Prep Baseball Report recently caught up with SLUH standout SS Mitch Klug on his recent committment to Harvard University.

PBR: Which schools were you considering prior to committing to Harvard University?

Towards the end of my decision, I was strongly considering George Washington and SLU along with Harvard. Throughout this past summer and up until my decision, I also had interest from and considered Duke, Mizzou, Princeton, Columbia, Villanova, and many academic D3 schools.

PBR: What were the reasons that you ultimately chose Harvard?

After visiting the campus and the city of Boston, I knew Harvard was the right choice. Academically, there isn’t a better school I could ask for. Leaving St. Louis and going to another city was also important to me in choosing a college, and Harvard is located in the perfect spot. The guys on the team were great to me, and I loved the atmosphere in the locker-room and around the field.

PBR: What was the relationship you had with Coach Walsh in the recruitment process? I first met Coach Walsh on my visit up to Harvard in September. I was actually drawn to Harvard through an assistant at a Headfirst Showcase who was leaving the program for a coaching position at a different school. Following the camp, I continued to communicate with Coach Lo Ricco. During my visit, I had a great time with Coach Walsh and Coach Lo Ricco, both of whom I know will help me develop as a player and person at the next level.

PBR: As one of Missouri’s top two-way talents, has the Harvard coaching staff indicated whether they would like to use you as strictly a position player or pitcher? Or do they seem open to a two-way role? 

When I arrive at Harvard, my role will be strictly as a position player. The coaching staff has told me that I’m the only shortstop they will be bringing in for the 2012 class, which was also a key component to my decision.

PBR: Considering that you lost a key player in Sasha Kuebel, what is the team’s collective mindset headed into the season? Who do you expect to set up and make 2012 as successful as 2011

Our team is very confident heading into this upcoming season. Despite the loss of Sasha, we’re returning the other eight starters and look to really bring the bats back this year. I expect senior third basemen Willie Floros to step up big after all of the hard work he’s put in, as well as outfielder Caleb King who stepped up big at the end of last year. In order for our team to make a run, Brian Howard is going to have to pitch well.

PBR: Do you feel that playing in St. Louis and facing the competition you do has prepared you to be a DI player? Yes, I definitely feel like competing here in St. Louis has prepared me to excel at the next level. As a four-year starter at SLUH, I have faced almost all of the top players to come out of St. Louis in that time span. During the summer, traveling to different competitive tournaments has also prepared me for the jump next fall.

PBR: What are your thoughts on the implementation of BBCOR bats from a hitting and pitching perspective?

 

I am yet to swing or pitch against a BBCOR bat, so I’m not exactly sure how it’s going to affect me. I know that many of my teammates have complained about it from a hitting perspective. It should be interesting to see how the bats affect the high school games this spring.

PBR: What team did you play for over the summer and how did it go for you? Were there any aspects of your game that you wanted to improve during the summer?

This summer I played for the St. Louis Gamers. The summer went well, and I was able to greatly improve my fielding with plenty of help from my coach, Scott Cooper.

PBR: As you head into your senior year, is it good to have the commitment and recruiting process done?

Committing early and finishing the process has definitely lifted a weight off of my shoulders. Not having to worry about the college process is going to make me more relaxed during the winter and have more fun throughout the rest of my senior year.

PBR: Do you feel that this season will be any different considering that you know where you’ll attend college? I’m not sure how much different the season will be, but I know that it will be a lot more fun. This year I’ll be able to relax a lot more out on the field knowing that my decisions been made.

PBR: What do you hope to accomplish in this upcoming season, both individually and as a team?

As a team, I know we look to continue what was started last season and work harder than our opponent in every aspect of the game. The core of our seniors will now be four-year starters, which will definitely help in the postseason. Personally, I would love to steal over thirty bases and ultimately end high school with a state championship.