2013 Draft Q and A - Logan Koch – C – South Mecklenbugh H.S., Charlotte, N.C

1.     The first question is always an easy one, though it might take you a little time to finish it. Take us back to that first day a baseball was placed in your hand and take us up to day. I’m talking 8-11yr. old years, travel teams, positions, coaches, etc.

I played for my Dad up until I was twelve.  Because my Dad was a catcher with the Chicago White Sox I wanted to learn how to catch.  My Dad is my role model.  When I was 14 I started playing for the (15U) Dirtbags.  I’m in my 4^th year with the organization now.  When I was a rising Junior I committed to the University of South Carolina.  I can’t thank Andy Partin (Dirtbags) enough for helping me achieve the goal of earning a college scholarship.   

2.     Logan, MaxPrep has South Mecklenburg ranked 980^th nationally and 23^rd in the state (NC). Tell us the degree of competition you’ve experienced in the past few seasons and what big games you have coming up in 2012-2013? 

The Southwest 4A conference is the top conference in NC.  Several very good players have come out of this conference including a number of ACC and SEC players as well as many pro’s.  Our biggest games this year will be the conference games vs. nationally ranked Providence and Ardrey Kell.  If we can do well against them we have a legitimate chance to win the league.   

3.     PG has you listed as the dreaded defensive catcher… tell us a little about your offensive game and what you are doing in the off-season to impress the heck out of us (off the record, you need to get your coach to report stats to MaxPrep as well as PG… it’s hard to write about a player without a game/season stat line)? 

I have always taken a lot of pride in my work ethic and what I do “when no one is watching.”  I’ve been training hard and gained 35 pounds in the past 12 months.  I’m a solid 185 pounds now and haven’t lost any of my defensive agility.  I’m doing all I can to improve my game and I’m starting to see the results of my hard work and additional strength.  I’m never satisfied! 

4.     Take us back to those last two games last year, the win over East Mecklenburg and the tough loss to West Forsyth. Walk us through some of the better moments. 

We played well against East Meck this year.  Hitting leadoff in high school is a bit different for me.  I think our coach does it to keep other teams from pitching around me or intentionally walking me.  I led off the East Meck game with a home run and we went on from there.  Against West Forsyth we faced a good team firing on all cylinders.  We got caught flat and didn’t play our best, but hats off to West Forsyth for getting it done and moving on to the next round.   

5.     Lastly, I’m sure you’ve been busy this summer. Have you played at any level and what are you doing to get ready for the most important season of your young lifetime?

My summer has been great!  Busy with lots of travel.  The Dirtbags went to Ft. Myers for the Memorial Day tournament.  We finished 3^rd out of 80 teams.  I love PG events!  Later in the summer I went to the PG National Showcase in Minneapolis and played against some of the top competition in the country.  Then it was on to Cary NC for the USA Tournament of Stars event.  This was my second year there.  It’s a great venue.  Many of the same nationally recognized players were there.  It’s an honor to be thought of by PG and USA Baseball as one of the top catchers in the country.  Later on I went to the WWBA 17U World Championship in Marietta.  I’ve been to Marietta every year since I was 14.  We went 7-0 in pool play but lost in the playoffs.   

I play with a chip on my shoulder.  I’m not as big as some of the catchers.  Some of them hit for more power than I do but I’ll put my defensive skills up against anybody’s anywhere, anytime.  My bat has come a long way in the past year.  I’m getting a lot stronger and it’s starting to pay off.  The better the competition the better I like it!   

I’m looking forward to my senior year and then playing at South Carolina. 
STATS:   .373/.510/1.070