Plano's Jason Phillips pulls double duty as shortstop and pitcher. His all-star approach? ‘Work two times harder.'

Chicago Tribune

11-07-2025

Uncommitted heading into his senior year, Plano's Jason Phillips knows he has to work extra hard to get his name out there.
Playing at a smaller high school presents some challenges in that regard, but the shortstop/pitcher is doing his best to increase his visibility this summer.
Playing in the Double Duty Classic at the Chicago White Sox's Rate Field was a step in that direction.
'Really all you need is an opportunity,' Phillips said. 'If you perform out there, that opens the way to plenty more opportunities. I think events like this definitely help.
'I love where I'm from. I just have to work two times harder.'
Phillips impressed both on the mound and with a sharp single at the plate. Walking into a professional stadium for the first time as a player left a profound impact on Phillips.
'I've never played on a field like this before,' Phillips said. 'Just walking into the dugout was surreal. Walking into the clubhouse and seeing your name on the plate, putting on the jersey, it was surreal.'
The nature of the event itself, which was being hosted to honor the old East-West Negro League games that were held at Comiskey Park, also wasn't lost on Phillips.
The game was filled with Black players, which resonates with Phillips. Look no further than the number he wears for the Reapers, the same one made famous by Jackie Robinson.
'Having that experience is important to him,' said former Plano coach Nate Hill, who is taking over as the Reapers' athletic director this year. 'He's sporting No. 42 for us, so it's definitely something he doesn't take lightly.'
Perhaps more importantly, there were dozens of college coaches and professional scouts on hand at Rate Field as well. He's still patiently trying to find a college destination.
'I'm just trying to go out there and have fun,' Phillips said. 'When I play my best, hopefully somebody sees that and that's where I end up. I try not to put too much pressure on myself.'
What the scouts are seeing is a transformed player. Already a fearsome hitter at 6-foot-1, 226 pounds, Phillips took a massive jump this season with his athleticism.
The statistic that stands out, however, is a program-record seven triples. He never hit a triple in his career before this season.
'Becoming a full player is going to pay off for him,' Hill said. 'He dropped over 30 pounds, and it really showed this spring. He was super athletic. His bat spoke for himself.
'He played shortstop for us, and he played a fantastic shortstop.'
Oswego's Kamrin Jenkins is one of Phillips' closest friends. They're also travel teammates at Top Tier West, and Jenkins was Phillips' teammate at the Double Duty Classic.
Jenkins has seen Phillips' transformation firsthand.
'He's like my brother,' Jenkins said. 'This past year and a half has been crucial for him. He was in the weight room. He was telling me how he was doing cardio and eating better.
'He looks like a real ballplayer now.'
Hill hopes all of that translates to an opportunity for Phillips to play at a high level in college.
'He wants to put himself on the map,' Hill said. 'When I met with him coming into his freshman year, this was the ideal path and track that he and his family were on.
'Being able to see him step into that is huge. To be back-to-back all-state is huge. The success he's had has spoken for itself.'
That support is another crucial part of Phillips' development.
'Sometimes, confidence can be a thing you struggle with, definitely with me too,' Phillips said. 'Being around people that believe in me and believe that I can do good things means a lot.'