RHP Lucas Montesantos (Hinsdale Central)  has risen 130 spots over the last couple years in our class of 2022 rankings, making him one of the biggest overall risers in recent memory. After recording a 6-0 record with 35 innings pitched, 60 strikeouts and 1.40 era, the future Praire Star landed a spot on our Third Team All-State roster after this past IHSA season. Montesantos continued his strong play into the summer and caught the attention of college coaches from around the country, including the University of Illinois Springfield, where he will be headed next fall. 

We recently had the opportunity to discuss the recruiting process with Montesantos, what he was looking for out of his college experience and several other intriguing topics. 

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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?

Montesantos: Before my junior season and summer I expected to find a spot at an academic DII or III— I did not expect to get much DI attention, and did not think of myself as “DI”. I wasn’t too sold on the fact that my talent could continue after the collegiate level. Things have very much changed since then.

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

M: Yes, I always kept distance in mind, but to be honest, the more prestigious the program was, the more distance became a non-factor. If only Midwest Jucos were looking at me, then distance would’ve been a huge deal, but when Yale and the Air Force came knocking I didn’t think twice about how far away they were.

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

M: No one saw me pitch during my high school season, which makes sense because I didn’t really do much to get on anyone’s radar before 2021. Before June 17th, the only college to have reached out to me was Southeastern CC in May, seemingly because of numbers I put up at the Pre Season All-State showcase in March. But on June 17th, my first start of the summer with my travel team, Rake City, I was reached out to by a couple schools, including Murray State, UIS, and Yale. For the rest of the summer that pattern continued where every start I would get a text or call from one or two more schools. Besides UIS, I don’t know when schools were specifically watching me, although my coach hinted to me that most of the Ivy League had me on their list, and also many others including Air Force, UIC, WashU and Oakland. 

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

M: I was extremely lucky in my process, in the sense that I’m sure I found the right place. UIS checked almost every box and was a really great fit in all of the most important categories, especially economically. I say that I was lucky, though, because the other major choices I had all dropped right before I received my offer from UIS. Hindsight is 20-20. I can look back now and see that where I’ve ended up was by far the best out of those final options, but in the moment, decision making is always tough with all of that pressure on you. I was lucky that I didn’t have to really make a decision, and was guided, by chance, into the best place.

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

M: WashU, Air Force, and Yale.

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

M: Owen Murphy, period. In my opinion it took too long for him to be considered #1 in the state. There is a competitive entity that lives inside of him that I haven’t seen in anyone else, and I’m sure it will carry him past all of the competition our state has to offer.

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?

M: When 2020 turned into 2021. That’s when my velocity jumped and when I overall grew into my athleticism instead of trying to be a player that I wasn’t. And then again during the 2021 high school season— I learned how to use that newfound talent in game scenarios.

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

M: Don’t ever lie to yourself every single minute of training. Every rep, set, day, month, year. Don’t lie to yourself.

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

M: Taking a no-hitter into the 7th inning and only giving up one in a 13-strikeout performance to win our first conference championship in 19 years on May 27th.

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

M: Our team this year should be very strong. We return a number of committed players along with talented newcomers. We expect to build on our conference and regional titles from last year and compete for a state championship.

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