How Jaxton Schroeder has evolved into a difference-maker for Iowa City High baseball

Jaxton Schroeder was in Florida nearly two years ago when he first considered transferring from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City.

Schroeder and the rest of the Iowa Select team made the trip to the Sunshine State to compete in an annual baseball tournament.

During some downtime, he exchanged jokes with the Hicks family of Iowa City, including head coach Troy and his son Owen. Schroeder was no stranger to the family, having competed against them in the past before eventually joining them on the same team.

“We kind of started it as a joke like, ‘Oh, Jaxton is going to move to Iowa City High; you can come live with us,'” Schroeder said.

The joke later made Schroeder seriously consider relocating to Iowa City. The thought of competing for City High baseball was intriguing, especially considering the program's history of development and its winning culture.

"I think his mom mentioned, if I remember right, that 'This is something we're considering; we want the best baseball environment for him,' and it was their belief that City High provided that," Troy Hicks said. "It was also my belief with the coaching, the youth programs, all the training opportunities that we have were phenomenal, so I think the talks got a little more serious."

Schroeder and his family jumped at the opportunity.

A few months later he moved to Iowa City, where he stayed with the Hicks family for three months while his mom, JoliAnn Schroeder, made her own arrangements to relocate.

“I think it was the right thing for me to come down here because City High competes at a high level,” Jaxton Schroeder said. “It’s just always been a great place of development and a great culture and that’s what I want to be around. I want to develop and work with the best so I can be the best.”

Jaxton Schroeder, now a City High junior, was vital in the Little Hawks' win over Iowa City West in last week's substate finals, tallying five strikeouts in 2 1/3 scoreless innings. The victory secured City High's fourth state tournament appearance in five years.

Jaxton Schroeder, all 6-foot-5 of him, has been built differently this season. Through 40 games, he’s tied for the team lead in hits (38) and home runs (two) while also earning a team-high 29 runs and hitting .392/.542/.629.

He's a key reason the Little Hawks (33-7) secured the third seed in this week's Class 4A state tournament. They'll face sixth-seeded Waukee (26-16) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the quarterfinals in Cedar Rapids.

More: Here are 10 of the top baseball players at the 2024 Iowa high school state tournament

Baseball and family

Once Jaxton Schroeder moved from Cedar Rapids, he built a routine: weekend commutes to visit his mom and 5 AM wake-up calls in Iowa City during the week to train.

But even with a set routine and newfound support from friends, it was still a difficult transition.

His sophomore season wasn’t what he envisioned. Jaxton Schroeder was limited to 23 runs, 22 hits and 12 RBIs, with a 0-3 pitching record.

Jaxton Schroeder doesn't settle for anything other than his absolute best. So, he went back to the lab and created a better, more polished version of himself this past offseason—both physically and mentally.

“I had really big expectations set for myself (last season), and it really just didn’t really pan out like I wanted to,” Jaxton Schroeder said. “I can think of conversations that I had with coaches and them just acknowledging the work that I put in and... having the confidence of the people around me have really helped a lot."

More: Iowa high school state baseball tournament: Scores, bracket updates

Finding success on the basepaths and on the mound

Known for his tall physique, Jaxton Schroeder has excelled on the basepaths in 2024, setting a single-season City High steals record with 34.

His unique command of the basepaths is something Jaxton Schroeder takes pride in.

"That was something I wanted to do, and I did it and it was special," Jaxton Schroeder said. "I love running the bases; I'm a big guy. I've never been the fastest but that's something I've always been able to pick up on and do, just like steal extra bags."

When he's not stealing bases, he's either at first base or on the mound, where he's earned a 6-1 pitching record with a team-high 48 strikeouts.

Jaxton Schroeder has certainly embraced the role of team ace.

City High coach Brian Mitchell said Jaxton Schroeder's range, wingspan, and footwork create a comfort level for the other infielders.

“What he brings to the table is a unique left-handed arm, a unique left-handed bat and a unique first baseman that you just don’t see,” Mitchell said. “You don’t see many left-handers throwing 87, 88-plus command. The range at first base; he’s got real pop in the bat, and I think he’ll just continue to get better and better.”

More: How to watch, buy tickets for 2024 Iowa high school state baseball tournament

A family bond

Committed to the grind, Jaxton Schroeder has elevated his game with his mom, JoliAnn Schroeder, by his side. Whether it’s helping him at City High's batting facility or sharing advice, their special connection makes a difference.

"She's just been the greatest hitting coach I've ever had in my life...she doesn't even have a baseball background, but she just understands me as a person and a baseball player," Jaxton Schroeder said. "Really just her knowing me has given her the ability to really nitpick the things that I do and develop me on a different level than anybody has been able to do."

Jaxson Schroeder anchors a pitching staff that is statistically one of the best in 4A, boasting a combined ERA of 1.81 while holding opponents to the fifth-lowest average at .197. They've also struck out 273 batters, the 10th-most in 4A.

Now that Jaxton Schroeder has evolved into one of City High's top players in year two, he hopes Tuesday's quarterfinal matchup against Waukee kickstarts a run that ends with the school's first baseball championship.

Waukee also has a strong pitching staff, boasting a 2.54 ERA (6th in 4A) and a state-best .176 batting average against.

“I think we’ve worked harder than every other team in the state and I can say that confidently,” Schroeder said. “It’s what we worked for; we want to compete against the best, so I think we’re ready to come into the state tournament and show them what we got.”

Tuesday night's winner will face either second-seeded Dallas Center-Grimes (35-3) or No. 7 Dowling Catholic (23-15) in the state quarterfinals at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Class 4A state championship is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 23 at Kernels Veteran Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids.

More: Jake Mitchell's two-RBI single lifts City High past Iowa City West in substate finals

Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at MARay@gannett.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: How Jaxton Schroeder has evolved into a difference-maker for Iowa City High baseball