Prospect Q&A: Brother Martin HS's Keagan Gillies

February 15, 2015

Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana

Name: Keagan Gillies
Position: RHP
School: Brother Martin HS
Grad Year: 2016
Height/Weight: 6-foot-8, 226 pounds
Commitment: Tulane
The Scouting Report:
A 6-foot-8, 226-pound 2016 right-hander from New Orleans, LA. Extremely long, lean, and projectable frame with a clean, quick arm. Fastball sits 84-86 mph touching 87 with severe tilt, angle, and late hard cutting action. Breaking ball spins extremely well with 12/6 shape, quality depth, deception and hard, late break. Still a fairly raw product, as he is still trying to grow into his body, but he has enormous upside with present quality stuff.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?
Gillies: I expected the process to take much longer; at least through my junior season. I enjoyed meeting the coaches of many colleges and other players from around the country.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Gillies: My initial thought was that I would go out of town. I really liked South Alabama and Louisiana-Lafayette. When I visited Tulane, I realized that I could have the feel of being out of town at school while providing an opportunity for my friends and family to watch me play.

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Gillies: I attended a showcase in the fall. I guess Coach Haig liked me and, my friend and teammate Blair Frederick, because he asked us if we would consider Tulane. I told him I was attending the Tulane showcase in January. I had the opportunity to attend a much larger showcase in December and Coach Haig was there again and I really liked the way he helped the pitchers and I liked the way he treated all of us. Later at the Tulane showcase he acted the same way and was very helpful.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Gillies: Gregory Deichmann is the best player I have ever faced. He was so good and could go yard any time at bat. Thankfully he was on my team and I only faced him in practice.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Gillies: I guess after the freak injury with my arm I knew I had another chance and I did not want to waste what God has given me. I am not sure what being an elite player means, but I know I want to get better every day and help my Brother Martin teammates win a state championship. After that, I want to do the same at Tulane. If along the way people consider me an elite player, then that is fine. I just always want to be the best I can be in school, in life, and on the mound.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Gillies: Of course, a good education is the first consideration for a college. After that, I want a school that wants me and a program that will compete at the highest levels. I know Coach Pierce is a winner and I want to be a part of a team that helps the Green Wave get back to Omaha.

PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?
Gillies: I love playing basketball and I believe that helps me because it is such an athletic sport. I feel I bring that athletic ability to the field.

PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?
Gillies: I need to get stronger. I must develop my decel muscles and my core strength. For the past several months I do extra workouts beyond the team conditioning to make myself stronger.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Gillies: Work hard, listen to your body, and enjoy the game.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?
Gillies: As I said, I love to play basketball and me and some of my teammates play a lot. We also play touch football. I do not throw much in the offseason, other than some long tossing and maybe a few competitive innings with my fall team, the New Orleans Spice, with Coach Reihm and Coach Fortenberry.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Gillies: Tulane is an internationally recognized college. I want to study business and the business school at Tulane is one of the best. Also, Coach Pierce is very impressive and has won every place he has coached. Tulane is a winning school from an educational standpoint and from a baseball standpoint.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Gillies: University of Louisiana-Lafayette, TCU, Nebraska, University of South Alabama, Louisiana State University, and Vanderbilt.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?
Gillies: I think we will be very good in the hyper competitive New Orleans Catholic League. We play a very tough out of district schedule and that will prepare us for district and the playoffs. I believe we will have a deep pitching staff and we have some players who can really hit the ball. We are always well coached with Coach Wiz, Coach Lupo and Coach Cappo. Our goal is to win our district, make the playoffs and win a state championship.

Prospect Q&A: Brother Martin HS's Keagan Gillies

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