Time and time again, C Owen Young (Joliet West, 2024) has stood out to our scouting staff as a vocal backstop with the ability to handle a pitching staff. Though it's not just his leadership that makes him an effective catcher, as he also boasts a pop-time as low as 1.89 seconds to pair with a clean catch/throw skillset. He can also handle the bat with a direct right-handed stroke, showing the ability to work on the barrel with backspin line-drives while using the whole field, often taking the ball where it is pitched. Now in his senior year, Young will look to help lead a talented Joliet West club to another successful season, as they broke their school's single-season win record just last spring. 

We recently had the opportunity to talk to Young about his recruitment process, as well as some other topics along the way. 

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?

Owen: My expectations going into the recruiting process were very high. As I got older and started to realize where my level of play was compared to other top talent around the area, I realized that I could really do what I wanted to do in the recruitment process. I wanted to be at a place where I felt welcomed and a place where the coaching staff was elite. Coach Vucsko and the Lewis staff made it very easy to make a choice.

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

O: I was really looking forward to staying home in order to stay close to family and friends that live around here. Being able to stay close with loved ones was huge for me.

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

O: The recruiting process really started to heat up during the final two weeks of my summer season with Top Tier South. I had a great stretch of games down the road and it really was a pivotal moment in my recruiting process. The recruiting staff at Lewis first saw me play at The Rock in Wisconsin.

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

O: What I like most about the Lewis program is that the coaching staff made me feel very welcome. Coach Vucsko did a great job in making Lewis feel like a second home. From the moment I stepped on campus I knew that I would fit in great with the program and I’m super excited for what the future holds at Lewis.

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

O: I had previously talked to UW-Parkside and Rock Valley College as potential suitors but unfortunately things just didn’t work out. But I would like to thank Coach Herren and Coach Charbonneau for the time they took to recruit me as a player.

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

O: The best player I’ve had to face as a hitter would be Brady Louck. His delivery mixed with the arm-side run on his fastball is a deadly combination to face in the box.

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?

O: I’ve always known I was capable of playing college baseball, it’s been a dream of mine forever. I’ve always taken the game seriously due to the coaching I have received over the years. I’ve been blessed to have had the coaching from my youth years to my high school years. They always gave me the work and opportunity that it took to make this dream come true.

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

O: Kevin Durant actually has one of my favorite quotes for young athletes trying to figure out where they are with their game. He said “hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard”. I strongly believe that if you think you can do anything, the hard work you put in will always get you to that goal. Staying disciplined and showing up day in and day out no matter the circumstances is what is going to separate you from the rest of your class. Embrace being different, be yourself, and stand out. 

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

O: The most memorable moment in my baseball career was winning a regional title at home. Winning in front of that home crowd with that atmosphere was unmatched. 

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

O: I think we are going to be a very talented roster with great depth this season. We have a great group of senior leaders and a gritty upcoming junior and sophomore class that has really impressed me this offseason. I think we are in for a deep playoff run this upcoming season.

P: How did the Future Games and/or the Illinois State Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event(s)?

O: I was actually invited to participate in the State Games both years the event has aired but unfortunately I was unable to make it. But I have had a few friends that have attended the event and it ended up being huge for them and their recruitment, as they all went on to sign to their schools on signing day following the event.

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?

O: I would love to steal the speed and quickness of my former teammate Nate George. Watching him track everything down in center and run the bases was special to see.

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

O: Class of 2025 Ryan Sobun is a really athletically gifted kid and has really caught my eye over the past year. He’s been working super hard this off-season and I believe that he has a very bright future for the Joliet West program.

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

O: Prep Baseball did a great job getting me started on the recruitment path. As a baseline number system, all of my first showcases and events were through Prep Baseball and they really allowed me to self evaluate and continue to work towards the goals I had set for myself. It was also cool to see myself posted on the PBR Illinois Twitter page a few times following a good game, I can remember looking a few times to see if I had gotten posted and it was always great news to see that I was.

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