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Q&A with Missouri Commit RHP Zachary McKinnis (Kickapoo, 2021)

August 18, 2017

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Zachary McKinnis (Kickapoo, 2021) has committed to play college baseball at the University of Missouri.  McKinnis becomes the second player in Missouri's 2021 class to choose his school, following summer baseball teammate Brock Daniels. 

McKinnis attended the Missouri Underclass Games in June at Central Missouri and the Junior Future Games in Indiana.  McKinnis has a fastball at 78-79 mph, and an 11-to-5 breaking ball at 68-69 mph with depth. He runs a 7.46 60 and has an outfield velo of 80 mph. At 6-foot-1 165-pounds, McKinnis has a high ceiling with his athleticism and loose arm action.

Here is a look inside the recruitment of Zach McKinnis.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

McKinnis: Coming into the season, my thoughts weren’t necessarily focused on the recruiting process.  I was new to my team so, I was more concerned about earning my spot.  I was trying to prepare myself for the recruiting process later in the year and in the coming years.  I was surrounded by very good players which helped me stay focused and pushed me to be better.  I did want to be recruited, but I can’t say I expected it to happen this year. The recruiting process seems a little hard to understand, but as it turned out the decision came fairly easy for me.

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

McKinnis: Location did play a factor in my decision.  Playing for Mizzou will allow me to play in the best conference (SEC) at an amazing university and still be close enough to come home when I can.  It will also allow my family to come see me play more often.

PBR: Where did Missouri first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

McKinnis: I have played in several PBR events and PG events this year.  I participated in the 2017 Missouri/Kansas Summer event at Central Missouri State University and Coach Bieser was there.  However, I believe Missouri first saw me play in person with my team was in Atlanta.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

McKinnis: In my opinion, the best player in Missouri is actually on my team.  His name is Christian Little and is an amazing pitcher with great velocity and control.  

PBR: What do you do in the off season to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

McKinnis: I love playing basketball.  Basketball helps to prepare me through conditioning, flexibility and improving me overall as an athlete.  I also believe it makes be a better competitor by playing a high level of competition on a daily basis.  For baseball specifically, I train at 2K Sports Training who work with me on pitching, hitting and strength training.  I also have a long toss routine that I usually start in late December.

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

McKinnis: There have been several, but the first highlight for me this season was pitching a complete game shutout in a championship game against BC Prospects-Navy back in May of this year.  This happened to be the first PBR scouted tournament that I played in.

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

McKinnis: I really like the head coach, Steve Bieser, and all of his coaching and support staff.  They made me feel like they were just as interested in me as a person and student as they were a baseball player.  I feel like they want me to become the best person I can be and will definitely help me become the best player I can be.  

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

McKinnis: I feel like I played well in Atlanta both times we were down there.  I made the all-tournament team both times.  I had some good innings at the PBR Junior Futures games in Westfield, IN that may have made a difference.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

McKinnis: I play for the Midwest Prospects Scout Team, coached by Jerry Daniels.  We play all across the Midwest including, Missouri, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia.  We either won or was runner-up in several tournaments this summer, but I believe the most memorable was winning the KC Sports Memorial Day Select 30 Super NIT in Kansas City.  It was a long tournament and we really pulled together as a team to win it.  We had several of our players do something amazing to top it off.

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