Simeon catcher Hickman chooses Iowa

Updated: April 26, 2011 12:07PM

Simeon catcher Blake Hickman, one of the top baseball prospects in the country, made an oral commitment to Iowa on Monday.

Hickman, a junior, decided to make an early commitment because of his feel for Iowa and his commitment to the Simeon team.

“For me school is important,” Hickmsan said. “Education has always been a priority with my family. I also did not want to become a distraction to the team. Our goal is to win a championship and I feel we have the quality team and coaches to get it done.”

Hickman chose Iowa over Virginia Tech and Boston College. In a rain interrupted season so far that has only allowed Simeon to play 15 games, Hickman has a .444 batting average with two home runs and 21 RBI.

Hickman played for the Chicago White Sox Ace Program (Area Code Elite) over the summer, one of only 25 players throughout the midwest to make the team. He was also invited as a sophomore to try out for the USA Tournament of Stars 18 and under team and has received an invitation for the upcoming summer.

“Blake is a special one of a kind kid,” Simeon coach Leroy Franklin said. “If he continues on the path that he is on, he will be one of the best if not the best. He is an outstanding student , extremely coachable, and a hard worker. He wants to be the very best. His mother has done an outstanding job in raising him.”

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