Prep Baseball Report

Q&A with Richmond commit DJ Lee



By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Illinois/Wisconsin

DJ Lee is one of the top ranked middle infielders in the Illinois' Class of 2014. Lee, a Lincoln-Way North product, was recently at the Unsigned Senior Games in August and was rated the top infield prospect in attendance.

Lee is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound, left-handed hitting, athletic shortstop who has well above average foot speed, running a 6.75 60. Defensively he uses his quick footwork and soft hands producing quick exchanges. His arm plays at 81 mph across the diamond with carry and accuracy. At the plate he has a tall, open setup with a short stride and excellent balance. His line drive swing is fluid with a short path and above average bat speed, posting an exit velocity of 86 mph off the tee.DJ Lee

Here's what Lee had to say about his recruiting process and choosing Richmond.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

Lee: I expected the recruiting process to be a long one. I always knew that I wanted to wait to make my decision until this fall. That was difficult at some points because my timeline didn't always match the timeline of other schools.  I always had faith God would point me in the right direction during the whole recruiting process.  A hundred different things had to fall into place for me to end up at Richmond, and I strongly believe this is where I am supposed to be.  I am humbled, grateful, and truly blessed to have this opportunity.

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

Lee: The main four things I knew I wanted for a school were (1) a place where I would fit in academically and as an athlete (2)  a place where I would have an opportunity to play as a freshman (3) a place where I can develop and get better as a player (4) I wanted to play for a team that's going to win, a team that would have a chance to win a Regional. I truly believe I found all four in Richmond.

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

Lee: At first, distance didn't seem to matter for me.  But when it came time to commit, it kind of hit me how the distance will play a role in my relationships with my family and close friends.  At the end of the day, I couldn't pass up a perfect fit simply because of its location.

PBR: Where did Richmond first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Lee: I believe Coach Woodson first saw me in Cincinnati. He saw me play again at UIC while he still coached at Valparaiso.  When he told me that he was going to Richmond, I told him that my interest in playing for him was definitely still there, probably even more so.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Lee: I was always looking for a school that was a good fit. I was never chasing after the biggest name or the coolest locker room. I'd say Richmond was the perfect fit for me as a student-athlete. The biggest factor for me was the coaching. I honestly believe that the coaching staff at Richmond is one of the best in the country.

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

Lee: The other schools I had offers from were Villanova, Oakland, and a couple JC's.  I also had the opportunity to play at a few of the Ivy League schools as well.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

Lee: I got a few looks from a tournament I played in at UIC this past summer. Also, I had the opportunity to play for Team Indiana in a showcase tournament in Plainfield and I played very well there and got a handful of looks from that tournament as well.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a high level player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Lee: The summer after my sophomore year is when I started to realize how good I could be.  It was when my dad told me that I was going to be a division one baseball player someday. That really sparked a fire in my game and my work ethic to put me where I am today. I've always had the "form" and the "technique", but I was never as big, fast, or strong as everybody else was.  But this past winter, when I started working on strength, speed, and agility, is when I really took my game to the next level.

PBR: What has been the lowest point in your baseball career; what have you learned from it and how has it helped you grow as a player?

Lee: Probably the fall of my Junior year. I struggled at the plate most of the fall and started to press and I pressured myself.  Through this experience I learned that baseball is truly a game of failure, and from then on I've always made sure to have fun playing the game, no matter the circumstances. I made an effort to learn from every mistake I made, so I could get better each and every game.

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

Lee: I would say that I'm a solid, all-around type of player.  I think the things that have set me apart in the past few years are my speed, my defense, and the way I play the game. I always play aggressively and I'm always having fun and staying positive, for the most part.

PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?

Lee: Strength. I will definitely be spending a lot of time in the weight room this off season. I plan on putting on a 15-20 pounds before I step foot on campus next fall.

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

Lee: Your goals can never be too big. Let anybody and everybody who doubts you, fuel your desire to be the best that much more.  I wouldn't be where I am today if certain coaches, teammates, and friends hadn't openly doubted my abilities on the field.  As a good friend of mine would say, "know your why" and make sure you play for the right reasons, something that gives you a drive to be better, something a competitor might not have.  I play for my family, for the people who support me, and for Christ.  Without them, I'm not in the same position I am now. Most importantly, I'd say to ALWAYS have fun playing the game of baseball. It's not always easy to stay positive while playing this game; but speaking from personal experience, the way you bounce back from an 0-4 game, an error, or even a terrible season, can make the difference between an average player and an above-average one.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Lee: I play for the Illinois Sparks in the summer. Every experience I've had there has been a great one. The coaching that I had this past summer was remarkable. Coach Mark Bajenski is a great person who's changed my life on and off the baseball diamond.  Without him and Coach Dave Payton, I would not have the opportunity to play baseball at Richmond.  Go Spiders!

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Lee: I'm beyond excited for this upcoming spring.  With our new head coach and a deep pitching rotation, North is going to surprise a lot of people. We have a great group of guys who are going to get after it, who want to win, and who are proud to wear the Phoenix uniform. As far as goals:  a regional title, a sectional title, and a state championship. If we aimed for anything less, we'd be cutting ourselves short.

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