Q&A with Northwestern Commit Ryan Bader

February 10, 2016

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

2017 LHP Ryan Bader of Mukwonago recently committed to Northwestern. Bader is currently ranked No. 9 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. He is the ninth member of the Wisconsin Future Game team to commit to a Division I school. Here is a report on Bader from the Future Games this past August.

Ryan Bader 7/31/15 - Bader caught the eye of several recruiters this weekend with his long limbed, gangly frame that has loads of projection. His long loose arm action and deceptive delivery is a tough at bat for any hitter. His fastball reached 84 mph while sitting 81-83 mph on consecutive days, it shows run to his arm side and is a tough pick up for opposing hitters. His curveball works with good action at 70-73 mph and showed feel for the zone as well as the ability to expand it when needed.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Bader: I didn't really have any expectations for the recruiting process. I had heard a lot of stories about all kinds of athletes experiences but I didn't know what to expect. It turned out to be a little nerve wracking at first, talking to D-1 coaches was a big deal and it made me nervous to start, but once I got a few conversations in I got used to it and it turned out to be really easy, I just said what I knew and everything went smoothly.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Bader: Academics and a great coaching staff were definitely the top two which is a big part of what lead my to choosing Northwestern. As I went through the process I knew from the start my pitching coach needed to be someone that I got along with very well and knew was going to help me get better. Also, I knew that baseball will end someday and that by getting the best education I could, I could set myself up extremely well to succeed after college and baseball.

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

Bader: Location wasn't a huge factor for me. I had offers from schools ranging from areas in Texas to South Carolina to Wisconsin, but I knew that location would just be a perk to the college I picked and that academics, coaching staff, facilities, etc were my more main points of focus.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Bader: Things took off after the PBR Future Games event in August of last year. That was a great event and Steve Nielsen was great letting me know which schools showed interest. I pitched well at that event and all of the exposure from that event really got the ball rolling for me recruiting wise. I was able to keep improving into the fall season and pitching in Iowa and Florida helped.

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Bader: They first saw me at the Future Games. I talked with coach Reynolds, the pitching coach, to start and we got along really well. I also talked to coach Allen, the head coach, a few times and I bonded very well with him as well.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Bader: The coaching staff for sure. They really made me feel important to the program and were always in touch with me, asking me how I was doing and keeping me in touch with current events at the school. A key factor that made my decision obvious was the trend of the athletics and all the awesome new facilities under construction. The campus is incredible to say the least.

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

Bader: College of Charleston, Wright State, Southern Illinois, and Illinois State.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

Bader: Griffin Doersching was the toughest hitter I faced from Wisconsin. His size and bat speed makes him and intimidating force in the box and his pitch recognition is impeccable.

PBR: 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?

Bader: As a freshman, PBR ranked me in the top 10 and I had shown improvement from the previous year. A jump in velocity made me realize that I could play at the next level if I kept working hard.

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

Bader: You have to set high goals and then put in the work. You can't aspire to be great and then not follow it up in the weight room, on the field, and most importantly in the classroom.

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

Bader: Pitching a night game on Florida Gulf Coast's field to open the Perfect Game Underclass Championship in front of more than a dozen D1 schools.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Bader: I have played for the Pound Town/ PTA program in the past, now I play for the Rawlings Hitters Baseball program. My most memorable experience with PT was playing in the MCYSA International championship against team Japan.

Q&A with Northwestern Commit Ryan Bader

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