College baseball: Junior college the right path for Huntley grad Jeff Heinrich

Jeff Heinrich did not receive much big-time college interest while playing at Huntley High School, but figured he could still reach the NCAA Division I level by first heading to McHenry County College.

Red Raiders coach Andy Jakubowski, who coached a short stint at Elgin Community College before coming to Huntley, completely agreed.

“Coach [Jared] Wacker’s done a great job over there at MCC recruiting players, and I’m a big proponent of junior college baseball,” Jakubowski said. “If you’re not getting the looks that you think you should, why not go to JUCO and buy your two years and see what happens?”

What happened for Heinrich, a 2017 Huntley graduate, was two years of hot hitting for a strong team that earned him a scholarship at a Southeastern Conference school. Heinrich traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday and before coming back Thursday he accepted an offer from South Carolina coach Mark Kingston to play for the Gamecocks.

“That was my goal, not necessarily the SEC, but Power Five baseball,” Heinrich said. “The goal was to play as high [a level] of baseball as I could, and I feel like I succeeded by finding a home in the SEC. I’ve never seen facilities like that before. I like the city a lot, and the school was rustic, but also modern. I clicked with the coaches.”

Heinrich currently is hitting .458 with one home run and 14 RBIs for the 12-5 Scots. He hits in the No. 2 spot and plays second base. He has nine stolen bases and 11 extra-base hits.

“[South Carolina] big-time right there,” Jakubowski said. “That’s a pretty cool experience to play in the best conference in college baseball, going up against LSU and Mississippi State. It’s a testament to all the hard work Jeff’s put in over the years to make it to that level.”

Heinrich’s speed, power and defensive versatility should serve him well with the Gamecocks. Heinrich has some hamstring issues last season and went to physical therapy over the summer. He adjusted his training for more flexibility and mobility, working with Scots strength coach Quint Zambon and also taking yoga classes.

“I feel like there are more plays I can make now that I’m more limber,” Heinrich said. “I can get a little bit extra reach on some plays.”

South Carolina saw Heinrich with MCC at a fall showcase tournament. Wacker said Heinrich had some great games to catch the Gamecocks’ coaches attention. He also had a big game this spring against North Park’s junior varsity when South Carolina had a coach scouting him.

Heinrich had offers from Illinois State, Michigan State and Western Kentucky. He canceled a scheduled visit to North Carolina State after committing to South Carolina.

Jakubowski and Wacker both think Heinrich may get selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in June.

“He could have a hard decision to make in June on whether he goes to play pro ball or to go to South Carolina,” Jakubowski said.