Zeeland pitcher Jeff Agar moves to Michigan State
ZEELAND – Jeff Agar has an ugly scar on his left elbow that reminds him of the long road he has taken.
The Zeeland native had to undergo two Tommy John surgeries and eventually became a Big Ten athlete.
Agar, a left-handed pitcher, has committed to transfer from Lansing Community College to Michigan State University to play baseball.
“I emailed their recruiting coordinator,” Agar said. “He responded right away and we talked on the phone. I don’t know if they just needed a left-handed player, but it just worked out perfectly for both of us. Michigan State was my dream school.”
Agar graduated from Zeeland East High School, where he had a successful career, before attending Lake Michigan College.
But things were over before they had begun.
“I tore my UCL at Lake Michigan and had to have Tommy John surgery my first time there,” Agar said. “I felt a pop while warming up in the bullpen, which is never good. When I went on the mound, my speed was not good, I had no control and I could barely feel my hand. I didn’t know it was torn until the next day.”
But he didn’t stay at Lake Michigan College long.
“The coach left, so I transferred and went to Lansing Community College,” Agar said. “The coach there (Steven Cutter) helped me a lot mentally and I gained a new perspective on things. I ended up needing another Tommy John surgery on the UCL. I came back stronger mentally and physically. It really helped me to transfer to a four-year college.”
Last season, he was finally back to his old self. As a bullpen player, Agar had an ERA of 3.18 in 11.1 innings pitched.
It was enough that Indiana State University showed interest.
“They saw me on Twitter,” Agar said of a video highlight he posted. “I was four months post-surgery (the second time) and throwing 87 mph. That’s pretty unheard of for that schedule. So their coach reached out to me. They were the first to believe in me. But when there was a coaching change, there was just too much uncertainty, so I looked at other options.”
With the season over, Agar had to take a less traditional approach. He had to sell himself to MSU.
“I sent them a lot of videos,” Agar said. “That’s really it. Recruiting is crazy these days. (Colleges) don’t always have time to go out and see you. Sometimes they just have to take a chance. Their coach (Jake Boss) called me on Wednesday and said they had a spot (for me). I said, ‘Yeah, I want nothing more. I’ll take it.'”
Agar, who is 1.90 m tall and weighs 90 kg, has two years of eligibility to play.
Agar, the son of John and Jennifer Agar, has been a Michigan State fan since childhood.
“My mom went to Michigan State,” he said, “so I grew up with Michigan State stuff in the house.”
How does it feel now to wear a shirt with the MSU logo?
“It feels incredible,” Agar said. “It really is. It’s hard to describe how I feel when I put that Spartan logo on. I love it.”
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