Q and A with 5A All-State First Team Pitcher Lucas Milner

Sean McCann
PBR Kansas Scouting Director

In our next Q and A segment with a 2013 KABC All-State performer, Lucas Milner (Andover Central, Class of 2014) shares his thoughts on his season last year and how he is preparing for next Spring.  The 5-foot-11, 150-pound RHP/IF finished last season with an 8-1 record, 1.58 ERA, 50 strikeouts, one no-hitter while also batting .435. His efforts resulted in several awards, namely KABC 5A All-State, First-Team Pitcher and AVCTL Co-Player of the Year.

PBR Kansas: Congratulations on a big Spring 2013 season – tell us a little about your season last year:

Milner: We finished the season 16-5 and were AVCTL League Champs and also were Regional Champs where we defeated Goddard and then Kaupan in the Championship game. However, we suffered a tough loss in the first round of state versus Shawnee Heights and their ace lefty Jordan Floyd (Class of 2013, now a freshman at Kansas State). Both of us only gave up 2 hits and struck out 10 each but he won the battle 1-0.  Personally, I went 8-1 and won a lot of post-season awards but that's more of a reflection of how great my teammates and coaches are than anything.

PBR Kansas: What have you been doing this summer and fall to build on last spring’s 5A All-State First Team performance?

Milner: In the summer and fall I play for the Wichita Sluggers 18u team under Matt Baty and Paul Sanagorski. I have just been working hard in the weight room to try and get bigger and stronger. I want do everything I can to take my game to a higher level trying to become an all-around better player mentally and physically

PBR Kansas: Who is the best Kansas high school hitter you have faced in your career?  

Milner: Zach Baker From Andover 2013. Zach was always a tough out and always seemed to find a way to battle and battle and extend at bats in order to just try to get me to throw another pitch.  He seemed to square up most of the balls he hit.

PBR Kansas: How long have you been in the Wichita Sluggers organization?  

Milner: I have been with Sluggers for 6 years and they have had a tremendous impact on me as a baseball player. I can’t thank them enough for everything they have helped me with and continue to help me with. All of the coaches there have great knowledge and passion for the game - which is contagious.  They have instilled in all their players the need to be the toughest competitor on the field. They have helped me with knowing that the off-season is the time to get ahead of others that might not be working as much. They do a great job of preparing us during the off-season and working hard with us so we are ready to go out and compete in the spring

PBR Kansas: What are you looking for out of a college and baseball program to continue your academic and baseball career at?

Milner: I look for a place that will prepare me for the next level whatever that will. A place that I am comfortable and I can grow to become an all round better baseball player. I want to go to a place where the coaches and players have a passion for winning like myself.

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

Milner: Winning regionals vs Kaupan. All of the hard work paying off was an incredible feeling, especially since it was a tough game made it even more satisfying.

PBR Kansas: What are your immediate and long-term goals in baseball?

Milner: I want to have a successful college baseball career whether that be JUCO and/or DI and hopefully move on to play professional baseball one day.

PBR Kansas: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Milner: Two people. Of course my father, who taught me to love the game by always watching games with him and playing catch in the yard from the moment I was able to. He instilled a value to never be satisfied and never stop working until you have reached your goal. They have done everything they could in order for me to play at a high level and train with great coaches. The time I got to spend with him while I was young was what first made me love baseball.

The second person is my current coach Matt Baty. Matt has been an incredible influence on me and has really helped mold me into being a hard-nosed competitor.  The passion and love he has for the game of baseball is so contagious that it makes you want to work to be the best you can be. He stresses playing the right way with passion, emotion and love for the game. Both of these people I really look up to and hope to one day be able to repay them for all they have done for me.

PBR Kansas: Is there an MLB player you model your self after? If so, what do you like about them?

Milner: I really love the way Mike Trout plays the game because it looks to him as if its not a job but something that he enjoys and is thankful to be doing. I admire that about him the most and try to carry that into my game.