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Q and A with 2017 Illinois Commit: Ryan Kutt (Brother Rice HS)

September 11, 2014

By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Brother Rice High School on the South Side of Chicago is loaded with underclass prospects, highlighted Ryan Kuttby the No. 1 ranked player in Illinois' 2017 class Ryan Kutt.  Kutt is a RHP/SS who impressed on the mound at the PBR/Under Armour Future Games in late July/early August.  He flashed an 84-87 mph sinking fastball and a plus 75-77 mph slider that he can throw in any count.  Shortly after the Future Games, Kutt became the first 2017 prospect off the board in Illinois when he committed to the University of Illinois in Champaign.  Prep Baseball Report sat down with the 6-foot-1, 168-pound right-hander to see how the recruiting process unfolded, and what his goals are during his final three years of high school.

What were your expectations about the recruiting process?  Was it easy or difficult?    

I felt that the process went as I expected.  All of the college coaches that I talked to were very professional and made me feel comfortable at all times.  Choosing the college that was the right fit for me was hard as all of the universities had so much to offer.

Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision to choose Illinois?

Yes, distance played a factor in my decision.  My family is very close.  My dad has not missed a baseball game of mine since I started playing at 5 years old.  So, to have my parents and my extended family and friends a car ride away (Chicago to Champaign) to be able to come out and continue to support me and my college team meant a lot to me.  This factor did figure into my decision to choose a school in the Midwest.

Where did the college you chose first see you?  How did your relationship develop with them?

Honestly, I am not sure where they first saw me play as I try to focus on the game more than who is in the stands.

Who is the best player you have faced in your state and why?

As a hitter, Jake Latz from Lemont HS was the best pitcher I have ever faced.  He threw hard from the left side and his off-speed pitches were the best.

As a pitcher, Jake Shepski from St.Rita HS was the best hitter I’ve seen.  He could hit to all fields with power and ran really well.

At what point in your career did you realize you were an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

I have never considered myself an elite player, but just a teammate that has had an opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the country.  I have always dreamed of playing college baseball and continue to work as hard as possible to achieve this goal.

What were you looking for out of a college to continue your baseball career?

I was looking for a college that could provide a great education and had a coaching staff that was similar to the coaching staff that I play for at Brother Rice High School.  To have the opportunity to play for a coaching staff that is supportive, knowledgeable and passionate of the game and each player on the team is ideal.  Also, to play for a staff that will continue to develop my skills for the next level was very important.

What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?

My two best attributes are my mental toughness and my ability to be a supportive and humble teammate.  I believe as a pitcher, it is extremely important to have mental toughness and confidence on the mound no matter what the situation.  It is also equally important to show support and confidence to my teammates as it takes effort from the whole team to win ball games.

What part of your game needs the biggest improvement and why?

I would like to continue to improve every part of my game by becoming faster, stronger and cleaner on the mound, in the field and at the plate.

What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

The best advice I can give to young players is to continue to work hard every day in the classroom and on the baseball field.  Both of these things are necessary to succeed at the high school and college level.

What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

I lift and work on my core 3-4 days a week.  I hit, field and do some type of throwing every opportunity I can.  I do daily stretches for my shoulders and arms and ice after each workout.

What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

My most memorable moment in my baseball career was having the opportunity to play varsity baseball for Brother Rice High School as a freshman last year.  Head Varsity Coach John McCarthy gave me an incredible opportunity to not only pitch at this level but to also hit and play first base.  During every game, he gave me a tremendous amount of support and encouragement to believe in myself and have confidence in my abilities.   This support helped me to compete against the best talent in the Chicago Catholic Blue Conference on a daily basis.  This was a dream come true for me.

What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?

I felt very comfortable with the coaching staff at the University of Illinois.    The staff reminded me a lot of my coaching staff at Brother Rice.  On several different occasions, I saw how the coaching staff and players mixed on and off the field.  They were one big, happy family.  When I saw them play, they competed day in and day out in every game and worked hard against their competition.  I saw how they prepared their players to continue to compete at the next level.  Illinois also has a great tradition of a quality education which was an important factor for me for my future.

What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

I had the chance to speak with coaches from many different schools in the BIG 10, ACC and BIG 12 conferences.   

When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you?  Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you? 

The exposure that I received from competing in the recent Future Games in Indianapolis, IN was outstanding.  There were college recruiters there from schools all over the country.

Preview your high school season for us.  How do you feel you team will be?  What are you expectations and goals?

We have one goal this year for our baseball program at Brother Rice High School and that is to win a State Championship.  I can’t think of anything more rewarding than bringing that state championship trophy back to my fellow “Brother Rice Crusader Crazies” to celebrate.  With the leadership of our Head Coach McCarthy, Coach McBride and Coach O’Connell we will be well prepared and ready to compete.

Where do you play baseball in the summer? 

I have played travel baseball for the Illinois Sparks Organization since I was 9 years old.  I am truly thankful for all of the coaching, training and development that the Sparks organization has given me for all of these years.  I look forward to continuing to compete and develop with my Illinois Sparks team through my high school years.

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