Ryan Kellogg (Whitby, ON) played a major role in helping the Junior National Team to a silver medal at last September’s IBAF 18U World Championship in South Korea. Turning in exceptional performances on the mound in key victories over Japan and the United States, Kellogg proved to be one of the top pitchers at the event.
Following the tournament it was off to Tempe, Arizona where Ryan began life as a student-athlete with the storied Arizona State Sun Devils. ASU has long list of alumni who have gone on to successful careers in the big-leagues including current MLB stars Dustin Pedroia and Ian Kinsler, and baseball legends Reggie Jackson and Barry Bonds.
Ryan was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions about his first five months at school and the busy baseball season ahead.
BC: How was the first semester of University? What was fall baseball season like? How much time do you dedicate per week to baseball in the fall?
RK: I really enjoyed my first semester of college. It was a really great experience getting to live on my own, meeting the team, making friends around campus from on my dorm floor and from classes. The fall baseball season essentially had two parts to it due to NCAA rules. At first we were pretty limited as to how much time we were allowed to spend with coaches so those were relatively short practices with a lot of work being done on our own in order to get better. The second part came in November when we were allowed 18 hours per week with coaches. This meant that we would practice 3 hours per day for 6 days then get 1 day off. The off day was usually Saturday if the football team had a home game. These practices ended with scrimmages in order to allow hitters to see live pitching and so pitchers, as well as position players, can work on game like situations. As for time spent dedicated to baseball, we worked out for about an hour, 3 times per week. Meetings were held most days although they were pretty short, basically covered what the day would consist of, what’s expected, signs, and anything else the coaches saw as important.
BC: As a student enrolled in a demanding program like Mechanical Engineering, how has the balance been between school work and being a varsity athlete?
RK: The balance between athletics and academics is definitely something that is very important as a student-athlete. As for making it work, time management becomes very important and you learn very quickly to stay on top of assignments. The baseball coaching staff here at ASU works really hard with our academic advisors, tutors, mentors, etc. to make sure we have all the resources we need in order to succeed although it is up to us to make sure that all the work gets done. Luckily for me, most of my classes were similar to the ones I took in high school so that helped a lot for the first semester knowing that I can handle the workload as well as the time needed to be spent at the field.
BC: What are the team’s expectations/goals for the coming season? What are your goals for your freshman season? Have they told you what your role will be yet?
RK: This team expects to win a National Champion ship every year, simple as that. We are all here, working hard, working as a team to accomplish that goal. We have a little more motivation this year since we are now eligible again for the post season (after sanction were placed on the ASU baseball program in 2010) and because our rival, the University of Arizona, won it last year. My goal for this year is to help my team win a National Championship. Ideally I would like to start but I will take on any role the coaches give me, and at this point my role has not yet been defined. Although at this point it looks like I will likely be in the bullpen.
BC: After your season with ASU ends, where will you be playing this summer?
RK: This summer I will be playing in Bourne, Massachusetts for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
BC: What has impressed you most about your new team thus far?
RK: I’ve been impressed by a lot of things with regards to my new team so far. All the guys in the clubhouse have great team chemistry which is always good to have not just for on the field but off the field too. The coaches have also been incredible. They are very helpful on the field to make sure we learn and get better as well as making sure we take care of our business off the field too. There are a lot of talented players here but one that has been very impressive is RHP Trevor Williams. He had a great season for ASU last year and threw well all fall - definitely someone to watch for the 2013 draft.
BC: What are your living arrangements like? What has been the biggest adjustment living on your own?
RK: Living arrangements are the standard college dorm rooms that every college student gets to experience. In our building we have what is called ‘suite-style’ which is 2 rooms joined by a bathroom. My roommate and I share the bathroom with our suitemates (one temporarily swam for ASU and the other is a wrestler for ASU). As for the room itself, it’s the basic college dorm, 2 beds, desks, mini fridge and our TV - we’ve got all the essentials.
The biggest adjustment to living on my own is knowing that I have to be more independent. I’ve always been independent but now it’s mandatory. I know I have my family and friends to help me if I need them, but it’s a little more difficult for them to help me when I’m so far away. Since I’m so far away, it was also an adjustment getting used to being so far from my comfort zone. Greg Hamilton and the coaches of the Junior National Team did a great job of teaching me to play outside of my comfort zone and that definitely helped me when I came this far from home. The climate change also took some getting used to. Going from Canadian weather to living in a desert was also an adjustment that took some getting used to.
Ryan and the Sun Devils will open the 2013 season on February 15th when Bethune-Cookman visits Packard Stadium in Tempe for a three-game series.
You can follow Ryan’s season by visiting the ASU Athletics website – www.thesundevils.com
