Q&A With Kirkwood CC Commit: '16 Cal Stalzer- W. Des Moines Valley

January 8, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

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Name: Cal Stalzer
Position: SS/RHP
Class: 2016
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds
High School: W. Des Moines Valley
PBR Rank: #22 in IA 2016 Class

Evaluation: 5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 6.87 runner. One of better 2-way players in state. Slightly open to start. Strides across with front heel turn trigger. Shows good approach at plate and uses whole field. Hard contact middle/away with consistent solid contact. 84 mph exit velocity. Fields low to ground and through baseball. Above avg. exchanges and release. Above avg. hands. Throws show very good accuracy and carry to bag at 85 mph. Quick twitch actions on mound. Pounds zone with 3 pitches for strikes. Fastball shows above avg. life with cutting action to glove side at 83-86 mph. Slider has tight rotation with late break/depth. Good fade on changeup thrown with plus arm speed.

PBR: Why did you choose Kirkwood CC?
STALZER: I chose Kirkwood because they started recruiting me early. I felt comfortable with the coaches and the other kids that are in the recruiting class with me.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
STALZER: Southeastern CC, Iowa Central CC, and Iowa Lakes CC.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
STALZER: They first saw me at the PBR showcase at the University of Iowa. We built a relationship during the fall with them keeping up with the fall tournaments I was playing in.

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school?
STALZER: I felt relieved once it actually started. I enjoyed the process of getting recruited, at the same time I am very excited to just play my senior year and not worry about trying to impress coaches that might be in the stands.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
STALZER: Knowing who I was going to Kirkwood with, some teammates from my fall team and especially getting Peyton Long to go with me really made it a no-brainer.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
STALZER: My father has taught me everything I know today about baseball and I wouldn't be who I am today without him.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?
STALZER: I didn't know what to expect from the recruiting process. I thought it was generally easy except for making up the school I missed for visits.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?
STALZER: I'm not completely sure what I'm going to do right away between pitching or playing infield, but I'm ready to do whatever is asked of me.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
STALZER: Playing a tournament at the Ripken Experience complex in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?
STALZER: Joey Polak, a South Carolina commit. I think he is the best hitter I have ever faced.