 14 walk.

The high school baseball season is in full swing in Arkansas despite a lot of inclement weather affecting games statewide. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the right-handed fireball pitcher to get an update on his season as he tries to bring Bentonville another piece of hardware for their trophy case.

Interview

Kasey, fill me in on your season to date so far.

“Right now we are 11-4. We started off hot but hit a rough patch the last week or two. We have good talent. We played in a tournament in Florida (Orlando) a couple of weeks ago. It was good to see that kind of talent. That will help us face adversity later in the season. We took a bus to Florida, it was brutal. The trip was 21 hours. That was tough.”

Well, if you get drafted and play in the minors, get ready for it.

“Yeah, I know.”

How did you do in Florida?

“I did well. I pitched one game that went into extras. I think we lost in 11th. We went up against a good team. I think I gave up 2-3 runs, we lost 4-3. It was a good game. As a team we played well, hit the ball well, pitched well, but our defense struggled a little. We missed some routine plays that we normally make. Small errors that did us in.”

Which game has been your best so far?

“My best game came against Cabot – but we dropped that game. I went out there and threw strikes. All of my stuff was looking good, they just hit me. I had that “here it is, see if you can hit it” mentality and they hit it.”

Have you been gunned yet this season?

“Yes. I was hitting between 90-92 (miles per hour) on the gun.”

Are you throwing all of your pitches?

“Yes, I’m throwing all of them trying to get guys out.”

Are you hitting or do you have a DH (designated hitter) hitting in your spot?

“No, I hit for myself. I have hit well. You wouldn’t believe it but I hit a triple in one of our games. I legged one out.”

I would pay to see a 6’5”, 260 pound, guy leg out a triple.

(Laughs) “It was legit. I hit it solid into the gap.”

It wasn’t a single with a two-base error?

(Laughs) “No. I was just as surprised as anyone.”

Do you know where you guys are ranked within the state?

“We are No. 2 behind Bryant.”

Do you have any big games that you are getting excited to pitch or play in coming up?

“In this conference (7A West), every game is competitive. This week we are playing Southside (Fort Smith). They are always competitive. We play them well. I’m looking forward to playing Southside. They have changed how we play double-headers. Monday they are at our place and Tuesday we are at their place. It used to be two games on one night. I liked that way better.”

What is your win-loss record?

“2-2.”

Are the Kansas State coaches in touch with you about how your season is going?

“Yes. They call me after every game. They have this thing, they have a notification when something pops up about me online. When info goes up about our game they call me. Actually, I talked to my pitching coach (Tyler Kincaid) after one of my outings and he gave me some pointers. He’s coaching me already. I love the fact he’s ready to work with me and helping me right now.”

That’s great that they are willing to help your progress while you are still in high school. Kasey, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: arkansasonline.com; Bentonville teammates celebrate a win with Kasey Ford (left).

Photo credit: arpreps.com; No. 15 Kasey Ford coming off the mound.