Eric Jeon is fulfilling a dream by playing baseball at Stanford 

This summer, Stanford baseball picked up a commitment from Columbia transfer infielder Eric Jeon, who comes in with three years of eligibility remaining. Jeon caught up with CardinalSportsReport.com about his commitment and what he hopes to bring to The Farm. 

Growing up in Fullerton, California, Jeon has always dreamed of playing baseball at Stanford. As soon as the opportunity arose for him to come to Stanford after entering the transfer portal, he knew where he wanted to continue his baseball career. 

“I chose Stanford because it has been my dream school since I was a kid,” Jeon explained. “I wanted to play in a conference like the ACC and play for a prestigious institution like Stanford. Palo Alto is a beautiful place to go to school at. I loved the coaching staff over the phone and on my visit. They were super welcoming and felt like home. 

“Coach Steve Rodriguez was a huge part of my decision and I really liked what he did with his hitters and the track record shows that he develops elite hitters. Having a conversation with Coach Esquer also made me want to come be a part of this team. He was really confident in what we had coming back and I wanted to have a key role and contribute to their success. 

“I want to compete for a national championship and they have been in the College World Series three out of the past seven years. Another important factor for me was my family being able to watch me play with me being from Fullerton, California. It is not that long of a drive so my parents can come and support whether it’s at Sunken Diamond or a road game in California. I also can’t wait to play against my brother when we play Cal.” 

Jeon has batted .318 for his college career so far, hitting five home runs and driving in 34 RBIs. The combination of his steady bat and ability to play multiple spots in the infield is something that Stanford is excited about as they look ahead to next season. 

“The coaches at Stanford are looking for me to step up and provide them with experience in the infield,” Jeon said. “They loved my versatility and ability to play multiple positions on the diamond. I am a player that will bring energy to the field and display my passion for the game. They were looking for a profile that could help not only on the field but also in the clubhouse. I am looking forward to being a huge contributor wherever it may be in the infield but also help the team gel together and create a strong team chemistry.” 

That being said, Jeon does have a preference of where he’d like to play. He has tons of experience at short stop and is comfortable playing at that spot. If it all works out, that’s where he’ll spend most of his time, though he is willing to play whatever position is asked of him. 

“I am most comfortable with being a shortstop,” Jeon affirmed. “That has been my position since when I started baseball. If the coaches need me to play other positions for the benefit of the team, I will. But if I had to choose a spot I wanted to play for Stanford, it would be shortstop.” 

Regarding his bat, Jeon hopes to continue to improve on that side of his game. He prides himself on being a relentless hitter that stays patient at the plate and makes the right reads. He is working hard this summer playing in the Northwoods League. 

“I pride myself in being a relentless hitter that is going to see a lot of pitches, get on base often, and work gap to gap,” Jeon said. “I want to impact the ball more and make sure that I am swinging at good pitches so that I can do damage. I want to be a hitter that other teams need to circle or note that they need to be careful because if they make a mistake, I am going to pay. I am working on all aspects whether it’s my defense, base running, or offense so that when I step foot on campus, I am ready to go and make an impact. I am currently playing for the Green Bay Rockers in the Northwoods League.” 

Touching more on the ACC, Jeon is thrilled to know he’ll be playing against some of the best teams and players in the country. He can’t wait to expand his game and test himself against a higher level of competition.

“It’s super exciting knowing that I will play really good competition every single day. I’m sure it’ll elevate my game and I am looking forward to taking on the challenge,” Jeon said. “I want to prove myself and people that I can not only keep up but play at a high level in the ACC.” 

A major factor in Jeon’s decision was the chance to play under head coach David Esquer. Jeon has heard nothing but good things about the kind of coach and man that Esquer is. He can’t wait to get to work under his leadership. 

“I have heard nothing but good things about Coach Esquer. His ability to lead a group of men is what I respect and value,” Jeon said. “He knows how to get to the College World Series but most importantly, how to get the most out of his players. His track record shows that winning is evident. I love how he is able to keep a competitive and loose environment. On my visit, I heard music blasting from the speakers at the field and was wondering if they had a camp or if it was a couple of the guys working out but it was Coach Esquer just jamming out listening to his playlist. He is awesome and really cares about the character of his team. He is a Stanford legend and I am looking forward to playing for him.”

With respect to the academic side, Jeon is looking forward to getting a degree from Stanford. Coming from an Ivy League school in Columbia, he is well aware of the level that is expected of him to hold his own in the classroom. He loves the entire vibe of Stanford and is looking forward to being a member of the community. 

“I am planning on studying Economics. I was a Financial Economics major at Columbia University so I plan on staying that track,” Jeon said. “I love the campus at Stanford. It is rich in history and it is beautiful. The palm trees give off a California vibe and make me feel at home. California is the best place to live, with the sun always shining. The campus is calm and relaxing and with it being in Silicon Valley, the connections that come with being a student athlete at Stanford are unmatched. I know that the alumni base as well as the student body is very strong and well-respected and I am looking forward to being a part of this community.” 

All around, Eric Jeon appears to be a good fit with Stanford’s baseball program. He gives them versatility in the infield and at the plate while also checking off all the boxes on the academic front. It’ll be fun to see what he brings to Sunken Diamond and how he grows his game in the coming seasons. 

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