Q&A with Underclass Invitational Participant Matt Turner
January 8, 2015
By Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director
Prep Baseball Report Colorado is ready to hit the ground running in 2015 with two major events. With the Underclass Invitational at Slammers South just two weeks away, limited spots are still available for this event. Over the next two weeks, PBR Colorado will continue to introduce you to 2017 and 2018 players who have committed to this event. Continuing our second round look at registered players is Matt Turner 6-foot-4, 160-pound, 1B/3B / RHP, 2017 from Broomfield High School.
PBR: Describe yourself as a baseball player to those who have never seen you play:
Turner: I am always the first to be at the field or practice and always the last to leave. I am a hard worker and it shows on and off of the field. I spend most of my free time training, whether it is batting, fielding, or throwing. When I'm not doing well I sit down and just go through the motions in my head and just relax. If I make an error I shake it off and the next pitch I want the ball to come my way to make up for my mistake. If there is a teammate who is in a slump I cheer them up and get their mind off of it.
PBR: What would be your dream school to play baseball at?
Turner: My dream school to play baseball at is at Notre Dame.
PBR: What are your best assets on and off the field at this point in your high school career?
Turner: My best assets off the field are that I am a hard worker, in my free time I am training to get better, and I always work hard in the classroom. My best assets on the field are transferred from off the field. They are, I am always wanting to get better, I'm a hard worker, and if I feel there is something that I am doing wrong I'll ask the coaches and get their input.
PBR: What does your off-season preparation look like this year compared to you freshman year?
Turner: Last year during freshman year I was hitting once a week and I wasn't on a throwing program. This year I am lifting weights 3-4 times a week, I am on a throwing program, I hit everyday whether it is in my basement or at the facility, and I am training with my friends after school. I am more committed this year than my freshman year.
PBR: What is the best baseball advice you have received and try to follow to this point in your career?
Turner: "You have the talent to go somewhere, you just have to use that talent and work hard so you can make the most of it. If you don't use all of it you won't go anywhere." -Coach Cox
PBR: What are your superstitions or routines that go on during a season?
Turner: Before every home game I have to hit before hand, before every game I listen to a soundtrack that calms me down and gets me focused for the game ahead, and I wear the same sliding shorts and socks for every game and if we lose a game then I wash them.
PBR: What are your goals for:
This Season: I would like to make Varsity and show the coaches what I am made of. I would like to hit at least 3 home runs and throw in the the mid to high 80s by the end of the season.
Two Years: I would like to have a couple colleges really looking at me and I want to be one of the best 1st basemen in the Nation. I would like to gain about 30-50 lbs by this time. At the end of my senior season I would like to be throwing at least low 90s.
Four Years: I would like to be at a D1 school and be a starter. I want to be on a scholarship and be looking to either finish college and go in the MLB draft, or finish 2 years of college and go into the draft. At this time I would like to be somewhere around 215 lbs.
To see the current Underclass Invitational Roster CLICK HERE
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