Commitment Q&A with Southeast Missouri State Commit Kayden Kohlberg
April 3, 2024
RHP Kayden Kohlberg (Seckman) is one of the top prospects in the state's senior class and currently sits inside the top-15 on our 2024 pitcher rankings.
An athletic two-way follow that's most notable for his talents on the mound, Kohlberg possesses a 86-90 mph fastball. Kohlberg's able to land a tight, high spin upper-70s breaking ball for strikes and we've seen him show a high-70s to low-80s changeup in past looks as well. At the plate, the senior reaches exit velos upwards of 97 mph.
Recently, our staff talked with Kohlberg on how his recruiting process unfolded, why he chose SEMO, who his toughest opponent to date has been, and more. You'll find the full story 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?
Kohlberg: My expectations were that it wasn’t going to be easy for me and that I needed to really work hard for schools to see me. What I was looking for out of a college was a school that was just as committed to me as I was to them.
PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Kohlberg: Distance from home did play a big factor due to me having a lot of family in MO and IL. SEMO is right in the middle.
PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
Kohlberg: The recruiting process really started heating up for me up in [a] tournament in KC for PBR. The school I committed to first saw me play down in Arkansas.
PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Kohlberg: What I liked most was how comfortable I felt being down there. Some of the key factors were education, feeling like I’m at home, and having a good time.
PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Kohlberg: Two schools that were on my list were Jeffco and Maryville.
PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?
Kohlberg: The best player I have ever faced would be Nazzan Zanetello (Christian Brothers College, 2023; Red Sox Draft Pick). The kid is an absolute stud on the field and is the most competitive player I have seen. He just gets the job done for his team and always finds a way to get on base.
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?
Kohlberg: I realized I was a college-caliber player the summer leading into my senior year. I was hitting numbers a lot of kids at my age couldn’t get to and I was consistently having great outings. I always took the game serious because I have always wanted to play at the next level.
PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Kohlberg: The advice I would give would be chase the dream you’ve always had doesn’t matter if it’s in baseball or any sport always work to be better each and every day.
PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
Kohlberg: The most memorable moment would be winning a tournament up at Creekside.
PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?
Kohlberg: I see Seckman being a very solid baseball team this year. We have a lot of players that are dedicated to the game and always want to win. I feel our team will win a lot of games this year and be a very competitive school.
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