Q&A with Ball State commit Maxwell Kalk
January 19, 2023
Since the inception of the Wisconsin class of 2023 rankings, the name C Maxwell Kalk (Kimberly, 2023; Ball State commit) has held a spot inside. Kalk first burst onto the scene way back in 2020 at the Fox Cities Preseason ID and he followed it up with a standout performance at The Rock during the Summer Championships. There Kalk impressed with his smooth left-handed stroke and despite his young age, he showed off some advanced actions behind the plate, coupled with a strong arm. Throughout 2021, Kalk continued to show out in front of our staff but in 2022 is when the backstop really showed what he can offer at the next-level. Starting at the Madison Preseason ID last winter, Kalk showed up boasting a leaner, stronger 6-foot, 190-pound frame that helped him take off a significant amount of time on his 60-yard dash. He then showed off some improvements he made offensively and also continued to showcase his well above-average actions behind the plate. One of Kalk’s best performances in front of our staff came at July’s Top Prospect Games which featured some of the state’s top uncommitted talent. Even with all the talent in attendance, Kalk definitely made a case for one of the day's top performances, mainly during the live gameplay where he tallied two hits, an RBI and run scored, and he left The Rock with a major arrow up next to his name.
Shortly following the Top Prospect Games, Kalk announced his commitment to Ball State, who are fresh off a season in which they tallied a 41-19 record and were crowned regular season MAC champions. We recently caught up with the future Cardinal to talk about his recruitment process and much more in this edition of our Q&A series.
LATEST SCOUTING REPORT
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?What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Kalk: My expectations for my recruiting process was to find a place that I felt like was home and where I could see myself grow as a baseball player and a person throughout the next 4 years of my life. I was looking at a college program that would develop me as a player and help me reach my goals that I have for myself and my future in baseball.
P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
K: Location and distance did not really play a factor in my decision, wherever I could find a place that felt like home, distance and location didn't really matter to me.
P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
K: The recruitment process really started to heat up my 17U summer, that's when I took my first visit, and started talking to more schools about things like visits and scholarships and things like that. The first time Coach Maloney saw me play was at Grand Park this summer against the Toronto Mets. That became one of the greatest days in my baseball career.
P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
K: My favorite thing about the program at Ball State is the culture. Having past success, the bar is high and myself and my incoming recruiting class want to help raise that bar and make the program better. Also, the idea that my teammates are my brothers and after joining the team, I will make 40 new brothers that I will have for the rest of my life.
P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
K: I was talking to Quincy, Turner, and Valparasio before I made my decision to commit to Ball State.
P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?
K: The best player I have faced in the state would have to be RHP Thomas Burns (Hortonville, 2023; Arizona State). The way that he pitches and the arm slot that he throws out from has always been tough for me to pickup. Whenever I get at bats against him, it's always a challenge and a great time because he's also my friend.
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?
K: I'd say when I was 14 or 15 years old I truly believed that I could play college baseball at a high level. When I was younger, I wasn't very good and then started to grow and started to be more consistent practicing and lifting and I got better. After I went to my first travel tournament, my eyes opened up and I identified what I needed to do if I wanted to get the level that I wanted to play at.
P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
K: Some advice I would give to a young baseball player is the idea that "nobody cares, work harder". And that, nothing should ever stop you from working harder whether it be a triumph or a failure, it's all about not getting too high or too low and always working your tail off no matter the situation.
P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
K: Definitely would be at Grand Park when we played Toronto Mets. Not only did I catch and hit well, but that's also when Coach Maloney at Ball State saw me play for the first time in person and that night I got offered a visit and toured the campus and it was amazing.
P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?
K: I think our high school team this year will be very good. Good mix of seniors and juniors, while we have arm depth, and experience on our team and are ready to go out and compete for a state championship.
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?
K: If I could steal a quality tool from any player in the state it would have to be C Thomas Curry's (Arrowhead, 2023; Missouri commit) raw power. He has a great build and his swing is so quick and violent. It's extremely impressive to watch.
P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?
K: The next talented young player to keep an eye out for on my high school team would have to be RHP/OF Sawyer Deering (Kimberly, 2025). He works extremely hard and is very talented and will only continue to work hard and get bigger and stronger.
Scouting Report
Kalk is a strong 6-foot-0, 190-pound catcher who had a multi-hit game at our showcase on Tuesday. The lefty looked very comfortable in the batters box, as he began with an upright and open stance. A falling load with a short stride allowed Kalk to barrel and elevate the baseball, as he showcased at our Madison Preseason ID earlier in the year. The uncommitted catcher had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored in the game. Defensively, Kalk had consistent pop times that ranged between 2.03-2.13 seconds, which were some of the fastest among catchers. The to-be senior raised his stock on Tuesday and will be a player to watch for at the 17U PBR at the Rock Summer Championship this weekend.