Prep Baseball Report

Q&A with Bradley commit Logan Delgado


By Andy Sroka
Staff Writer

Less than a month ago, one of the state’s top-ranked 2020 catchers, Antioch’s Logan Delgado, committed to Bradley University. We’ve seen a lot of Delgado in 2018, whether it was following him and Antioch through the spring and during their run in sectionals, his performances at PBR-hosted events like All-State Games or the Underclass Invitational. The 6-foot, 185-pound backstop has had a robust year and it the hard work resulted in a Division-I commitment to the Peoria-area college program.

The strong left-handed-hitting Delgado, ranked within the top-50 prospects in the Illinois Class of 2020 Rankings, quickly established himself as a high-follow earlier in the year and his upside hasn’t really faded since. Delgado only just debuted on the 2020 board in February and has turned this 2018 outbreak into a commitment to a dugout in the competitive Missouri Valley Conference.

We recently had the opportunity to discuss the recruiting process with Delgado, what he was looking for out of his college experience, and his favorite memories in baseball to this point.

LATEST SCOUTING REPORT

Logan Delgado C / Antioch, IL / 2020

8/9/18 - 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitting catcher, strong physical build. Offensively works from a tall setup, short stride and athletic balance. Strong simple approach, creates hard pull contact, path is level, slight uphill with intent to lift hard contact. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays short and over the top, showed soft hands, quick clean exchange. 76 mph out of the crouch, 2.08-2.19 pop times. 7.26 runner in the 60.

(8.9.18)

Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easier or more difficult than you anticipated?

Delgado: I had no previous experience with the recruiting process and was not really sure what to expect. However, I found that it did take time and energy and there is a process players should follow.

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

D: Most important to me was development. I wanted a college program that was going to make sure that I continued to develop in my skills and knowledge of the game. Also, being a catcher, it was important to me that the program had a dedicated coach to work specifically with catching.

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

D: Yes. My parents and family have always been there to support me and watch me play the game. It was important for me to play somewhere where they could see me play more than a game here or there. So, I wanted to be close enough where they could see me play without giving up too much time getting to and from. I focused on schools that were within a five-hour driving distance from home.

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel accelerated the buzz around you?

D: I did not do much in the way of showcases or similar type events until this year. So it was pretty slow going until a Bullpen Tournament in Westfield, Ind., in June followed by another tournament in July. That is when it felt like recruiting coordinators saw something about me that was worth taking note and keeping track of.

P: Where did Bradley first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

D: While I did not know it, they first came out to see me at a tournament last July. Apparently, they kept me on their radar and watched for activity as the summer ended. When they had seen that I had not yet committed anywhere, they came out to see me at a tournament in late September. The relationship progressed quickly after that. We talked a few times over the phone, and I scheduled a campus visit within about a week.   

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

D: The coaches were upfront and honest with me about what they thought I had to offer, where I need to develop, and where I fit in their program and its timing. They placed an emphasis on the academics first and then sports after. They want to make sure I am prepared for when playing ends for me, hopefully later than sooner, but eventually. The program is located close enough where my family and friends can see me play multiple times throughout the season, but just far enough away where I can feel independent.  

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?

D: I was asked to fill in and play up on a summer team the last couple of years. I was able to handle the increased speed and intensity of the game. I also had a bit of a growth spurt and got stronger. The increase in my measurables at the beginning of this year showed that I could compete with the top athletes. I knew then that I had a good foundation and was ready to focus on continuing at the collegiate level.

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

D: Keep your focus on the game with an emphasis on growth and development. Everyone progresses at a different rate, some earlier than others. But you have to be ready if you really want to play and compete. You can’t be ready if you spend too much time thinking about why you didn’t get a spot on a certain team instead of focusing on what it is you are going to do to make yourself better. Focus on getting ready every chance you get.

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

D: Our high school team had its ups and downs throughout the season. But when it came to the playoffs, we really got into a good groove. The most memorable moment of my baseball career, thus far, was standing in the on-deck circle during our sectional championship game. Down 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, runners on second and third, and an 0-2 count, I watched as my brother, a senior, hit a walk-off double into the right-center gap sending us to the super-sectional game.

P: Preview Antioch’s season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

D: Well, our team fell one game short of going to state last season, so it is going to be hard to repeat given that we had a roster with lots of seniors. We will need our upcoming juniors and seniors, myself included, to really step it up. My goal is to help lead the team to win regionals again, and hopefully more.

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