For quite some time now, OF Eli Lovich (Blue Valley West) has been a premier prospect in the Kansas' 2024 class. A left-handed hitter with baseball bloodlines, Lovich has a premium frame for future projection at 6-foot-4, 180-pounds with lean and wiry strength. He's performed across multiple looks this year, including at the National Program Invitational at LakePoint and at Creekside for the Kansas City Program Invitational.

From 7/6/23: "...lean, lanky 6-foot-4, 180-pound left/left athlete with long limbs. Generates easy whip out of load, hammered a ball foul on day one that would have cleared the right field fence by 50 feet for a home run. Stayed up the middle in another look on Sunday for a barreled up single, bringing a run in. Tools across the board that equate to a noticeable ceiling at the next level - 6.70 60, 95.2 mph max exit velocity, 360 ft. peak distance."

Lovich represented Team Select at the PBR Future Games in 2022 and he is headed to the Super 60 at The MAX in early February. We recently had the opportunity to talk with Lovich on his recruiting process, including some of the reasons why he chose Arkansas, his advice to young up-and-coming baseball players, and more. You'll find our full discourse below. 

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?

Lovich: My expectations about my recruiting process were very high. I wanted to go to a program I know will win and develop me as a player. I was looking for a program that had the tools and facilities to make me the best player possible. I also wanted to surround myself with the best people

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

Lovich: Location definitely played a part in my decision. I wanted to ensure my parents could make the trip down easily to watch me play. 

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

Lovich: The recruiting process really started to heat up for me after the 2022 PBR Future Games and that is also where Arkansas first saw me. 

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

Lovich: I like that Arkansas wins a lot of games and develops players and sends a lot of players to the league. Key factors included coaching, facilities, winning and location. 

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

Lovich: University of South Carolina, University of Miami, and Kentucky.

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

Lovich: RHP Anson Seibert (Blue Valley Southwest, 2024; Tennessee signee) has been the toughest opponent I have faced in the state because of his arm slot and ability to mix up pitches. 

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?

Lovich: I noticed that I had the ability to play college ball when I played up two grades throughout middle school. 

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

Lovich: I would say that rankings aren’t everything and that you have to consistently work if you want to get better and that doesn’t mean work hard for a short period of time that means stay dedicated and work while people aren’t watching in order to fulfill your dreams. Dreams don’t chase themselves. It’s the love of the chase that created the ride. 

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

Lovich: My most memorable moment thus far in baseball has been winning a state championship alongside my big brother. 

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

Lovich: I feel our team has another run for a state title. We have a lot of seniors who are bought in to the system and care about baseball as much as I do. I feel like we will see a lot of success. 

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