By Steve Nielsen

Nick Kanavas is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound, two-way player at Brookfield East HS in Wisconsin. Ranked No. 3 in Wisconsin's Class of 2013, Kanavas is a right-handed pitcher and infielder who possesses top-level arm strength where ever he plays. He is looking forward to his senior season, as he has already committed to the University of Arizona. Here’s our Q&A with the Wildcat-bound Kanavas:

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

Kanavas: Probably Nate Mikolas, because when he hit the ball, it was like an explosion.

PBR: What is your No. 1 personal goal for the 2013 season? 

Kanavas: My number one goal is to make my high school team better by working hard and leading by example because I’m a senior this year.

PBR: What are some team goals that you have for 2013?

Kanavas: We made it to state when I was a sophomore and I want us to go back and try to win the whole thing.

PBR: What are you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Kanavas: The main thing for me was to find the right coach.  I’ve committed to play at Arizona for Coach Lopez and I don’t think there is a better person for me to learn from.

PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?

Kanavas: I try to be consistent.  If things are going bad, I don’t panic.  It helps me and the other guys to know that we can come back if we take it one pitch at a time.

PBR: What do you feel is the biggest adjustment you need to make in taking your game to the next level?

Kanavas: Well, I haven’t done it yet, but I’m pretty sure it will be the speed of the game.  I had a chance to play this past summer with some elite players from across the country and it’s a different ballgame from high school ball.

PBR: What do you like about the college you have committed to and why did you choose them? 

Kanavas: It’s a pretty long list. Like I said, Coach Lopez and the rest of his staff were a big reason. Playing in the PAC 12 conference against some terrific teams like Stanford, ASU and UCLA will be unbelievable. Arizona is the defending national champs and the first thing you see when you walk into Coach Lopez’s office is that trophy. So you know you have to play to that standard.  Also, the weather will let me play outside all year and the school is good, especially the business school. 

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

Kanavas: Two words: work hard. There are a lot of good players around the country.  The guys who make it are the ones who put in the work.

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

Kanavas: I never stop hitting, except for a break around the holidays. Up until this year I played soccer and basketball for Brookfield East. This year I will be training at NX Level with Brad Arnett.  Brad is the former strength coach at Arizona.

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

Kanavas: Probably catching the last out in the sectional final against our rival Brookfield Central my sophomore year.  East hadn’t been to state since 1988 and we went nuts.