Catching up with: Jason Van Meetren

Thursday, April 5, 2001 | 11:34 a.m.

JASON VAN MEETREN

High School: Bishop Gorman ('98)

Where is he now: Stanford

Class: Junior

Sport: Baseball

Currently: After missing most of his freshman campaign with an elbow injury and playing in 23 games last year, Van Meetren has emerged as a force for the No. 1 ranked Cardinal in 2001. The former Gael has started 29 games in left field for 24-6 Stanford, batting third in the club's lineup. Van Meetren ranks first on his team in doubles (10), second in homers (five) and RBIs (23) and fourth among starters with a .325 batting average.

Looking back: Dominating both as a pitcher and hitter during his prep career, Van Meetren earned a spot on the Sun's 1998 all-state first team and was selected Gatorade's Nevada Player of the Year after a senior season that saw him bat .545 with nine homers and 47 RBIs and compile a 9-1 record with a 1.88 ERA on the mound. He was drafted by the Astros in the fourth round, but opted to pass up pro baseball to play for Pac-10 power Stanford.

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