Standing at an impressive 6-foot-7, Pasco High senior Jayce Rollins possesses an uncommon physical stature for a high school baseball team. This unique attribute has served him exceptionally well on the pitching mound for the Pirates as he aims to conclude a remarkable prep career this spring. However, his baseball journey does not end here.

Signing with Florida Southern College

On Tuesday, Rollins made a significant decision by signing to play with Division II Florida Southern College next year. This allows him to make a relatively short move from Dade City to Lakeland. "It's always been a dream of mine, and not many high school athletes get the opportunity to sign. So, I feel it's a big deal, and I'm excited about what lies ahead," Rollins expressed. "The college has excellent academics and a highly competitive baseball team. I didn't want to go too far from home, and it seems to be a perfect fit."

Baseball Achievements at Pasco High

Last season, the bump on the mound was a great place for Rollins. He went 5-1 with a remarkable 2.33 ERA. In 36 innings, the right-hander struck out an astonishing 61 batters and held opponents to a mere.164 batting average. "He really flourished over the past year or so," stated Pasco head coach Ricky Giles. "Being 6-7, he has learned to control his body. He throws the ball at around 86-87 mph and can even reach 88 mph. Given his potential, if he enters a proper pitching program like the one at Florida Southern, he could quickly reach the 90s. He's just one of those exceptional talents who does a great job."Rollins also had his finest season at the plate as a junior. He hit an impressive.406 over 64 at-bats in 24 games, tallying four doubles, two home runs, 19 runs scored, and 25 RBI. He mainly played first base when not on the mound.

Florida Southern College's Baseball History

Florida Southern College has a rich baseball history. The Moccasins have won nine national championships, with the most recent one in 2005, and 17 Sunshine State Conference titles. However, the team had a rare losing season last spring, going 18-30. They have a new head coach, Rick O'Dette, who spent the past seven years guiding the St. Leo program just up the road from Pasco High. Pasco has a history of sending baseball players to Florida Southern due to the proximity. O'Dette's resume includes 32 players who have gone on to play professionally.

Pitching as His Trademark

Pitching is Rollins' trademark. He has been involved in baseball since he was 6 years old. He has not faced the common mechanical issues often seen among taller pitchers, which highlights his accuracy and strike-throwing abilities. "I've always been a taller kid. I did go through a couple of growth spurts where things had to change, but I've been quite accurate with my pitching," Rollins explained.He also enjoys hitting and playing the field and will have more opportunities to do so with the Pirates this spring. "I think I'm going to continue to improve my velocity," Rollins said. "I'm really excited about the jump I'll make once I get to college and can work with the coaches on strength and conditioning. I believe I'll see another significant increase."This season, Rollins hopes to give his team the best chance to win every time he takes the mound. Even when he's not pitching, he wants to contribute by being in the lineup or on the field and help the team achieve as many wins as possible.The long-term goal is to eventually get drafted and have a successful career at the professional level. "From the beginning, I saw him as a Division I prospect because even then, I thought he had the potential to reach that level. Now, being at his current level, it's just as good. Florida Southern plays against strong teams like UT and Barry in Miami. He'll get to face some of the best athletes and ballplayers in the state," Giles said.Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all the latest high school baseball news. To get live updates on your phone and follow your favorite teams and top games, you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App.