Puyallup’s Mason Pike is The News Tribune’s 2024 All-Area baseball player of the year
One by one in the Class 4A state tournament semifinal baseball game against Bothell, Mason Pike mowed down opposing hitters.
High-90s fastball. Nasty slider. Swings and misses, hitters hopelessly chasing balls off the plate, strike threes looking. Rinse, repeat.
He carried a perfect game into the sixth inning, finishing with a complete game shutout to send Puyallup to the 4A state championship game in Pasco the following day.
It was a scintillating performance from the quickly-rising national recruit, one that cemented his reputation as one of the state’s most feared pitchers.
Pike, a junior Oregon State commit who is considered the No. 2 prospect in the state in his class by Baseball Northwest, was brilliant all season for Puyallup. He was named the 4A SPSL MVP and in 66 2/3 innings pitched, compiled a 10-0 record with 95 strikeouts, 20 walks and a 0.95 earned run average.
In games against teams in Washington, Pike surrendered just three total runs and two earned runs. At the plate, he hit .410 with five doubles, a triple, two home runs and 18 RBI. He is The News Tribune’s 2024 All-Area player of the year.
“Just thinking about it, it might have been the best year I’ve seen in 29 years (of coaching),” said Puyallup coach Marc Wiese.
Pike’s sophomore-to-junior year growth came mostly on the mound. He worked on becoming a more complete pitcher, working tirelessly on his offspeed pitches in the offseason and developing a devastating slider to complement his mid-to-high 90s fastball.
“I just worked really hard to better myself, better my game and it just worked out,” Pike told The News Tribune earlier this week during a workout in Puyallup. “Last year, I had maybe a curveball that would work every once in a while. But this year, I just worked on my offspeeds, developed a better slider, changeup, then being able to locate my curveball.”
The season highlight came in the game against Bothell. Nearly perfect, Pike’s final line: 7 innings, one hit, one walk, no runs, 12 strikeouts.
“It was amazing,” he said. “This is what I wanted to do. I came ready, prepared and just did what I had to do.”
Wiese wasn’t surprised to see the dominant outing from his ace.
“The way he pitched in the semifinals was the way he pitched every game,” he said. “I think Mason decided to be a pitcher this year and not just an offensive player and shortstop. He knows his abilities are and he worked on those things.”
Rogers was one of the lucky teams to find a run against Pike, piecing together five hits and scoring on an error after a bunt in a game in early April. Puyallup won the game, 2-1. Rogers coach Matt Whitehead came away impressed — and isn’t looking forward to facing Pike for another season.
“He attacks the zone,” Whitehead said “His velocity, he has those secondary pitches. His slider makes it almost impossible. It’s tough to hit. You have to pick a pitch. His fastball can be overpowering and he has presence, command on the mound.”
Whitehead said he sees a future big-leaguer in Pike.
“Every year, he’s gotten a little better,” he said. “He’s got the physical abilities, obviously.”
The spotlight has grown for Pike, with dozens of Major League Baseball scouts watching his games at various tournaments these days. He’ll have a busy summer, traveling to North Carolina this weekend for a tournament, then Georgia and Arizona for others. He’s hopeful he’ll make the 18U USA National Team, as well.
Pike said he tries to not focus too much on the growing attention on him.
“I just try to focus on the game and just do what I do,” he said. “I don’t try to focus on all the accolades and everything going around.”
He’s looking forward to his senior season at Puyallup, mostly because he’ll have the opportunity to play with his little brother, Madden John Pike — yes, that is his first and middle name — who is an incoming freshman for Puyallup. The younger Pike is already touching 88-89 miles per hour on his fastball.
“I’m excited to play with him, have another arm,” Mason said.
“I’ve known the Pikes for such a long time,” added Wiese. “It’s gonna be a joy for the family to wear the ‘P,’ go out and compete.”
