| Michael De Groot |
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| General: A rookie that may be used in situations as a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen to face left-handed hitters • Has an opportunity to be used more extensively as he gains collegiate experience. |
High School: A 2007 graduate of Castro Valley High School, where he was a teammate of fellow Stanford player Jason Castro • Tabbed a 2006 Northern California All-Star by the California Baseball Coaches' Association • Was named 2007 Second Team All-Hayward Area Athletic League (HAAL) when he was 4-4 with a 2.43 ERA as a senior • Earned 2005 All-HAAL honorable mention honors after posting a 6-2 mark and 2.23 ERA on the hill • Served as captain of his school's team during his junior and senior seasons • Led his team to two CIF North Coast Section playoff appearances (2005, '06) • Graduated with highest honors • A member of the National Society of High School Scholars • Was an AP Scholar and lifetime member of the California Scholarship Federation • Voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by his high school class • Served as student body treasurer during his senior year and class vice president during his freshman and sophomore years • Coached by Jon Lavine.
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| Other Amateur Baseball: Played with the Castro Valley Thunder Sox during the summer of 2007, where he helped the team to the Babe Ruth Northern California title • Also played during the summers of 2006 and 2007 with the California Smoke • Participated in the Bay Area World Series III in 2006.
MLB First-Year Player Draft: Has never been drafted.
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Getting To Know Michael De Groot
Parents: Anthony and Wendy De Groot
Major: Undeclared but contemplating majoring in Electrical Engineering
Head Start On His Career: Michael was a summer scholar in Engineering at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the summers of 2006 and 2007
Ambidextrous: Michael throws left-handed but writes with right-handed
The reason I love baseball is: The competition
I pattern my game after: Kenny Rogers
Greatest Athletic Moment: Throwing a complete game victory my senior year to beat our archrival for the first time in three seasons
The biggest thrill of my life to date is: Being admitted to Stanford
The teammate I admire most is: Jason Castro
The reason I chose Stanford is: Its outstanding combination of academics and athletics
Since coming to Stanford, I have learned: How to ride a bike again
What sets Stanford Baseball apart from other collegiate baseball programs is: The competitive and hard-working environment
The person I admire most is: My mom
If a movie were made of my life, the actor that would play me is: Matt Damon
My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be: Throwing a complete game shutout to win the College World Series
After my Stanford career, I would like to be remembered as: Having a great work ethic and being an outstanding teammate
Favorite Pro Sports Team: Boston Red Sox
Best Advice Received: In order to give yourself the best chance of being struck by lightning, you have to be willing to stand out in the rain longer than anyone else
Advice To Youngsters: Believe in yourself
Favorite Moment in Sports History: The final out of the 2004 World Series when the Boston Red Sox clinched their first championship in 86 years
Most Prized Possession: A glove given to me by my childhood coach
Cardinal Connections: Former Stanford pitcher Mario Iglesias ('96) has been Michael's pitching coach since he was 11 years old
Did You Know: Michael worked as a student coach at the Stanford Baseball camp for two summers (2004, '05)
The Stanford Baseball team will be fun to watch this year because: We have great team chemistry and play with passion
When I played sports as a kid, I pretended to be: Tom Glavine
My parents were right when they told me: To work hard and never give up
Favorite Midnight Snack: An apple
Earliest Baseball Memory: Playing catch with his dad |
Last Updated: May 17, 2008
