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Q&A with KCKCC Commit 2B Easton Fortuna (Park Hill South, 2015)

October 22, 2014

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

Easton Fortuna (Park Hill South, 2015) is a 5-foot-8 150-pound 2B.  Fortuna will stay in the area to play college baseball, accepting an offer from Kansas City Kansas Community College.

At the Class of 2015 Game in August, Fortuna showed off his speed in game action, swiping two bags and running a 4.09 home-to-first. Defensively, it would be tough to find a player that plays harder.  He has quick feet and fluid hand that allow for a quick release on the infield.  He has a positional velo of 77 mph. Fortuna's swing level to extension and produces lined drives to the middle of the field.  He has an exit velo of 80 mph.

Fortuna played for the KC Cougars last summer, which features seven college commitments before the early signing period. This winter he be playing basketball for the Panthers and preparing for his final baseball season at Park Hill South. 

Here is a glimpse of how Fortuna chose Kansas City Kansas Community College.

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

Fortuna: I just went with the flow and let things happen. I thought it was pretty easy but stressful at times.

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

Fortuna: Yes, it was important to me that my family was able to watch me play.

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

Fortuna: Coach Sharp coached my summer team for the last few years so he got to know me well and was able to watch me develop.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in Missouri, and why?

Fortuna: Alex Lange. He was in our conference and I had to face him as a sophomore and as a junior. He had good velo and commanded a tough breaking pitch.

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

Fortuna: I wanted to go to a program that I knew would help me develop. I wanted to grow physically and improve all parts of my game. 

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

Fortuna: Size doesn’t matter!. Work hard and never quit. Set your goals and push yourself everyday to reach them.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Fortuna: I play Basketball at Park Hill South and will start hitting a month before the high school season.

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

Fortuna: Being selected to Team USSSA and traveling to Prague to play in an international tournament against their national teams.

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

Fortuna: The field and locker room are outstanding, I like the program that they have put together to make players better. Everything was about how they can help me get better and reach my goals. The key factors were location and the belief that the coaches wanted to make me a better player, not just win games.

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

Fortuna: MO West, Washburn, Coffeyville, and Butler

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? 

Fortuna: I had an outstanding tournament at MO West in July and a lot of coaches saw me play. After that weekend, I started getting more attention.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals? Name some players that will play a key role for Park Hill South in 2015.

Fortuna: I’m excited about this season. I think we have a great chance of advancing deep into the playoffs. Our pitching staff will be anchored by fellow KCK commit Jake Purl and Lindenwood commit Eli Patterson. We have some big sticks with Richard Fullerton and Andrew Richards.

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

Fortuna: I play for the Kansas City Cougars. I think just growing up playing with most of these guys for a long time. It has been fun being around guys that are all going into college baseball. We have had 7 guys commit so far and will have more to come.

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