Q&A with Iowa Commit Kyle Alivo
January 4, 2023
RHP Kyle Alivo (St. Thomas More, 2024) has always been an intriguing prospect to our staff, but throughout this past year, he took it to another level. This started in the winter at the Milwaukee Preseason ID, where it seemed like Alivo added a few inches to his already long frame and put together one of the day's better ‘pens. Then into the spring, Alivo was a key piece on a talented Cavalier squad which paved the way for him to completely break out in the summer. After twirling an impressive simulated inning at our Top Prospect Games MKE event, Alivo earned an invite to our most prestigious event of the year, the 2022 PBR Future Games, which takes place down our LakePoint campus. This was where Alivo firmly planted himself as one of the top arms in the state after one of the most eye opening appearances of the day.
Alivo’s break-out year culminated in his commitment to the University of Iowa shortly following the Future Games. We had the opportunity to ask Alivo a number of questions regarding his commitment process and other baseball related topics, too.
LATEST SCOUTING REPORT
Kyle Alivo
Class of 2024 / RHP
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2024
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Primary Position: RHPSecondary Position: SS
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High School: St. Thomas MoreState: WI
- Summer Team: Prospect Training Academy
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Height: 6-1Weight: 164.7lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Videos
(7/27/22)
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?What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Alivo: I wasn’t really too sure what to expect in the recruiting process, but my recruiting coordinator Mike Thrun, helped me write messages to several different coaches to introduce myself and get my name out there. More than anything my goal was to compete at the division one level, at a place that the coaches were really invested in me and I felt would help me succeed at the next level.
P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
A: Yes, I wanted an opportunity to play at a place where I could drive home if I wanted and my family would be able to be at games.
P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
A: I had some interest from schools throughout the summer but it really started to heat up after the future games where I had the opportunity to play in front of a lot of coaches. Iowa first saw me at their prospect camp last October then they came to watch me play at the PBR National Championships at Lakepoint as well as the Future Games.
P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
A: The things I really liked about Iowa was that the coaches spent a lot of time on calls with me going over how they develop players. I also really liked the relationship between the coaches and players and it seemed to be a great culture that I would like to be a part of.
P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
A: My final decision came down to Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan, Xavier and Wichita State.
P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?
A: I think one of the best bats I ever faced was C Dominic Kibler (2023; Kent State commit) from New Berlin West. I faced him in the high school season he put together really good at bats and it was tough to get the ball past him.
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?
A: At the beginning of freshman year I was sick and tired of being the smallest guy and the guy that threw slow so I decided to work really hard to try and throw hard enough to help my team win and catch attention. This all eventually happened the summer before junior year and that’s when I realized that I had enough dedication to continue to develop myself to be a college level baseball player.
P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
A: I would say no matter what build you are there is always room for development, lifting weights and constantly being in the facility has really helped me. If you just put your heart and your mind to it and fall in love with the work you will accomplish your goals.
P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
A: This high school season was very memorable to me because of several different reasons. We went on a 11 game win streak, beat a couple ranked opponents and also got into the rankings. Also accomplishing a life long goal of committing to a D1 school.
P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?
A: I’m really looking forward to this highschool season because I feel like we have a lot of talent this year. We are returning 7 starters from last year and I also feel like we will be a contender state wide. #rollcavs
P: How did the Future Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event?
A: The Future Games had a huge role in my recruitment process. I had multiple schools reach out to me the first day, then over the course of the next few weeks I had 15 plus coaches in contact with me.
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?
A: I would definitely steal my boy SS Alex Alicea’s (St. Thomas More, 2023; Louisville commit) speed because he is extremely quick.
P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?
A: I would say 3 players that everyone should look out for are OF/RHP Luke Lenhen (Sussex Hamilton) and MIF Nate Glapa (Sussex Hamilton), they are 2025’s at PTA with a lot of potential as well as my little brother INF/RHP Brayden (St. Thomas More) who is a 2026.
RELATED CONTENT
Scouting Report
Alivo seems a couple of inches taller than his previously listed 6-foot and with extra long limbs and plenty of room to fill out the projection for this uncommitted arm is through the roof. Alivo is a name who has proven himself in front of our staff a handful of times before and during Tuesday’s talented event he did it once again. On the mound Alivo is an athletic mover and despite his long levers he surprisingly syncs them up nicely. During his one inning, Alivo ran his fastball up to 85.7 mph and sat in the 84-85 range throughout. He also showcased an above average three pitch mix which included an almost sweeping type breaking ball with nearly 18 inches of horizontal movement and also showed feel for a hard fading changeup.