The running joke around the Marion baseball clubhouse is that right-hander Jett Sutton almost got cut as a freshman. “I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty bad,” said Sutton. But these days it's hard to imagine Marion baseball without the two-time all-conference performer, who last week signed to pitch for Arkansas State University. “It's such an exciting time right now,” said Sutton. “I'm really looking forward to working out and getting stronger when I get there. In high school, you get to where you're at the top of the totem pole, but when I get there I'll be at the bottom of the totem pole, and I have a lot of work left to do.” “I think ASU got a great one,” said Marion coach Pete Prater. “He's a high academic guy, high character guy who we love having around. The biggest thing for Jett is everything is in front of him. I get chills talking about it because you see where he started with us, a really skinny freshman kid, and I think if he sticks with it, he could be a guy who goes in the MLB draft. I really believe that.” Sutton wasn't one of the top prospects as a freshman, but his work ethic helped him climb the ranks during his varsity career. He played more as a sophomore before breaking out in 2022 for the 29-5 Class 5A state champions. Sutton split his time between the outfield and bullpen that spring, spinning 22.2 innings and striking out 30 batters while issuing only six walks and a single earned run to earn all-conference honors. Sutton started most games in 2023, including on the mound as a conference starter. The recent MHS graduate earned an all-league nod again this spring by twirling 30.1 innings and striking out 45 batters, issuing just 19 walks, and surrendering just seven earned runs. He was at his best in the bigger games, allowing just one hit and an unearned run in 4.1 innings against Greenwood in the state tournament's opening round. When he didn't pitch, Sutton held it down in centerfield as “our best defensive outfielder,” said Prater. “Good instincts out there, got a good jump a lot of the time. That's not what he's going to ASU for, but it's just an example of the progression that we've seen in him in four years. I couldn't be much prouder of him.” Sutton excelled in his high school career out of the bullpen and as a starting pitcher, but he will likely work out of the bullpen at ASU. “I like that because out of the bullpen, you don't really worry about pitch count or anything like that,” said Sutton. “I'm not trying to cover five innings or anything. It's an inning or two, I can throw as hard as I can and just focus on doing what it takes to get outs.” Sutton joins a pair of Marion baseball alums (Daedrick Cail and Chase Armstrong) in Jonesboro, where the Red Wolves finished 20-31 in 2023. Arkansas State capped the season with a three-game sweep of league rival South Alabama.