Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Q&A with Harvard commit Simon Rosenblum-Larson

September 15, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The 2015 class in Wisconsin has surpassed 30 college commitments to this point and 24 of which have been Division 1 commitments. The most recent one was No. 9 ranked player in the state, RHP Simon Rosenblum-Larson (Madison West, 2015) as he committed to Harvard last week.Simon Rosenblum-Larson

At nearly every event we do, we talk about how important grades are to your recruiting process and very few epitomize that more than Simon Rosenblum-Larson. As one of the top arms in the state of Wisconsin, his abilities on the mound alone were enough to be recruited by several high level programs, but it was Rosenblum-Larson’s academic prowess that put him in an entirely different category.  Recruited by several high academic institutions, the Madison West RHP settled on Harvard and will now be afforded arguably the most prestigious education in the country.

Here’s a look inside of what exactly went into the process, and ultimately choosing Harvard.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

SR-L: I was unsure of what to expect in the recruiting process. I was told that things would be hectic and move quickly, but I had no idea what I was going into. It began quickly and then slowed down dramatically once I began to narrow down my list of schools. Some parts of it were easy, but trying to keep things organized was very difficult. 

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

SR-L: In a college program I was looking for a coaching staff that had a strong commitment to winning and a team that was motivated along with the coaching staff. Coach Decker's winning tradition that he brought to Harvard from Trinity sold me. The players made me feel welcome on my official visit and Harvard provided everything I was looking for.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

SR-L: Location was not as much of a factor for me. I was excited and focused on finding the right fit for me no matter where the school was.

PBR: 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?

SR-L: After my first outing of the summer, my recruiting process began very quickly. I threw well in Cincinnati that weekend in front of 8 or 9 coaches and it took off after that.

PBR: Where did Harvard first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

SR-L: Harvard first saw me in Cincinnati, the first weekend of the summer. After that, I heard very little from them until the beginning of August when I received a phone call from Coach Zandler (the pitching coach). That phone call began a back and forth that eventually led to me taking an unofficial visit in mid August and an official visit which led to my commitment the weekend before this.

PBR: What do you like most about Harvard and what were the key factors in making your decision?

SR-L: Obviously, the biggest thing about Harvard was the academic atmosphere. The athletes that I met seemed very committed to their studies and I believe firmly that a commitment in the classroom correlates to commitment on the field. I put a lot of weight in the academic piece of my choice and there is no disputing the quality of education I can receive at Harvard. On the baseball side of things, I loved the welcoming intensity of the program. The coaches are dedicated to winning and push players to be the absolute best that they can be. I wanted to go to a place where I would have the opportunity to earn my spot in the rotation in my freshman year and consistently improve each year. Harvard felt like the place to do that.

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

SR-L: My short list of schools was Harvard, Brown, Duke, Davidson, Indiana, and Tulane. There were other Ivy League schools in the mix as well.

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

SR-L: The best player I have faced (and played with at one point) is Ben Rortvedt. He has the quick hands and coordination to square up any pitch. He's also one of the best defensive catchers I've ever worked with.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

SR-L: I didn't realize I was a D1 college caliber player until last winter when I began working with Greg Reinhard. Once the summer came around I had only spoken personally with one college coach.

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

SR-L: I would tell young players to stay focused on their goals. Don't get flustered if something doesn't go your way and don't let it get to your head if it does go your way. Also, don't rush the recruiting process, I couldn't be happier about my decision to wait and make sure every possibility was on the table. If I had rushed after my first few offers, I would never have ended up at Harvard. 

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

SR-L: My most memorable moment in baseball was my freshman year in the first game of playoffs. West had not won a playoff game in four years and I came in relief in the 4th inning when we were down 5-2. I threw three perfect innings and had an RBI base hit, we won 6-5.

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

SR-L: We have high expectations for this season. We lost two key seniors last year, but our incoming senior class is filled with contributors. Every starter has varsity experience and we are pushing each other to succeed. If we can play smart baseball and make the plays we need to make in the field, I feel as though we can compete with anybody.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

SR-L: I play for the GRB Rays in the summer. I only played one season with the guys, but it was the best summer of baseball I've ever had. The most memorable experience was winning the Ann Arbor Invitational by playing 9 games in 4 days, then getting stuck in a huge traffic jam in the team van on the ride home. Every single guy put it all on the field and grinded the weekend out. It was a really cool experience.

More Wisconsin News

10.11.14 WI USS slide