Providence High star Eli Jerzembeck talks the beach, kid baseball, and bat flips

This weekend’s 4A state baseball championship series between Providence and Pinecrest is loaded with star power.

Each team has several players that are college commits, or are being recruited, and a handful of the Panthers and Patriots are getting attention from professional scouts.

But no players will command as much attention as Providence senior Eli Jerzembeck, expected to be the Panthers’ starter when they open the final series at 5 p.m. Friday against Pinecrest at Burlington Athletic Park.

Jerzembeck is a South Carolina commit, is ranked No. 5 among professional prospects this year in North Carolina, and is likely to be picked in the first few rounds of the MLB Draft next month.

He throws a 92 mph fastball, and his curveball has a very high spin rate, according to analysts.

He is the son of Mike Jerzembeck, a pitcher who played professionally for nine years, including a stint with the New York Yankees. Eli’s older brother, Satchel, played at North Carolina.

Eli himself started playing in the Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association (MARA), then graduated to travel ball.

His dad helped coach him, until Eli got to seventh grade.

“When I got to that point, he told me, ‘It can’t be daddy ball any more.’ ”

He is a no-nonsense pitcher. You won’t see Jerzembeck take a minute between pitches.

“When I get the ball back from the catcher, I’m not going to stand there and overthink things,” he says. “Just pitch the ball!”

And he is not short on confidence.

“I go out there, thinking that I can get any batter out,” he says. “That’s the way you have to think.”

So that’s the background on Eli Jerzembeck.

Earlier this week, the Observer put him on the spot, offering up a series of questions. Here’s how the Providence High pitcher did in the “lightning round”:

If not baseball, then which sport?

“Oh, man, it’s basketball! I love it. I’ll play whenever I get a chance. But I can’t dunk.”

Favorite class in school?

“History. I’m really into history. It’s always fascinated me.”

Many analysts say your curveball is your best pitch. What is the right age to start throwing a curve?

“I think a lot of kids start throwing it too early. My dad didn’t want me to start throwing a curve when I was young. So I didn’t start until I was a sophomore. My advice for younger players is to wait.”

If you’re walking past a diamond, and there’s a youth game going on, do you stop and watch?

“Absolutely! When I drive past the MARA fields, sometimes I’ll stop and watch. I love watching baseball.”

What’s your pet peeve?

“When you go to the beach, you swim in the ocean. You don’t take a trip to the beach and then swim in a pool! I just can’t understand people who do that.”

Beach or the mountains?

“Well, I like them both. If you had to press me, I’d say the beach.”

Favorite video game?

“Fortnite. I love it!”

Favorite athlete who’s not a baseball player?

“I really don’t have one.”

Providence High’s team is known for photo bombing during interviews and other pranks. Who’s the funniest guy on the team?

“Hmmm … I’d have to say Donohue (junior Dan Donohue) or Garfinkle (senior David Garfinkle).”

Any superstitions?

“No, not really.”

If you had a chance for tickets, would you choose the MLB All-Star Game or the World Series?

“Oh, the Series! The All-Star Game is basically a media event. I want to see the Series. That’s what really counts.”

How do you feel about the pitch clock?

“I work fast. I don’t have to worry about a pitch clock. When I get the ball back, I’m ready to throw again.”

One change you’d like in baseball?

“I want to see the passion return. Some players get upset when a hitter does a bat flip. That doesn’t bother me. If someone hits one out against me and wants to flip the bat, go for it! That just serves to motivate me more. Baseball needs to be fun!”

Steve Lyttle on Twitter: @slyttle