Cumberland County Jets sophomore Eli Glup is aiming to earn All-District honors this season as a reward for the extensive work he put into his game during the off-season.
Glup said he primarily contributes to the team as a catcher and a pitcher. Glup said he previously played as a switch hitter but now focuses almost exclusively on hitting from the right side of the plate.
“It’d be a pretty big thing for me,” Glup said. “I feel like it would be a good reward for the work I put in the off-season.”
Glup said his off-season training focused heavily on improving his hitting after struggling at the plate last year. Glup said the time spent in the batting cage has resulted in more consistency, more balls put in play, and fewer strikeouts.
“Not just stats, but I feel like I’ve had more consistency, just more hard-hit balls and more balls put in play, less strikeouts and such,” Glup said. “Just overall and more confidence at the plate, I think as well. Just knowing that I’m prepared.”
Glup said his approach at the plate changes depending on the count, shifting from trying to do damage early to shortening his swing with two strikes. Glup said he prioritizes putting the ball in play to move runners and help the team once he is deep in the count.
“I think with 0-0, I just try and do as much damage as I can, and then whenever I get one to two strikes, I try and kind of shorten up and just kind of slap the ball and put it in play just make sure I don’t strike out and then I can do it to move a runner or help the team out,” Glup said.
Glup said he maintains a diverse pitching repertoire that includes a fastball, slider, curveball, splitter, and an occasional cutter. Glup said he believes the effectiveness of his pitches relies on his ability to tunnel each one off the pitch thrown previously.
“Probably splitter just because I’ve had the most success on it and I feel like location’s pretty consistent with it,” Glup said. “Honestly just anything to get an out.”
Glup said he views his dual role as a pitcher and catcher as a significant leadership responsibility that requires him to manage the field and carry himself with a high level of professionalism. Glup said he believes the current Jets roster possesses a high level of talent and potential.
“I feel like we have a lot of talent this year,” Glup said. “I feel like there’s a lot of potential and I feel like we could be a really, really good team if we all just put our minds to it and buy in.”
Glup said achieving his goal of making the All-District team would provide a foundation for his remaining two years of high school baseball.
“Just it’d give me something to build off of, you know, just like an accomplishment that I can build off of and I don’t know, just sky’s the limit, you know?” Glup said.
Glup said he models his consistency after New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole.
