Q&A with UW-La Crosse Commit Connor Neeck

December 1, 2015

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

2016 RHP Connor Neeck of Grafton, recently committed to UW-La Crosse. Without playing on a travel team, Neeck utilized the PBR Unsigned Senior Games in September to boost his recruiting and jump to No. 42 in he Wisconsin Class of 2016 rankings. Here is a report on him from the event.

Connor Neeck 9/20/15 - 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick arm. Tall and fall online delivery with a square landing. Some rhythm with regular effort. Fastball sat 83-86 topping out at 87 mph with slight running action. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 69-71 mph. Changeup at 71 mph. Struck out one in his inning of work. One of the better uncommitted arms in Wisconsin’s 2016 class.

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

Neeck: I really had no idea what to expect, but I will say that it wasn’t easy for me. I sent what felt like 100 emails to various schools in an attempt to find ways to get in front of them. I don’t currently play for a travel team like Prospect or Hitters, so I had to do a lot of branding and traveling by myself. I think that’s where my experience sort of differs from a lot of the guys I know.

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

Neeck: I was looking for a program where I was 100% on the same page with the philosophy of the coaches and trainers, baseball-wise and character-wise. The moment I felt comfortable with both the training regimen and the coaching, I knew I had found my fit for a place where I could maximize my potential as a player and a person.

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

Neeck: At first, it really didn’t at all. But as my family and I traveled to states like Missouri, southern Indiana, and Florida to visit schools, I was never able to see myself settling in any of those places knowing I would be so far away from home. La Crosse is only about 3 hours away from Grafton- a distance where I can drive home if necessary but also be living on my own. It felt like home.

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?

Neeck: There was never really a moment where the process really heated up for me. There would be very climactic points in the process that would quickly become uneventful depending on who replied to my emails, who offered what etc. The only event I did other than camps was the Unsigned Senior Showcase, and that’s when a few more schools actually started emailing and sending letters to ME first.

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

Neeck: La Crosse was the recipient of one of my first emails that I sent to probably 10 schools or so, and they actually called me when I was at work to talk to me and say they would be at the PBR Unsigned Senior Showcase in September. After I pitched there and they saw me in person for the first time, Coach Gillitzer called me the next day to talk about being an Eagle.

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

Neeck: I loved every second of my time there and seriously didn’t want to leave. Educationally, UW-La Crosse is obviously a great choice. The education I will receive there is among the best. The bluffs that surround the city are incredibly scenic as well as the rest of the nature that surrounds the campus. I feel like La Crosse is a perfect balance of a natural, scenic setting as well as an urban landscape, which made me feel at home. The campus/student body was a perfect size for me, the activities on and off campus that a student can do there are endless- not to mention the baseball program is very successful and Copeland Park is pretty awesome.

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

Neeck: Truman State, Madison College, Wabash Valley, and Jacksonville University.

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

Neeck: I’d say the best overall player I’ve played against is Cyrillo Watson. He is the only guy I’ve ever seen that can truly dominate on the mound, in the batter’s box, and in the outfield.

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?

Neeck: I get asked this question frequently; because the people close to me know that I had never really cared much for baseball until recently. I had a pretty good junior season with my high school team at Grafton, and it was after my last start where I threw a complete game shutout with 12 k’s that I started hearing it from dads all over the place that I should take it more seriously and try to play in college. My Catcher this past season, Adam Cibulka, took me down to Oconomowoc to his trainer, Brooks Braga. I did an assessment with Brooks and eventually started training with him, and have gone from 83 to now 88 (unofficially) in just 3 ½ months. Once I saw the results, I was very motivated to keep making progress and see what I can do at the collegiate level. BRX Performance is truly the best in the business!

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

Neeck: Personally, I was feeling a lot of pressure to go D1 since all the guys I train with did and the kid that I’ve been playing baseball with since I was 7 (Adam Lukas) did, so I tried to at first. I had a few offers, but I never felt complacent at any of those schools. Go wherever you feel at home! No matter where it is! Also, train train train for strength, explosiveness, and flexibility. Those are key in bettering your body for the sport. I highly recommend BRX Performance in that regard.

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

Neeck: Personally, when I was on the front-page of the Ozaukee Press for my aforementioned complete game; that was neat. But, Grafton’s playoff run last season is truly my favorite memory.

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

Neeck: Grafton fully expects to be right back where we were last season in the Sectional-Final, and our ultimate goal this season is to win a State Title. We lost 8 seniors, but we have a TON of very talented underclassmen that we know will be able to step up and capitalize in larger roles this season. Everyone on the team this year is feeling very good about what is to come.

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

Neeck: My high school team at Grafton is in summer ball, so I play with them. As I mentioned before, my favorite memory with them is our playoff run last year. It was absolutely crazy. We had a huge comeback win against Cedarburg after taking them into extras and winning to get to Sectionals where we then beat the Number 1 team in the state in West Bend West, and eventually lost a very close game in the Sectional Final against the eventual state champs in Menomonee Falls. Last year’s team was a blast, truly the best team I have ever played for talent-wise and character-wise.

Q&A with UW-La Crosse Commit Connor Neeck

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