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Player Spotlight: OF Brady Kaplan (Liberty North, 2015)

August 5, 2014

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Brady Kaplan is a physical 6-foot-2 200-pound outfielder that hit in the middle of the potent Liberty North line-up last spring.  Kaplan led the Eagles to #1 ranking in the state before falling in the state playoffs to cross-town rival Liberty by one run.  Kaplan batted .426,  cranked 4 home runs and drove in 34 runs as a junior.  During the summer, Kaplan has been to highly recruited tournaments in Joplin, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee playing for the Kansas City Cougars.  

In February at the All-State Showcase in Overland Park, Kansas, Kaplan showed signs of increased strength at the plate and in the outfield.  Defensively, he has an over-the-top arm slot and put all throws on target.  He has a clean, quick transfer with a positional velo of 79 MPH.  During the hitting evaluations, Kaplan showed the ability to hit in both gaps with good backspin carry.  He has a simple load with good bat speed to extension.  He registered an 88 MPH exit velo, showing good power potential. He runs a 4.31 home-to-first.

Kaplan will be attending the Class of 2015 Prospect Games on August 17 in Columbia.  Here is a look at what is happening with him.  

PBR: What schools have expressed interest in you?

KAPLAN: I've had interest from schools at all levels. Indiana State , Central Michigan, Dartmouth, Westpoint, Creighton, Drury, Missouri Western, Washburn, William Jewel and several Juco and NAIA schools including Hutch and Bellevue.  

PBR: Have you taken any visits, or have any visits scheduled in the near future? If so, what schools, and how recently?

KAPLAN: I am scheduling my visits soon. Right now, Missouri Western, Washburn, William Jewell and Central Missouri are going to be scheduled for Fall.

PBR:  Are you looking for anything in particular in a school? (Example: high academics, certain academic program, local, etc.)
 
KAPLAN: I’m looking for a school that does a good job of balancing the workload for both baseball and school. The quality of training facilities the baseball field and having access to them are important to me. Also I’m looking for the coaches to help take me to the next level and teach the game the right way.

PBR: How did you do your Junior year? What were your high school statistics? And how did your team do?
 
KAPLAN: I played for Liberty North and we had a great team and season including being ranked 1 in the state in class 5 for several weeks. I had a good year making 1stteam all conference batting .426 on the year and I had 34 RBI, 14 doubles, and 4 HRs. 

PBR: What are you goals for your junior/senior season?
 
KAPLAN: I’ll be a senior this coming year and topping last years numbers would be great but the last thing on my mind. I plan to continue to work very hard on my game. I want to be known as much for my defense as I am for my hitting. I want to get my teammates to work harder too. I think if we do the things we’re supposed to do we can make a solid run at state. That would be a great way to go out.

PBR: What travel team do you play for? Are you playing fall ball with a team?
 
KAPLAN: I played summer ball for the Kansas City Cougars 17u. The coaches run the program more like a college team and they have put us in a great position to make our own success. It has been a great experience. I will also be playing with them in a pretty busy fall schedule as well.   
 
PBR: Do you play any other sports?

KAPLAN:I gave up football and basketball to focus fully on baseball. 

PBR: What are your ACT and GPA?

KAPLAN: I carry a 3.9 and my ACT was 19 but I will be taking it again.

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