RHP Craig Kabat (Bay Port, 2024; Gonzaga commit) has been a rising prospect in the Badger State’s 2024 class for some time now, and his junior campaign was no different. During last year’s fall circuit, Kabat showed off a slight velocity jump as he was sitting in the mid-to-upper-80s while showing more feel for both of his offspeed pitches, giving us a glimpse of what was to come in 2023. During the winter circuit, Kabat’s velocity continued to tick up, reaching back for a 90.4 mph high at the Madison Preseason ID, where his sharp breaking ball and deadly splitter also looked to be out pitches at the next level, too. Across the spring and summer, Kabat continued to do his thing, and even more velocity was coming from his quick arm. After his impressive summer, Kabat was certainly one of the top uncommitted arms left on the state’s 2024 board, that was until September when he officially announced his commitment to Gonzaga.

We had the opportunity to talk about the recruitment process with Kabat as well as a number of other baseball related topics.

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?

Kabat: My expectations were scarce, I didn't know what to expect minus phone calls which made it scary to start. I was looking for a program that did exceptionally well in their development of their pitchers, and a program who had also seen success in their seasons.

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

K: The process really got going after about my third outing of the summer, as I pitched in Indiana and then Kansas City where loads of people came to watch me. Gonzaga saw me originally the year prior at the GRB Top Prospect event and then again during the Hitters Big Ro Memorial tournament.

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

K: The key factor for me was by far the pitching coach. Coach Harmon, and his track record as a top pitching coach, as well as their history of winning and creating top level draft players.

P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

K: My top picks were down to Creighton, Kansas State, Gonzaga and Troy. Ultimately Kansas State and Gonzaga were my final two picks.

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

K: I think OF Logan Dunn (Wautoma, 2024; Missouri State commit) is probably the toughest at bat in the state for sure, and although I only ever face him in live at-bats it's never easy to get him out. RHP/INF Noah Wech (Manitowoc Lincoln, 2024; Oklahoma State commit) also is a grind of an at-bat and is always on me during the spring season.

P: 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?

K: I think I always knew I was a college athlete, but the level was never certain until this summer when I started getting higher level interest. I have always been serious about playing in college though since 8th grade almost.

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

K: My best advice besides the obvious getting in the weight room is to not let your situation get you down. There's always a way to get your work in if you really want to, regardless of the situation. I know I am not the biggest guy and I won't ever be but that is not an issue to me, because I've realized I can just work harder and compete harder.

P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

K: I think our team will be for sure a state contender, our only issue will be getting past Kimberly along the way but if we do we can definitely go all the way. We have all the arms in the world we just gotta hit consistently.

P: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

K: I think I would take either RHP Avery Duncan (Notre Dame Academy, 2024; Dallas Baptist) or RHP Jack DeTienne’s (Verona, 2024; Xavier commit) size and athleticism. I feel like I do well with what I have though and I've learned to more or less just figure it out.

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

K: RHP Parker Lawson (Bay Port, 2026) is an arm to definitely watch for. He had a great summer circuit and I think if stays on the right track he is going to open some eyes this spring into summer big time.

P: Did Prep Baseball assist in your recruiting? Whether it be through a showcase, tournament coverage, tweets, etc? If yes, please explain.

K: Yes, I think just from being at some of the Prep Baseball tournaments helped me get exposed to plenty of scouts at whatever point. They also made plenty of write ups on me over the years which could have helped for sure.

RELATED CONTENT