Mid-Prairie’s Grout chooses Iowa

WELLMAN — Mid-Prairie’s Karson Grout has two more years of high school left, and he’s already peaked the interest of Division I coaches on the baseball field.

So much so, that Grout has announced his commitment to the University of Iowa to play baseball.

Grout made the announcement last week on social media.

In his freshman season, Grout showed out.

While leading the team in at-bats with 95, Grout averaged .432 at the plate. Over the course of the season he racked up 41 hits, 10 doubles, 33 RBIs, 31 runs and sported a .500 on base percentage. That’s just on the batting side of things.

On the mound, Grout put in 24.0 innings with and ERA of 4.08. He struck out 31 while walking 24 last season. He was tough to deal with at the plate, as opposing batters had just a .189 average when facing him.

According to Perfect Game, Grout is the No. 44 middle infielder prospect and the No. 174 overall prospect in the county. He is the No. 4 ranked prospect in the state of Iowa for the class of 2024.

Grout will be joining a successful baseball program in the Hawkeyes, led by head coach Rick Heller.

Last season, Iowa finished the year 26-18. Since Heller took the helm in 2014, the Hawkeyes have won over 30 games every season, with the exception being a COVID-19 shortening season, 10-5, and the Big Ten-only schedule this past season.