Libertyville grad Evan Skoug still in hot pursuit of MLB dream (original) (raw)

Soon after the 2014 MLB amateur draft, when current TCU catcher Evan Skoug was wrapping up his senior high school season at Libertyville, he made a bold prediction.

Skoug had made it clear to pro teams that he would attend college, thus dropping his draft stock from the second or third round all the way to the 34th, where the Washington Nationals selected him. True to his word, he declined to sign and instead headed for Texas.

“Make no mistake, I plan on playing in the majors,” Skoug said at the time. “That’s what all my hard work has been about. That’s going to be my career, my life. It’s just on hold for now, so I have something to fall back on. My goal is becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft.”

Though the accuracy of his prediction remains unknown, Skoug continues to excel at the next level. He started all 66 games for the Horned Frogs as a freshman and led the team with 46 RBIs.

This spring, he’s started 61 of 64 games through Monday, June 20, is batting .301 and is second on the team with 51 RBIs. Unlike some catchers who welcome a day off once in a while, he hates the bench.

“For me to be out there and have the ability to do something to affect the team and the game — and to help our team win — is what I love,” Skoug said. “Being out of the game on the sidelines tears me apart.”

Wherever Skoug has gone, success has followed. He led Libertyville to a Class 4A second-place finish as a junior. And it was his infield hit during a 16-inning game a year ago that sent TCU to the College World Series.

Skoug and TCU (48-16 as of Monday, June 20) punched their College World Series ticket again this spring. In the opening game against Texas Tech on Sunday, June 19, Skoug went 2-for-5 with a double. His opposite-field single in the top of the ninth helped spark a three-run rally in TCU’s 5-3 victory.

Lake Forest senior Cal Coughlin, who will be Skoug’s teammate at TCU next season, was watching.

“Evan is an amazing, gifted freak of an athlete,” Coughlin said. “He even texted me while I was in the playoffs here in Illinois to see how I was doing. Watching him the past few years at TCU has been amazing.”

For Skoug to achieve his dream of being a high draft pick — whether he turns pro in 2017 or after his senior season in 2018 — he knows he must continue polishing his defensive skills.

“I’m not sure (when I’ll turn pro),” Skoug said. “Either way works for me. If an opportunity comes up next year that I can’t pass up, then that’s going to be something to consider. If something doesn’t go the way I think it will, I’ll be happy to return to TCU for my senior season. I haven’t made that decision yet.”

“His defense has almost caught up with his offense,” added interim Libertyville coach Sean Ferrell, who worked with Skoug for part of his freshman season. “The thing people don’t realize about Evan is he’s got a stronger work ethic than almost anyone I’ve ever seen. His success is no accident.”

Skoug’s work away from baseball is notable, too. In 2014, he spearheaded a campaign that raised $8,214 to fight a rare, potentially life-threatening disease that affects the muscles called Nemaline myopathy.

When time permits, he visits 7-year-old Micah Ahern, who has a form of cancer called neuroblastoma. Skoug said he draws inspiration from Micah’s lengthy, courageous battle against the disease.

TCU even has a special emblem sewn on its caps in Micah’s honor.

“He’s one of my superheroes,” Skoug said. “I’ve been given a platform to give back and to help those who aren’t as fortunate as I’m lucky to be. Any chance I get to help those kids take a load off and smile and forget about what they’re going through is extremely important to me.”

Tim Froehlig is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

Twitter @TFroehlig

Originally Published: June 21, 2016 at 3:28 PM CDT