By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher. Selected as the National League starter for the 2024 All Star Game.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 247
DOB: May 29, 2002 In: Fullerton, CA
First Baseball Memory: T-ball when I was six or seven years old.
Baseball Inspirations: That’s something that my family has always done. Not at this level. My dad (Craig) was a baseball player. That was our sport, not basketball or football. Baseball is something I was always drawn to.
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: I remember going to Arizona Fall League when I was ten. I watched (Mike) Trout and (Bryce) Harper play on the same team. I remember I got Trout’s autograph.
Last Book Read: I’m in the middle of Hidden Potential by Adam Grant. Last one I completed… I don’t remember. I just listened to Relentless again on audio books, by Tim Grover.
Current Car: Ram 1500 (white).
Greatest Sports Moment (so far): Winning College World Series (with LSU in 2023, was named Most Outstanding Player of the series).
Most Painful Moment: Probably getting bounced in Regionals against Texas my sophomore year.
Favorite Uniforms: Pirates [smiles].
Favorite Ballparks: Omaha was cool. LSU Stadium was cool. Favorite trip last year was Old Miss, cool park. But looking forward to seeing these (MLB) parks.
Why Do You Love Baseball: Gives me a purpose every day. I can win and get better at it.
Strangest Game: We gave up a thirty spot my sophomore year on Senior Day. At Air Force we gave up thirty runs which wasn’t fun. So that was a long one.
Favorite Sport Outside Baseball: I like watching football. But I’m a very casual fan. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t have a team. I’m pretty much just baseball.
Favorite Athletes To Watch: Mahomes for sure. I like watching Snell, Gerrit Cole compete. Ohtani. All those guys, love watching them compete. Their poise, how they go about their business.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate.
Favorite Artist: Depends on the day. Of all time, it’s probably George Strait. Right now – Charles Wesley Godwin.
Most Memorable Pitch: I don’t have one.
Embarrassing Career Memory: Not that anyone remembers but getting picked off or like bad pic or something like that.
People Qualities Most Admired: Hard-working. Poise, especially under pressure. Being consistent every day. Showing up, being the same person. Not being too high or too low.