Throughout 2023, INF Nolan Sandee (Nicolet, 2024; Northern Illinois) was a name who was on a consistent upwards trajectory across a number of looks. While our staff has been familiar with Sandee for some time now, during the winter circuit he showed off some massive gains he made to his game. At the West Milwaukee Preseason ID the 5-foot-9, 165-pound athlete took arguably one of the cleanest rounds of the day. From a short and quick left-handed swing, Sandee marked a max exit velocity of 92.8 mph, while averaging 87.3 mph. His infield defense was also a noteworthy improvement, as he looked more the part of a lockdown defender and added some big time arm strength that can certainly stick on the left side of the infield at the next level. One of his best performances in front of our staff came at July’s Top Prospect Games, which annually features some of the top uncommitted upperclassmen in the Badger State. Despite the amount of talent there, Sandee still made for a standout showing, both during the workout and live gameplay, walking away as one of the event's biggest winners. To cap off his stellar junior campaign, Sandee announced his commitment to Northern Illinois in early August.

(Top Prospect Games: 7/11/23)

We had the opportunity to ask Sandee a number of questions regarding his recruitment process and many 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?

Sandee: I had always had the goal to play Division 1 baseball but I never had any expectations. So this past summer when different schools would text me and follow me on twitter it was one of the best feelings I have ever had. Once a couple of schools reached out to me I was lucky enough to have multiple options and one thing that I was looking for in a school was the right environment and getting that big school feel when I get on campus.

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

S: Not really, every school that reached out to me was in the Midwest anyway.

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

S: This past summer the NIU coaching staff first watched me at the Cangelosi Sparks Invite. After that tournament they reached out to me via text and then they later came to every game I played at in the Hitters Big Ro Tournament which is where they showed big interest because we played three 8 A.M. games and they showed up for each one.

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

S: Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Eastern Illinois, North Dakota State, and South Dakota State.

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

S: OF/1B Jackson Brewer (Homestead, 2024; Columbia commit); it feels like there is nowhere to throw it, he covers every inch of the plate when up to bat.

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?

S: It was always my dream to play at the highest level in college. There was never a doubt in my mind that I would play in college, especially comparing myself to college commits in my early high school years. Then my numbers took a huge jump and was runner up conference player of the year just behind INF JD Dix (Whitefish Bay, 2024; Wake Forest commit) that's when I knew I could play Division 1 baseball.

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

S: Mobility was easily the biggest game changer for me. It doesn't matter how big and strong you are if you have no range of motion. Also, you are a baseball player not a body builder so make your workouts explosive based not static.

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

S: Hitting my first-ever home run. Even on the 200 ft fence I was always just too small and I never had the power to hit it out. So this spring hitting one at MSOE, a college field, was a great feeling and it was one that I had never experienced in my 14 years of playing baseball.

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

S: Since we didn’t lose any position players and only lost a DH, I believe our season has a bright future. We have a lot of experience at the varsity level and most of us have been playing on varsity for the past two or three years. I think we will win the conference and have a chance to go to state.

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?

S: I would steal the explosiveness from INF/RHP Keagan Jirschele (Mosinee, 2024; South Dakota State commit).

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

S: RHP/INF James Wirth (Nicolet, 2025); he now plays for STiKS and every single day he lifts after school at Nicolet and later goes to throw plyos at Elite Sports Club. James recently told me that he gained 17 lbs. in the last three months and is up to 85 mph with a skinny frame and the height for projectability.

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

S: Yes, Prep Baseball posted multiple tweets of me from a couple from tournaments and showcases this past winter.

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