Q&A With St. Louis Commit: '17 Ben Livorsi, C, Minnetonka

February 25, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

PBR Minnesota strives to be the most comprehensive source of player information across the state. The Prep Baseball Report is the No. 1 resource for high school baseball in each state we cover through our variety of events, boots-on-the-ground scouting staff, daily coverage, and multimedia platforms. Our multimedia platforms and events work in tandem, ultimately creating the most powerful source of high school baseball promotion in each state. While other organizations take a national approach, our goal is to become the authoritative voice on the ground level of each state.

Interested in attending a PBR Minnesota event? Check out our schedule by Clicking Here.

Interested in subscribing to Prep Baseball Report? Click Here.

Name: Ben Livorsi
Position: C/1B
Class: 2017
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 205-pounds
High School: Minnetonka
PBR Rank: #8 in MN 2017 Class

Evaluation: 2015 Future Games - Livorsi is a 6-foot, 205-pound left-handed hitting catcher who has shown the versatility to also play first and third base. Offensive threat every time we walks to plate. Shows ability to consistently square baseball; with loud contact to middle/pull side of field. Good balance and direction in swing. Stays down and through at contact. Shows loose hands and clean bat path to contact. Shows solid feet and hands at third base with quick release and accuracy on throws. Receives well behind the plate with good flexibility in lower half. Throws are accurate to bag with carry. 78 mph arm strength and his top pop time at event was 1.94.

PBR: Why did you choose St. Louis University?
LIVORSI: I chose Saint Louis because it has a very good academic reputation, it has a major I am interested in, and the size was just right. As far as baseball, I wanted a winning program that also focused on player development; and not to mention needed a catcher from the 2017 class.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
LIVORSI: I had an offer from Illinois State and a pending offer from Wake Forest.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
LIVORSI: I had been in contact with the coaches before by emailing them my schedule, but I think the first time Saint Louis saw me play was at the Future Games. I started on a regular call schedule with them and then right before school started we took a visit and I really liked the campus and the upgrades they were making to their facilities.

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?
LIVORSI: I would say that I'm pretty relieved. Now I can focus on keeping my grades up, getting a high ACT score, and working on my development as a ball player.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
LIVORSI: I think the deciding factors were the good communication they displayed and also their baseball only facilities were nice. It also helps that it's right in the middle of one of the best baseball towns in the country.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
LIVORSI: There are a lot of people that helped me along the way, but the four people I would say have helped me the most would be my dad, Justin Musil, Adam Barta, and Paul Twenge. My dad, like most dads, instilled a passion for baseball in me like no one else. He threw countless hours of batting practice to me and also has been my long time catch partner. He has really helped me develop because he would help contribute to my individual work outside of practice. Justin Musil, my recruiting advisor, helped me establish a relationship with the coaches at Saint Louis and made the recruiting process go as smoothly as possible. The director of the Minnesota Blizzard program, Adam Barta, has been a tremendous helper with my development. He gave me the opportunity of playing in his program when I was 13 and I have loved every moment of it. The love he expresses for his players is unbelievable. And last but not least, my high school coach Paul Twenge has been a big helper in the recruiting process. He communicated with the coaches and the system that he runs at Minnetonka is one that will prepare me for college.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?
LIVORSI: I thought the process would be very stressful and time-consuming. However, for me, it was very smooth and easy because of all the help I received.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?
LIVORSI: The coaching staff sees me as a contributor right when I step on campus. They see me as an impact bat and also having a chance to start behind the plate as a freshman. There is a lot of time before I step on campus, and I know I have to work hard to be the player they expect me to be when I do get there.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
LIVORSI: I have a lot, but one of the greatest baseball moments I've had was hitting a walk-off grand slam in Cooperstown at 2am in the morning in pouring rain. It was also the morning of my dad's birthday.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?
LIVORSI: I would say the best player I have played against-and also have had the privilege of playing with- is Sam Carlson.

Q&A With St. Louis Commit: '17 Ben Livorsi, C, Minnetonka

RECENT NEWS