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Jaff Decker of Sunrise Mountain relaxes before his team's home opener against Deer Valley Wednesday.
Mollie J. Hoppes
Split Personality
The Sunrise Mountain baseball team's batting practice session Wednesday was a popular place to be. Almost three hours before their season-opening game against Deer Valley, they had already drawn a crowd. Or, to be more specific, Jaff Decker had drawn a crowd. Four scouts were there to get a look at the pitcher/outfielder, considered to be one of the best prospects in the state. As he stepped into the box, launching bomb after bomb over the fence in every direction, the scouts were laughing. 'I'm going to call this kid the Toy Cannon,' one scout said. For the team and for Decker, now in his senior season, the attention is nothing new. In fact, it is constant. 'It is like this every day,' head coach Eric Gardner said. 'Every game, every batting practice, there are at least a few guys who want to get a look at Jaff. I think it's gotten to the point now that he doesn't even really notice them.' Decker does notice, though. He just does not care. 'It doesn't really bother me,' Decker said. 'I guess I just don't think about it.' Decker has been playing baseball since he was four years old. Gardner said he has power to all fields as a hitter, and is a bulldog when he gets on the mound. 'He's a power pitcher, there is no question about that,' Gardner said. 'He's the type of guy that will just keep throwing fastballs by you until someone proves they can hit it. He's a quiet guy normally, but when he gets on the field he gets seriously fired up.' After coming up short in the postseason two years in a row, it is no wonder why Decker is so competitive. 'I want to win a title,' Decker said. 'We came close two years ago, we lost earlier than we should have last year, in the semifinals, and now I've got one shot left. It's all I think about.' In truth, that is not all he thinks about. Decker committed to play at Arizona State next season; previously, he had verbally committed to UCLA. He is even getting attention at the professional level; most draft projections have him going somewhere between the first and fifth round. 'It was a tough decision, especially after I gave my verbal to UCLA, but I know I made the right choice,' Decker said. 'And I do want to get drafted, but I think this is the best choice for me right now.' Gardner said he can see how excited Decker is to see how far his power arm and big swing can take him. 'I know Jaff is anxious to play for ASU, and to tell you the truth, I think he could step out on the field and make an impact for ASU right now,' Gardner said. 'As far as his career goes, I think he has a chance to go all the way. It really depends on who drafts him and at what position.' Decker said if he had to choose between the two, he would give up pitching. 'I love to hit,' Decker said with a smile. For now, though, he does not have to make that decision. For now, it is all about winning a championship. 'I don't want to worry about that other stuff yet,' Decker said. 'I want to just focus on the season ahead.'
