Lee Looking Forward To "Roughing Up" Big 12 Program

PITTSFIELD, Ma. - Matt Lee is ready to “rough up” the Kansas State program. It is one of the things that the fourth-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in Massachusetts believes the coaches at the Big 12 Conference school like about him.

“It’s the whole New England mentality,” Lee explained. “A blue-collar kid that likes to grind things out. I care about winning and they saw that. They like to get kids to come in and rough up the program.”

College interest in the Taconic High School hurler began during the spring season of his sophomore year, in particular after throwing a no-hitter against a rival opponent back in June.

“That’s when notice came and I had to schedule my calls,” Lee reflected.

Offers came in from Northeastern, St. John’s and Maine with Maryland and West Virginia also showing interest before “everything fell into place” and Boston College and Kansas State became the top two schools under consideration.

Talks with Kansas State eventually heated up.

“I had a pretty good spring season and that put my name out there,” Lee related. “I talked with Ryan Connolly (Director of Baseball Operations at Kansas State) and when I went to Georgia they saw me pitch. I was on the fence with a couple schools that offered, but I talked to (head) coach (Pete) Hughes and (pitching) coach (Buck) Taylor and you could tell they care who they’re bringing in. I fell in love with the program.”

Pitching for Team Massachusetts at the Future Games was witnessed by the head coach along with an event in Illinois later in the summer.

“That whole experience was insane,” the 10th-ranked 2023 RHP in New England said about the Future Games in Georgia. “It wasn’t the outing I wanted, but he liked what he saw.”

A visit took place in mid-September after an offer came in from Kansas State and a commitment soon followed.

“College baseball has always been something I wanted to do,” Lee noted. “I’ve always wanted to be Division I. When I finally committed to it, I started to live the life.”

The commitment completed a recruiting process very much enjoyed by the 21st-rated New England junior.

“It was awesome having those conversations and making those connections,” Lee said of his recruitment. “Getting to know new coaches and guys that have been around the game and all of their knowledge, I loved it.”

The 17-year-old credits coaches at Rip City with being influential along the way.

“The establishment opened in 2019 and that’s when I started working out there,” Lee explained. “I learned a lot from pitching coach Greg Marchbanks and coach Alex Carasotto, while Kevin Donati was the biggest for my recruitment. The whole program changed my life.”

Business or sport management are potential majors for the 3.7 student at Taconic, who believes he can be a big asset to the program at Kansas State.

“I want to make an impact when I get there and add to the culture they’re building there,” Lee said. “I can’t wait to compete. I’ve always wanted to compete at the highest level like that and I can’t wait to get on the field and work on my game.”

A sense of relief came when the college decision was finally determined.

“Getting the process over was exciting,” Lee admitted. “With that, everything fell into place. Congratulations haven’t stopped.”

The idea of going to school halfway across the country brings no fear to the 6-0 190-pound right-handed pitcher.

“I always thought I’d stay in New England, but I wasn’t going to be home anyway so I might as well try it,” Lee reasoned about the decision to go to school nearly 22 hours away from where he lives in Massachusetts. “I know what I’m getting into and I’m excited.”