WELLMAN

Way back in 2022 Karson Grout, as a sophomore, began the year by announcing his verbal commitment to the University of Iowa baseball program and now, as a senior, he makes his commitment officially official.

On Nov. 8, the first day of the 2023-24 national signing period, Grout fulfilled a long-standing promise and signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball as a Hawkeye after graduation. 

Grout’s signing event took place early in the morning at the Mid-Prairie High School library and the venue was jam-packed with friends, family, teammates, classmates, and coaches. 

“Very proud of Karson and him signing to Iowa, will be a great fit for him,” Mid-Prairie head baseball coach Kyle Mullet said. “He has the ability and the mindset to accomplish his dreams.”

Grout, who began playing baseball for Mid-Prairie as an eighth grader, has seen his fair share of individual and team success.

With Grout on the roster Mid-Prairie has qualified for the state tournament twice and won three conference championships. 

“Karson has been a huge part of our program’s success,” Mullet said about Grout’s impact on the baseball program. 

“Starting in 2020 when Mid-Prairie made it back to state, Karson was a starting third baseman on that team as an 8th grader. He has made an impact since then because of his skills but more importantly the mindset and leadership that he brings to his team and teammates.”

A dynamic and dominant player, Grout ended his most recent season of baseball earning all-conference, all-district, and all-state honors. Taking a step back and looking at his high school career as a whole, in addition to his all-state selection he has earned three all-conference and three all-district distinctions.  

As an eighth grader Grout put up modest numbers. Playing in 18 games he recorded 17 hits, 17 RBIs, and 20 runs, but his freshman year served as a breakout season. 

In his second year as a Golden Hawk, he tallied 41 hits, 33 RBIs, and 31 runs while averaging .432 at the plate. Seeing more playing time on the mound he pitched in eight games and struck out 31 batters with an ERA of 4.08. 

After putting up these impressive numbers and showing a great aptitude for the game as a freshman, Grout was ranked the No. 4 prospect in the state of Iowa for the class of 2024. 

“Our success and Karson’s success has helped our youth get excited about playing baseball and get excited about being a Golden Hawk,” Mullet said.

“It has impacted the community and helped accelerate Mid-Prairie baseball back to being well respected and one of the top programs in class 2A. Karson may not understand that or see it now, but I hope he can look back one day and see that and be proud.”

Not resting on his laurels, Grout continues to work hard to elevate his level of play. This is evident by the multiple career highs he set as a junior.

Grout did not pitch in his junior year, suffering an arm injury while pitching at the tail-end of his sophomore season, but he still proved to be quite effective when up to bat. 

He set career highs in hits (48), runs (34), home runs (4), and RBIs (37). He also proved to be a proficient baserunner, stealing 20 bases on 20 attempts. 

It has been an outstanding high school career for Grout, and he can further add to his high school legacy with his senior year still waiting to be played. 

Grout is joining a Hawkeye baseball program led by head coach Rick Heller and while attending the university he plans to study Enterprise Leadership.

“With his signing to Iowa I hope other players and youth can understand that if you work for something hard enough, be a true competitor and have the real mindset of working and achieving your dreams that it can be done,” Mullet said. “Karson is doing that, and I believe it’s just the beginning.”