Name: Logan Plunkett
School: Westview High School
Grad Year: 2022
GPA: 4.0 wt.
Summer Team: Gunderson 18u
Positions: Pitcher/Utility
Throw: Right
Hit: Right
1. What are some areas of your game that you have been focusing on lately to improve upon?
Currently I’m really working on keeping good hand speed on my curveball and change up. It will set me up well to be able to throw a 4 seamer up, curveball or change up at the bottom of the zone, and then also be able to play my sinker and slider in and out on guys at the bottom of the zone. In the weight room my coach with Tread Athletics has me focusing on plyometrics and speed in all of my movements so that I can increase tempo on the mound. Mentally I’m really working on my pre pitch routine, really gathering myself, envisioning what I’m trying to do, taking a deep breath, and executing.
2. What are some goals and dreams you hope to reach in the next couple of years?
My goal is to attend a strong academic school that has a good business administration program. I have participated in the DECA program at my high school (placed 2nd in state and went to the international competition this year). From a baseball perspective I want to play somewhere that is highly competitive with a team that works as a cohesive unit all pulling together for success on and off the field. It would also be awesome if the program was one that went beyond just school and baseball and to be able to give back to the community and help those in need would be fantastic.
3. How long have you been playing baseball and what got you started in the game?
I’ve been playing baseball ever since I was 4 and what really got me into baseball was when I was 9, and I was playing for the all star team for my little league. We had entered into a Memorial Day tournament and after two games we were 0-2 and had lost by about 20 runs each game to club teams from Seattle . I wasn’t sad though, I was quite happy. It was my first experience of what real baseball was like, and I enjoyed it because it was a learning experience. It led to me joining club ball the next spring and I have devoted much time and effort since then so that I can continue playing at a high level for as long as I can.
4. What are some of your favorite things about the game of baseball?
Going off of the last question I love the competitiveness and also the learning of baseball. It’s a game that can humble anyone at any time, but it’s so great because it really represents life. No one can bat 1000, but if after you get out you learn and adjust, you can be successful at anything.
5. Who in your life has helped push you to be your best on the field?
My family has been everything I could ever ask for on my journey. They have been very supportive and have always provided me with the things I need to get better. From driving me to practices, taking me to games, throwing me batting practice, healthy meals, and always being there for me win or lose and I’m so thankful for their help.
6. Additional thoughts:
The pandemic affected everyone differently, but for me it was a blessing in disguise. It really allowed me to take a step back and think about what I wanted to do and what really mattered for me. Following a bad ankle injury in the fall of 2020, I couldn’t really move for a few months and started to fade away from my goals and aspirations. When the pandemic hit, it really made me question what I was doing and whether it would lead me on the path to where I wanted to be. This led to me starting training with Tread Athletics and waking up at 5am for months to go train on my own, rain or shine, from July 2020 and on I trained 6 days a week, running, lifting, throwing, swinging, fielding, doing yoga, and more for 2-5 hours a day along with working a summer job. It taught me a lot about what effort really is, and who really wants to see success. Since then I have increased my fastball velo 9 miles per hour, increased my exit velo by 10 miles per hour, and dropped my 60 by 0.6 seconds; all while maintaining a 4.38 GPA this school year taking a full course load including 4 AP classes. I’m hopeful for a program that will let me give it my all, bring my effort, energy, and learners mentality each and every day, and do what it takes to help the team win on and off the field.