_T.J. Sikkema is a left-handed pitcher from DeWitt, Iowa. He is committed to play baseball at Missouri next year. In the 2015 high school season, Sikkema went 7–1 with 107 strikeouts and a 0.35 earned run average._

**The Maneater**: Tell me about what stood out about Mizzou in the recruiting process.
**T.J. Sikkema**: A big thing was obviously the [Southeastern Conference]. The conference that they’re playing in is just one of the best conferences in college baseball. Also, the coaching staff and the way the players were around the field and around the workout facilities, I just like how it felt like a nice place, just like home. It felt like it was a good fit.

**ME**: Are there any players in particular you are looking forward to working with?
**TS**: They’re all guys that I’d really love to work with. Maybe [Tanner] Houck. He’s pretty exciting to watch pitch on TV, and just getting to maybe talk to him a little bit, that would be interesting … All the guys I’m sure are just amazing and have lots of things to learn from. I really just can’t wait to get down there and talk to them.

**ME**: As a pitcher, how much did having a guy like Houck at Mizzou help you decide to go there?
**TS**: Honestly, that was really big. The record that Mizzou has with getting pitchers to the MLB with [Max] Scherzer and a few guys from the past, they have a great track record. I don’t think it’s getting any worse — it’s probably getting better with Houck and [Reggie] McClain.

**ME**: What has your velocity been at lately?
**TS**: High 80s.

**ME**: Do you have a goal for your role next year?
**TS**: I want to be competitive, obviously. I’ll take any role that they’ll give me. I’d like to start out as a starter, that would be my goal … but if they need me in the bullpen, I’ll go there. I’ll do pretty much whatever they need.

**ME**: When will you be moving to Columbia?
**TS**: I was informed that my first classes start June 6. Not positive when I’ll be moving down there, but I have to be down there before June 4, for sure.

**ME**: Is there anything you’d like to add?
**TS**: I’m just really looking forward to getting down there and getting acclimated to everything that’s going to be going on. College is a big step, so I’m just excited to keep moving on. My goal has been to get to the next level, and now that I’m there I just can’t stop. I’ve got to keep getting better.