OF Brendan Tunink (Newman Central Catholic, 2024; Notre Dame commit) burst onto the scene in front of our scouting staff at the West Suburban Open in late June and never looked back. He quickly earned an invite to the Future Games and stole the show once again while representing Team Illinois, homering on the first day of gameplay and taking multiple impressive rounds of BP throughout the week. His helium summer catapulted himself up to No. 11 in his rankings debut, and he now finds himself at No. 10 in the state. There's a lot to dream on with Tunink, as his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame still has a lot of filling out to do. The added weight in the coming years should only look to compliment the smooth-swinging lefty and give him added juice, which when paired with his natural ability to lift the baseball should make him a legitimate home run threat at the next level. 

We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Tunink and talk about his recruiting process, as well as some other topics mixed in along the way. 

 

Our Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Tunink: At first they were low because I was getting no looks but then my expectations got way better about it. Great baseball program and coaches that will help me succeed at the next level and the education just incase baseball doesn’t work out.

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

T: A little but not too much.

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

T: It really started heating up after I went to the Future Games and that’s where they saw me.

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

T: I really like the coaches. Almost all of my siblings have gone there so we know the place pretty well. The baseball program and how it’s been doing really well, and the education I will be getting.

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

T: Virginia tech and Indiana.

P: 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?

T: I started to realize when coaches were coming up to me and saying stuff to me, but once i got invited to the Future Games I really started taking baseball seriously.

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

T: Keep working hard and pushing yourself to be the best, it will all come together like me. Freshman year I could barely swing a drop three. Just keep putting the work in and you’ll see it pay off.

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

T: The Future Games day one, I was really nervous in the beginning. In the cage before I was going to hit on the field I did pretty bad, but when I got onto the field I just let everything go and hit really good - thats when I realized that I got this in the bag.

P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

T: This years high school season will be tough, we lost a lot of good players last year and we are facing pretty good teams - but we will be really good this year we’re gonna need some kids to step up for us but that’s it. Hopefully we can make it past Supers this year.

P: How did the Future Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event)?

T: The Future Games affected me a ton. I had no one looking at me and then got a lot of attention after that event.

P: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

T: Power and from Colin Barczi.

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