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By Aaron Wilson
PBR Michigan Assistant Scouting Director

PBR Michigan has all of your high school baseball coverage across the state covered.

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Michigan Insider: Q&A with 1st round pick Nick Plummer

PBR: What made you begin playing baseball?

Nick: I started playing baseball when I was 4 years old, I played basketball, soccer, and threw the football around too. Baseball was my favorite and came easy to me.

PBR: What summer program did you play for?

Nick: I started playing in Southfield rec league till I was ten them I played for the South Oakland A's one year, the Macomb Mud Hens, Motor City Hitdogs, Michigan Bulls, Midwest Pelicans, and Huntington hounds.

PBR: You were a 4 year starter at perennial state championship contender Brother Rice, what does that mean to you?

Nick: Being able to play at Rice for 4 years has helped me get to where I am today. Being able to start since freshman year has challenged me and prepared me for the pro end of my career. To be able to practice and play with all the great players I played with helped to raise my game every day.

PBR: Who has influenced you most in baseball? Why?

Nick: My stepdad Scott Leonard has made the biggest impact on my baseball career thus far. Scott has been in my life since he coached me when I was 12 and it's great to have grown so close to him and have to practice really whenever I need. My mom has also influenced my career she always pushed me to give it my all on the field, make my grades, and leave everything on the table.

PBR: Your college commitment was to University of Kentucky, what made you select the Wildcats?

Nick: I committed to the University of Kentucky because I loved the coaching staff and how they planned out my development. Brad Bohannon and Coach Hendu are a duo that to me was unmatched. Coach Bohannon being a guy you can really relate to whatever the subject and Coach Hendu being the grandfather like figure that you always what to make proud. Even though I didn't make my way to Kentucky I'm still very close with the baseball program.

PBR: Pro scouts flocked to see you every game during your senior year, how difficult was that on you as a high school athlete?

Nick: Having scouts at my games wasn't a problem for me at all. I was always taught that you never know who is watching, but if anything it was fun messing with the guys on the team about how many scouts were there. The difficult part was the offseason having to balance lifting and hitting and meeting with the scout some wanting me to do short workouts, then on top of that keeping grades at Brother Rice.

PBR: You were drafted in the 1s round by the St. Louis Cardinals out of high school, what are your thoughts looking back on that?

Nick: Being drafted by the Cardinals in the first has really been special for me and my family. It's another step in the process that must be done in order to achieve the ultimate goal, playing in the majors. It was great to celebrate that night with my close family, but you better believe I was in the cages the next day. Overall since freshman year I got an idea that I could really make something out of baseball and I ran with it since, putting everything I got into it, the day of the draft was special and a real treat after the work I and my family put in. However, it's not the ultimate goal.

PBR: What is the biggest difference from High School ball to pro ball?

Nick: The biggest difference from high school to pro ball was the schedule and talent level. We play 6 days a week and practice before all of our home games. It's a grind in 95 degree, but I loved it. The talent is really separated from high school, especially pitching. Everyone's throwing at least 90 and all the position players can play their positions well. 

PBR: Can you describe a day in the life of a professional baseball player?

Nick: A day for me was getting up at 6:15, get ready to leave the hotel, leave around 6:45. Get to the clubhouse at 7, eat breakfast, do early work and practice till 11:00. Eat lunch and go out for the 12:00 game. Play the game, head back to the hotel and rest up to do it again tomorrow.