Playing for national powerhouse James River High School in Virginia, right-handed pitcher Daniel Marrs is somewhat below the radar this spring, maybe not to the dozens of scouts that make it a point to see him pitch, but to fans that enjoy following some of the more interesting players that are eligible for the draft.

A lot of that has to do with his absence from the showcase circuit last summer, as Marrs’ was shut down for precautionary measures during his junior year in high school, causing him to miss prominent national events such as the Cape Cod Classic, Team USA and the Aflac All-American Classic during the summer of 2007.

The fact that he was selected to participate in all of these events gives you an idea of what kind of pitcher, and person, Marrs is. With a big, strong athletic frame, Marrs has been pitching well this spring, throwing in the mid-90s and topping out at 97. He threw in the 92-94 range at last fall’s WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, and is no stranger to Perfect Game events.

I recently spoke with Marrs about the interest he is receiving this spring, his take on the game of baseball and how well he has been throwing.

PG Crosschecker (PGCC): Can you please explain what caused you to get shut down at the end of your junior season that caused you to miss the 2007 summer showcase circuit, and how difficult was it not to participate in these events?

Daniels Marrs (DM): They explained to me that when you pitch your shoulder capsule expands and loosens up and the bones in there bang around more and more, the more the capsule expands. I was experiencing swelling in my shoulder and had a really deep bone bruise. The swelling pushed my shoulder onto my biceps tendon and pinched it, and that hurt a little bit which caused me to be shut down to let the swelling go down. I had to do physical therapy to put my shoulder back where it was supposed to be. It wasn’t a real serious injury, it just takes a while to heal, but it was frustrating to miss the Aflac game, the Cape Cod Classic game, Tournament of Stars and a bunch of other tournaments I really wanted to play in.

PGCC: Despite that set-back, you returned strong last fall pitching well in Jupiter at the WWBA World Championship. What did you do to prepare yourself for that tournament?

DM: I had a few rehab starts before that, I guess you could call them that, pitching in a fall league around here against a few other travel teams before I went down to Jupiter. I felt I was in pretty good shape. I was a little nervous and a little wild, but it went pretty well.

PGCC: Even though you didn't pitch at the Aflac game, you still participated in all of the drills and non-game events. What was the biggest thing you took from that event?

DM: The biggest thing that surprised me was the guys. I went in there kind of expecting to deal with a lot of egos, and maybe not get a long with all of the guys because of that. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that everyone was even tempered and got along really well, which was really refreshing, and we all had a really good time while we were there.

PGCC: How big of a thrill was it for you to meet a baseball legend such as Ozzie Smith?

DM: I didn’t talk to him too much, but we all got the chance to shake his hand while receiving a signed bat. He’s a really nice guy and a great public speaker, so it was great to have him there.

PGCC: Moving onto this year, you play for one of the best high school teams in the nation. Can you share with us some of the highlights of this season and what you can take from that high level of success?

DM: Last year we had a veteran team, with a bunch of guys that were three or four year starters. We really knew each other well and we really came together as a team, and we went 26-2 with a state championship; a really special year. This year we’re doing pretty well. We have a lot of talent and a lot of great guys, but we hit a couple of speed bumps in California (at the Anderson Bat National Classic) and when we first got back. We’ve gotten back together and we’ve won six of our last seven games, so we’re starting to get back together to where we can be and where we should be.

PGCC: Was it tough picking up and traveling across the nation to face some of the best teams in the country?

DM: It was really fun actually. We went to Disneyland and we went to the beach before we got to play. Once we began to play, it was a great atmosphere. We stayed four to a room, which sounds like a headache, but it was a great experience. We stumbled a little bit coming out before we got our stuff together with a couple of good wins at the end, and I think we came back a better team because of that.

PGCC: The premise of that tournament is very similar to the premise of Perfect Game showcase and tournament events in that they bring the best players from the nation together at one place for the players to play with and against one another. How much do you learn and grow by being a part of these events?

DM: I know I pick up a lot by watching other guys pitch. When I first hit the national circuit I was a young kid – I was big, I was strong but I didn’t really know how to pitch. One of the teams I was on I played with Tim Melville, and I picked up a lot from him watching him pitch since he was a lot more polished than me. Learning things from him and other guys is a way for me to find new ways to always get better.

PGCC: Is there anyone such as Tim Melville who may be in a similar situation to you right now that you can talk with on a day-to-day basis to help put perspective on everything you’re facing right now?

DM: I don’t talk with Tim so much since he moved and since we don’t play on the same travel team anymore, but here the closest guy I’ve got is (teammate) Austin Stadler. We have the same college commitment (Wake Forest) and he’s been a guy I’ve known really forever, and we keep pushing each other to get better and we’re not stopping yet.

PGCC: What led to your decision to commit to Wake Forest?

DM: I looked at schools with high level baseball and high level academics, which knocked a few out of the way, and when I got to know the coaches and when I got to visit the schools I just liked Wake Forest better. It’s smaller with a really unique atmosphere and I really like the coaches, so it all just fell into place.

PGCC: Is it difficult for you personally being the target of so many scouts, and does it make it difficult to not only concentrate on the game itself but your life outside of baseball?

DM: Not really. I’ve been used to it having been scouted by college coaches at least since my freshman year, so it’s something I’ve gotten used to having those people there. I don’t really hear or see the people outside the baseball field, I’m just focusing on my catcher.

PGCC: Do you get a sense from your conversations with scouts as to where you may be headed and whether or not you’ll get drafted early enough to forego your college commitment to play professionally?

DM: On different days I can get a completely different answer to that. They (scouts) don’t really tell me a whole lot about that. They talk to me about everything (on the field) and give me pretty straight answers as far as not committing one way or the other, so I’m pretty much in the dark right now.

PGCC: Similar to them not committing one way or the other, do you also have to be careful what you tell them so you don’t reveal too much about what you may expect for you to play pro ball versus heading to Wake Forest?

DM: Sometimes I guess. I don’t want to say anything I’ll regret (laughing).

PGCC: Can you offer us a synopsis of what kind of pitcher you are, what and how hard you throw?

DM: The reports I’ve read on me are that I’m big, I’m strong, and I get my fastball up in the mid-90s - I’ve touched 97 a few times recently. I’m usually 94, 95. I don’t always have consistency with my curveball getting a good break on it, and when I do get a good break on it it’s kind of hard to locate it at this point. So I have a few things I have to build on, but generally I spot my fastball, splitter and changeup and mix it up pretty well to keep hitters guessing, and keep them off the bases at least.

PGCC: Are you most comfortable with your fastball, is that your best pitch?

DM: I feel comfortable throwing my fastball and splitter whenever I need to. I can mix in my changeup and curveball when I need to, and my changeup is a little easier to locate at this point.

PGCC: I take it the curveball is the biggest thing you’re working on right now?

DM: The curveball is a work in progress. I started late with it because my dad was a little worried in that he didn’t want my elbow to go when I was 15, so I got a late start with it, and it has never been a pitch that I needed because I can throw my splitter over when I need a breaking ball. It does give me something to work on so I can get better.

PGCC: It sounds like your dad gave you some pretty good advice. Is there anyone else that has given you valuable guidance along the way?

DM: I’ve had a lot of coaches that have really gotten me into (pitching) shape, and have turned me into more of a baseball player even though I have a ways to go. My pitching coach right now is Rich Graham from Richmond Baseball Academy South. My travel and high school coaches have all helped me pull it together.

PGCC: Do you have any words of wisdom to share with other players and parents out there that may be in facing a similar situation as you are?

DM: Go have fun. A lot of times I think kids get so uptight about what is written on the internet about draft status and how it’s changing everyday. If you’re too concerned about that you can’t go out and play. So just go have fun and play your game and the rest will take care of itself.

Patrick Ebert is affiliated with both Perfect Game USA and Brewerfan.net, and can be contacted via email at pebert@brewerfan.net.