Few arms have higher pedigree and upside in the Washington junior class than RHP Michael Getzinger (Moses Lake). The 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect is currently the second ranked right-handed pitcher in the state, checking in at sixth overall. We saw Getzinger twice last winter and he thoroughly impressed each time, bumping his fastball up to 87 mph and showcasing a four-pitch mix. Nestled inside his arsenal are two distinct breaking balls; a low-70s breaking ball with more depth and a firm slider spun tightly at a 2,500+ RPM average. His physical upside and current arsenal suggests a potential impact-type starter profile at the next level is certainly in the cards.

We spoke with Getzinger recently about his recruitment process, how he ultimately chose Gonzaga, and his most memorable baseball moment. Our chat, found below.

MICHAEL GETZINGER

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?

Getzinger: I had very little expectations up until I committed. I knew I had a few schools in mind, but I was very happy to get the opportunity to play somewhere where I was comfortable and confident.

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

G: I had a few options to choose from, so distance was a key factor for me to be able to make my decision easier. I am also familiar with Spokane as I play and train there.

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

G: The recruiting process heated up the summer of sophomore year. Gonzaga first saw me throw at their own tournament, but due to the pandemic, continued to watch me over film and live streams.

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

G: I love the coaching staff, as they seemed to accommodate my wants and needs as a player, student, and overall person. I was inspired by past, current, and future player’s belief in the program and the coaches.

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

G: As well as Gonzaga, I also had Washington State and Oregon as my other two options before I committed.

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

G: The toughest player I have played against has to be ATH Payton Knowles (Peninsula, 2023; Gonzaga commit). As a lefty hitter, my off-speed works to his advantage, and my tendency to work on the outer half of the plate plays well into his game due to his ability to drive the ball the other way for power. Very glad he is going to be a future teammate in the near future.

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?

G: I realized my ability was enough to play at the next level when five college coaches called me on the same day. I understood that I had a big decision to make in my life, and I am glad that I made the one I did.

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

G: If I were to inspire young baseball players, I would tell them one thing. The more time you take off, the more time your competition is getting better. Make the most of your time as a baseball player, because sooner or later, that time will be gone, and you will wish you had put in more time.

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

G: My most memorable baseball moment was when I met and played with some of my now best friends in 8th grade. We worked so well together, and we have almost all made it to our dream colleges.

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

G: Our team is loaded with seniors, so being a Junior, it will be a great experience from the other players to learn and listen to what they have to say. We will be strong in the line up top to bottom; our bullpen is lacking a little bit, but as we get deeper in the season, we should see some people step up and eat some innings for us.

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