Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Max Kaplan, New Trier baseball

Max Kaplan is a senior starting pitcher for the Trevians. He is 7-0 with a 0.98 ERA in 42 2/3 innings pitched this season and will pitch for South Carolina Upstate starting next season.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I wouldn’t say that I’m very superstitious. I do know that I like to do certain things. I don’t like to eat close to gametime. I like to give myself some time to settle in. I never wear (sun)glasses the day I pitch. I feel like it messes up my eyes.

2. Why is South Carolina Upstate a good fit for you?

It’s a great fit. I took my visit there and loved the coaches, love the campus. I toured Illinois State University and liked the coaches there too, so it was tough, but it came down to the campus and the weather. I can play all year around at Upstate. I can long toss all year around. I felt like South Carolina was a really good fit for me. Plus, my sister (Hannah) goes to (University of) South Carolina in Columbia.

3. What makes you an effective pitcher?

I think the biggest thing is just my competitiveness. Every time I go out I’m trying to strike the guy out or make his time in the box the worst time for him.

4. What is your favorite pitch to beat a batter?

I love throwing my changeup. I love just placing a perfect changeup and the hitter looks stupid. For both righties and lefties, I usually throw it low and away. When it is working, I can really place it middle away, and it dips down.

5. What is your dream job?

I think being an athletic trainer for a major league team would be cool. Playing for that team would be cooler, but being an athletic trainer is one of my interests. I am shadowing an athletic trainer and I think that stuff is really cool.

6. Do you have a favorite athlete?

Not particularly. I really like watching a lot of college baseball. I love watching those athletes go to work. I really like to watch Florida State because they have a lot of lefty guys. I’ve been following one guy named Jamie Arnold. He is lights out for Florida State.

7. What is your favorite thing to do off the field?

I really like to hang out with my friends, I like golfing and I ride horses. And hunting too, sometimes in Wisconsin, sometimes in Georgia, with my friends.

8. If you’re in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I am buying an Arnold Palmer and a Twix.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

I would say what I mentioned before. A lot of people don’t know I ride horses. I’ve been doing that since before I could walk. My dad got me into it, and my mom got my dad into it. Every time I get a chance during winter breaks and spring breaks, I go on rides. It helps take my mind off baseball. It’s also good to do something else beside baseball. It’s good to get your muscles moving in a different pattern.

10. What’s the key for this team to go all the way?

I think just sticking to what we know. We worked so hard this offseason. I don’t think I’ve been on a team with this type of bond. So just come together like we know how, and not lose our fight because we are a very tough team. Believe in ourselves and the guy next to us, like a family.

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