Q&A With Century CC Commit: '16 Drew Prange, SS, Ankeny Centennial

January 18, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

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Name: Drew Prange
Position: SS
Class: 2016
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds
High School: Ankeny Centennial
PBR Rank: #55 in IA 2016 Class

Evaluation: 5-foot-11, 160-pound shortstop. 7.5 60 time. Left-handed hitter with narrow stance to start. Tall to fall hitting approach. Linear feel to swing. Good hand-eye coordination. Consistently barreled ball hard to middle of field. 79 mph exit velocity. Ok actions in middle. Gloves works. Makes routine plays. Arm works very well. Fast arm with carry and accuracy. 77 mph across infield.

PBR: Why did you choose Century CC?
PRANGE: I chose Century Community College because they have a winning tradition, their coach is a great guy and that's what I was looking for in my college choices. Since they're independent, they will play in Iowa quite a bit. White Bear Lake, Minnesota is a great town and close to the Twin Cities and it felt like it was meant for me while I visited.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
PRANGE: The other schools I had in mind were Iowa Central and Ellsworth.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
PRANGE: They noticed me this fall while playing for the Iowa Sticks. I went up for a visit in mid-October and again in early November. Coach Kotila was very open and honest during the recruiting process. I felt an immediate connection.

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school?
PRANGE: Yes, the amount of stress that I had was overwhelming and after my final decision and choosing Century, it felt amazing and I am extremely proud about my decision.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
PRANGE: Coach Kotila and the players I met on my visits really sold the program, and I have a good chance to contribute right away.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
PRANGE: My dad. He has always made an impact on me ever since I started playing, whether it was coaching me in little league or as I got older taking me to hit or hitting me ground balls. He just wanted me to be comfortable with my decision and I think he really likes Century.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?
PRANGE: The recruiting process proved to be very time consuming. Since high school baseball is in the summer, decisions are often made prior to playing your senior season. It was very difficult for me at least because I wanted a school that made me feel comfortable and at the same time I wanted to be able to play right away.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?
PRANGE: I was recruited as a shortstop and they say I have a good chance to contribute to the program right away.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
PRANGE: My most memorable moment was my first varsity game ever as a sophomore and getting to catch Keaton McKinney, now a starting pitcher for Arkansas, in our season opener at Indianola.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?
PRANGE: I've played against so many great players at Ankeny Centennial, Perfect Game's spring league and the Iowa Sticks during fall baseball; it's really hard to pick one player.