INF CJ Trask (Oak Creek, 2024; Bradley commit) has been one of the most consistent performers in front of our staff for some time now and his play throughout 2023 was no different. In the winter, at the Milwaukee Preseason ID, Trask gave our staff a glimpse of what to expect across the spring and summer. There, the strong and athletic 5-foot-11, 190-pound infielder put up a 97.5 mph max exit velocity from a quick right-handed swing. Then the spring came for Trask where he headlined a talented Oak Creek lineup and dominated from start to finish. He recorded a hit in nearly half of his at-bats for the Knights, good for a .453 batting average, including 12 doubles, three triples and three home runs, which earned him PBR Wisconsin WIAA All-State Second Team honors. After his standout spring, Trask continued to do more of the same across the summer circuit and further asserted himself as one of the state’s top talents. In the middle of the summer circuit, Trask officially announced his commitment to Missouri Valley Conference member, Bradley University, where he will join a handful of other recent Badger State prep standouts.

(Top Prospect Games; 7/11/23)

We recently caught up with Trask to talk about his recruitment process, and many other baseball related topics.

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?

Trask: I thought it would be faster, like the coach reaches out and you talk and get an offer much quicker than it actually happened. I wanted to go to a D1 program because that was my goal since I was little.

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

T: I wanted to stay somewhat close to home but at the end of the day I wanted whatever opportunity I was going to have.

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

T: The end of the spring Bradley reached out to me for the first time and then it ticked up from there in the beginning of the summer this year.

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

T: I liked the way the coaches really seemed as excited as I was every time that I talked to them.

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

T: I was down to Maryville and Bradley.

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

T: RHP Jack Detienne (Verona Area, 2024; Xavier commit) was probably the best pitcher I faced from Wisconsin. His high velocity mixed with his slider made it difficult. He was also very effectively wild when we faced him.

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?

T: When I joined Hitters when I was 12, RJ really pushed that everyone there was capable of playing college baseball if they were willing to put the work in and I was.

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

T: Get in the gym and get as big and as strong as possible.

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

T: Facing RHP Charlee Soto [the Minnesota Twins’ 1-A pick in the 2023 MLB Draft] in Alabama and winning the game.

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

T: The goal is to win state, we lost a lot of guys but we have a lot of really talented guys returning.

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?

T: Either RHP Braycen Burg's (Hartford Union, 2024; Madison JC commit) athleticism or 1B/3B Aren Robinson's (Brookfield Central, 2024; Gulf Coast State College commit) frame.

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

T: I think INF/RHP Gavin Zastrow (2027) is next in line at Oak Creek.

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