Prep Baseball Report

Q and A with Mississippi State Commit Ryan Cyr



By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

Last week Blue Valley High School 6A All-State right-handed pitcher Ryan Cyr verbally committed to Mississippi State University.  We had a chance to visit with Cyr to discuss his spring season, the recruiting process and his decision to sign on with the Bulldogs.

PBR:  What were the key factors in picking Mississippi State? 

Cyr:  The two main factors in picking Mississippi State were their coaching staff and facilities.  To me, their coaching staff and facilitates were the best in the nation.

PBR:  When did the Mississippi State coaches first reach out to you and how did the relationship develop with the coaching staff? 

Cyr:  Coach Mingione had emailed me a couple times early in the spring and then came to one of my high school games.  Our relationship only built from there.  He kept me updated with how they were doing during the season and when the season came to an end he came to see me pitch in Atlanta at the World Wood Bat 17U tournament. 

PBR:  Obviously your visit this week went well, can you share a quick outline of what took place during the visit?

Cyr:  We got to campus on Thursday and sat down with their head coach John Cohen for a couple hours.  We went through a long PowerPoint presentation about what he expects from his kids and talked about how we they are one big family.  He then showed my family and I around the locker room and indoor facilities.  Then a roadrunner took my family and I around the whole campus and they explained everything.  On Friday we met with the rest of the coaching staff and had a long talk with Coach Thompson, the pitching coach, about his pitching philosophy and what he expects from his pitchers.  He had me sold right away. 

PBR: What role does the coaching staff expect you to play during your first year on campus?

Cyr:  They expect me to come in and make a difference right off the bat.  Coach Thompson fully expects me to be pitching a lot my freshman year.  They don't know what my role will be yet my first year - either as a starter middle relief or closer - but I will need to step in and make a huge difference right away.

PBR:  What things do you need to improve upon over the next year or so before you get to Starkville?

Cyr:  I just need to improve my consistency with my breaking ball – against SEC hitters you need a shorter breaking ball.  I think my mind and body are ready to pitch in the SEC.

PBR:  Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player and why? 

Cyr:  Probably just my family in general because they have always believed in me and I just want to show them how far I can make it in the game of baseball.  They have always pushed me to become the best I can be. 

PBR:  Clearly winning a state championship was goal-accomplished for Blue Valley this spring.  Tell us about your spring season, team-wise and from an individual perspective.

Cyr:  Our spring season was a roller coaster.   We knew we were a very good baseball team but started off 7-7 then ended up winning something like 12 out of the last 13 games.  From my point of view we had an amazing team and I trusted our defense very much to make plays for me and they did.   My role this year was to lead the pitching staff and lead by example. 

PBR:  After throwing a complete game on Thursday of the state tournament, when you went to the field on Friday did the thought enter your mind you might end up pitching the final innings and being out on the mound when you clinched the title?  What was it like pitching back to back like that?

Cyr:  Yes it did, because I only threw 81 pitches the day before and my coach asked: “if we get into trouble can I come back to you?”.  Of course, I wasn't going to turn that down.  Pitching back-to-back didn't bother me at all.  My arm felt fine and I was ready to win the state championship.  It was the greatest feeling ever. 

PBR:  You play with the Mac-N-Seitz organization in the summer – how did they help you along the way as you progressed in your career?

Cyr:  They helped me significantly with my pitching game.  Coach Stanek made me who I am today.  He always told me you have so much potential and he taught me all my pitches and always helped make me a better pitcher every year. 

PBR: Who are the top three hitters you have faced in Kansas high school baseball?

Connor Kaiser (’15 Blue Valley West), Clay Custer (’14 Blue Valley Northwest) and Evan Bourn (’14 Blue Valley West). 

PBR:  Having seen a lot of Kansas high school baseball over the last several months, if you were a college recruiter and had one scholarship to give an uncommitted class of 2015 player who would you pick and why?  (Not including a high school or summer teammate)

I would pick Tyler Cox from Blue Valley West.  He has bat speed that cannot be taught and plays the game the right way.

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