Mid-Prairie’s Karson Grout is already making plans for his post Golden Hawk career, and it involves him staying in black and gold. The sophomore standout has given his verbal commitment to head coach Rick Heller and the Iowa Hawkeye baseball team.
Grout has been a mainstay in the Mid-Prairie lineup as both an eighth grader and a freshman. During his first two years for the Hawks he is 58 of 147 at the plate for a sterling .394 average while slugging an even .500. He has 58 total hits, 51 runs scored 50 RBI, has walked 22 times and stolen 17 bases. He has spent most of his time defensively on the hot corner for the Hawks where he has been named All-River Valley Conference his first two seasons in the program including an Elite selection as a freshman.
On the mound, Grout has worked 27 innings in his career with 2-1 record. Opponents are hitting .194 against him. He has given up 20 hits, 16 earned runs, 26 walks and struck out 35 batters with a 4.37 career ERA and 1.69 WHIP. He spoke with KCII sports about the Iowa program and what it means to him to be a Hawkeye. “One day I was on a Zoom with Coach Heller and that’s when he gave me the offer. It just wasn’t something I could pass up. They liked how I can cover the plate with my bat, and I have the power they were looking for. They also liked how I could be a dominant arm on the mound, and how I can move my feet and my glove work in the field. We talked about the possibility of being a two-way player and continuing to work on both. They talked about how all of my tools can hang at the collegiate level. He (Heller) is so supportive and I know that he’s going to be awesome to play for. He’s really building a good program right now and I’m really excited to play with the guys that he’s recruiting. I’ve always wanted to be a Hawkeye. It’s crazy because I never really was certain that I could make it happen but I always believed in myself. My friends and family all believed in me too. I just can’t wait to be a part of that Hawkeye family.”
Grout was part of Mid-Prairie’s 2020 River Valley Conference Championship and State Quarterfinal team. He is a member of the class of 2024. Grout and the Hawks begin their new season on May 17th at Muscatine.