Testimonal Tuesday: Hogan Stallings

Article Date: 12/18/18
Graduation: 2020
Position: 1B

If performance is tied to the confidence in a player knowing exactly who they are and what they can do, then look for Hogan Stallings to be tearing it up as baseball season begins in the spring. After a conversation with the left-handed hitting first baseman from Wake Forest High School, the uncommitted 2020 grad makes it clear that he wants to use his 6’5” 250 lb frame to produce power numbers at the plate. In describing his approach with phrases like “looking for pitches I can drive” it becomes clear that a plan is in place.

That plan is also being backed up with work, as Hogan puts in time in multiple weekly sessions at Diamond Fit. Beyond strength training and speed work, he’s training to develop leverage in that swing with lessons. And despite the fact that he hasn’t  pitched in some time, he is also investing in velocity training to enhance his arm strength. If it sounds like all this effort is to improve his stock to make himself more attractive to college coaches, that’s only part of the reason. Hogan ultimately wants to help his team, hoping to aid the Wake Forest Cougars of head coach Mike Joyner to advance past their 2nd round exit from the 2018 play-offs.  

This self-improvement to aid the team extends to his views as a part of the Dirtbags.  After joining the organization in the summer of 2018, Hogan says the decision to make the move to be a Dirtbag was “a good fit” and knew it would “help with exposure” while playing with people that “have a like mindset.”  All this hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Dirtbags brass. In fact, GM Trey Daly calls Stallings a “really hard worker” and noted that he “made great strides in 2018.”

Hopefully all of this will produce fruit in the summer of 2019 as Hogan looks to get committed and “do all I can to (help) win it it all in Georgia.”  And playing with the Dirtbags is something else that Stallings seems to have a understanding of, citing that being a Dirtbag means being hard-nosed with a want to win.  The moment of recognition of playing with others of this same view was evident to him in Georgia last year at the WWBA vs. the Louisiana Knights; a game that he described as “heated and intense.”

Being a Dirtbag has allowed Hogan to dig deeper into the organization and get to know and appreciate the coaches he says.  After playing mainly with Bad Company in 2018, he was also able to play some with other teams in the organization and noticed an attractive trend.  Hogan said that the Dirtbag coaches are able to “balance fun and competing.” Well, one thing is certain Mr. Stallings knows what he’s looking for and knows what to do with it when he finds it.  That should spell bad news for opposing teams & pitchers in 2019 but good news for the Dirtbags & Hogan Stallings.