Future Jayhawk Q&A

 

In November, Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced his 2011-2012 signing class with the Jayhawks.

Throughout the season we will conducts Q&A’s with the future Jayhawks, who have signed the National Letter of Intent with KU during the November signing period.

Our Sixth Q&A is with Cody Kukuk from Lawrence, Kansas.

Kukuk, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound left-handed pitcher from Free State High School, is ranked as the No. 3 high school player in Kansas by Perfect Game USA. He was last year's Class 6A Kansas State Player of the Year, as well as the Sunflower League's Player of the Year. He was also the Kansas Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year.

Kukuk threw a no-hitter against Shawnee Mission East on April 19th.

• Following the recruiting process, why did you decide to sign with the Jayhawks?

I have grown up around this area always being a Jayhawk fan. I have played at Hoaglund since my Freshman year at Free State and became familiar with the coaches. It seemed like a good fit for me.

• Did you make a visit to Lawrence, and what was your most memorable moment or place you remember from your trip?

I live in Lawrence so it wasn’t new but I would say my favorite part was getting to know the players.

• What would you like to major in at Kansas?

Undecided

• Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

My Parents

• What is one thing Jayhawk fans would be surprised to know about you?

I was home schooled until 5th grade

• What is your most memorable sports moment you have been involved in?

Representing the Midwest at the Area Code Games and being Area Code Champions

• Favorite Major League Baseball team and player? Why?

Team- Texas Rangers

Player- Cliff Lee because he is a dominant left handed pitcher and fun to watch.

• What do you bring personally to the Jayhawk program?

I will give 100% all the time, be a good teammate and

do whatever to win

• Do you have any superstitions when playing the game?

I sleep with my bat before games

• Besides sports what are your hobbies?

Fishing and hunting.

• What do you look to get out of your Jayhawk experience?

I want to become a better player and help the Jayhawks become successful.

• What teams are playing for this spring and summer?

Will be playing for Free State High School in the spring and then be playing for Brett Lisher team in the summer.

• If you were not playing baseball what would you be doing?

Go to college just as a student.

• If you had to be something other than a baseball player what would it be?

Be a professional fisherman.

• What is your favorite thing about Kansas Baseball?

Coaches are great and nice facilities.

Live Blog: Kansas vs. Creighton at TD Ameritrade Park

Welcome our live blog coverage of Kansas vs. Creighton on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30 PM.  The blog will go live a few minutes before Tuesdays's first pitch between Kansas and Creighton at TD Ameritrade Park.  We hope you will enjoy and participate in this blog.  Here are just a few ground rules:

 

Please use your real name, first names only are okay. No screen names, handles or guest/anonymous posting allowed. Please feel free to include your home town with your name as well. 

 

This is a moderated chat so not all comments will make it through -- if more than one person asks a similar question or post, we'll pick one. Since this is just like a digital fan section, we'd ask you to keep it family friendly with the comments with good sportsmanship.  We reserve the right to edit comments for language before posting.

 

Finally, all are welcome -- including our opponent fans. We appreciate the perspective you can bring to the game.

Autographs in the Dugout

After defeating #4 Texas 4 - 2 on Saturday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark the Jayhawks took a few minutes to sign autographs for several young fans. 

Promotions Update: Texas

Kansas Baseball will host the Texas Longhorns April 21 - 23 at Hoglund Ballpark.  The Jayhawks are fourth in Big 12 Conference standings while Texas comes into the series in the conference's top spot. 

Here's a look at upcoming  promotion's for this weekend's games.





Thursday, April 21 @ 6:00 PM

Buy One Get One Free: Purchase one admission and receive one free of charge.

Negro Leagues Museum Display: First Base Concourse (weather permitting)

Friday, April 22 @ 6:00 PM

Jayhawk Seat Cushion Giveaway for the first 500 fans.

Bring Your "A" Grade: Free admission for students who show a grade of A on any school assignment, test or report card.

Negro Leagues Museum Display: First Base Concourse (weather permitting)

Saturday, April 23 @ 1:00 PM

Millard Management Day: First 500 kids ages 13 and younger receive a free baseball hat courtesy of Millard Management.

Family Fun and Food Day: 4 Tickets, 4 Popcorns and 4 Drinks for just $40.

Youth Baseball Day: $3 Admission for all kids wearing a youth baseball jersey.

First 100 kids receive a free set of Kansas Baseball Trading Cards

Kids can take the field with the Jayhawks for the National Anthem and after the game can run the bases and get autographs in the dugout.

Negro Leagues Museum Display: First Base Concourse (weather permitting)

Jayhawks in the Pros

Kansas Baseball has several alumni in the pro ranks this spring and kuathletics.com will have all the latest updates as the season progresses.

Jayhawks in MLB:

Left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny took a loss in his first start of the season for the Washington Nationals on April 9 against the New York Mets. Gorzelanny, who pitched at KU in 2002, went 5 1/3 innings and allowed five runs on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He is in his first season with the Nats after spending time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in his six-year Major League career. 

Jayhawks in AAA:

Left-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski is off to a good start for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Zagurski, who pitched at KU from 2004-05, is 1-0 in two appearances this season and hasn’t allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings. The left-handed reliever earned his first victory of the year against Syracuse, retiring all four men he faced in 1 1/3 innings of work. He was a 12^th-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005.

Continue Reading Jayhawks in the Pros

Future Jayhawks Q&A

KU Baseball NLI Signee Wes Benjamin

In November, Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced his 2011-2012 signing class with the Jayhawks.

Throughout the season we will conducts Q&A’s with the future Jayhawks, who have signed the National Letter of Intent with KU during the November signing period.

Our fifth Q&A is with Wes Benjamin from St. Charles, Illinois.

Benjamin, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed pitcher from St. Charles East High School, is the No. 15-ranked high school player out of the state of Illinois according to Perfect Game USA. Benjamin posted a 13-2 record in 16 appearances last season. He recorded a 1.26 ERA and struck out 112 in 83 1/3 innings. He was also named the Kane County Chronicle High School Player of the Year as well as an all-state selection by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches' Association.

• Following the recruiting process, why did you decide to sign with the Jayhawks?

Skip and Coach Graves won me over right away, and I loved the idea of playing in the Big 12. I also have an uncle that lives in KC so it started to all come together. As soon as I got on campus, saw the field, and met some of the players, I knew this was where I wanted to be

• Did you make a visit to Lawrence, and what was your most memorable moment or place you remember from your trip?

My family and I made a trip to KU the weekend of the Georgia Tech football game and getting to storm the field after the win was incredible.  That night we went out with some of the players and coaches and Jordan Jakubov ordered a round of chocolate covered bacon– I won’t forget that either.

• What would you like to major in at Kansas?

Pre-Physical Therapy

• Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

I have many people to thank - my parents, coaches and friends.

• What is one thing Jayhawk fans would be surprised to know about you?

That’s a tough question to answer. I guess I don’t have any big surprises about me besides I love to make people laugh.    

• What is your most memorable sports moment you have been involved in?

Being able to pitch at Wrigley Field was one of the greatest baseball moments I’ve been apart of, and will never forget.

• Favorite Major League Baseball team and player? Why?

The Chicago Cubs are my team.  Wrigley Field has a great atmosphere and game day experience. Currently, I would have to say that my favorite player is Cliff Lee because he can just flat-out pitch. Someone who I strive to become one day.

• What do you bring personally to the Jayhawk program?

I hope to bring a sense of intelligence and dominance to the mound when I pitch, and also to keep things fun.

• Do you have any superstitions when playing the game?

Nothing real serious, but I always lace up my left shoe first on game day.

• Besides sports what are your hobbies?

My interests involve mostly sports related activities when I’m not playing baseball, but I like hanging out with friends,

• What do you look to get out of your Jayhawk experience?

I am excited to be a part of such a good recruiting class, and would love to have a shot at playing with the Jayhawks in the CWS playoffs someday, as well as building lifelong friendships here.

• What teams are you playing for this spring and summer?

I will be playing for my high school, St. Charles East, this spring and will play for the Downers Grove Longshots in the summer.

    

• If you were not playing baseball what would you be doing?

I stopped playing football (QB / Punter-Kicker) and basketball after my sophomore year, so I assume I’d be trying to play one of them instead. I look forward to watching them at KU.

• If you had to be something other than a baseball player what would it be?

I have been looking into Physical Therapy, so it’s definitely a possibility for a future career.

• What is your favorite thing about Kansas Baseball?

It’s hard to pick just one thing. The coaching staff, players, camaraderie, and just the overall atmosphere of the game are incredible. I’m excited to be apart of it all soon.

Jayhawk Scrapbook

Jayhawk Scrapbook from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Brunansky: Big 12 Player of the Week

Kansas junior center fielder Jason Brunansky has been named Big 12 Player of the Week for the Week of April 11. This marks the first time in his career that Brunansky has earned the conference’s player of the week award and the first Jayhawk to take home the honor this year.

Continue reading on kuathletics.com

Big12Sports.com release

Future Jayhawks Q&A

KU Baseball NLI signee Justin Protacio

In November, Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced his 2011-2012 signing class with the Jayhawks.

Throughout the season we will conducts Q&A’s with the future Jayhawks, who have signed the National Letter of Intent with KU during the November signing period.

Our fourth Q&A is with Justin Protacio from Honolulu, Hawaii. 

Protacio, a 5-foot-6, 155-pound infielder from Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii, hit .442 with 12 stolen bases last season. He has been named all-state at second base in each of the last two years as well as first team All-Interscholastic League. As a freshman, he helped his school to a state championship and a runner-up finish at the West Region finals.

• Following the recruiting process, why did you decide to sign with the Jayhawks?

KU was my best division one scholarship offer, so I took my visit up to Lawrence and loved every second of it.  After the visit and meeting the staff I knew it was the program for me and it would be a perfect fit for me.  Coach Price demonstrated a great recruiting process, and it really helped to have two other Hawaii boys on the team. 

• Did you make a visit to Lawrence, and what was your most memorable moment or place you remember from your trip?

Yes, I did make my visit to Lawrence in September.  Besides the crazy plane ride from Oahu, I enjoyed the football game and all the Jayhawk fans that were in attendance.

• What would you like to major in at Kansas?

Athletic Training/Kinesiology

• Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

My parents, they have built a solid foundation for me from day one.

• What is one thing Jayhawk fans would be surprised to know about you?

Me and Ka’iana (currently on the team) played for rival schools last spring.  Also, I am not a big fan of mash potatoes.

• What is your most memorable sports moment you have been involved in?

Going to the Junior League World Series in 2006 and receiving a baseball scholarship from KU.

• Favorite Major League Baseball team and player? Why?

           I don’t really have a favorite team.  I do have two favorite all time players: Rickey

           Henderson and Shane Victorino.  Rickey because of the way he dominated the game.   

           Shane because he is a local boy, undersized like me, and plays hard all the time.

• What do you bring personally to the Jayhawk program?

100% effort every time I step onto the field.  A winning attitude to prove others that my height will not stop me from being successful.

• Do you have any superstitions when playing the game?

          
I like to eat pasta, drink a lot of water, and do yoga before a game.

• Besides sports what are your hobbies?

Going to the beach and attending reggae concerts.

• What do you look to get out of your Jayhawk experience?

I want to mature as a person and as a baseball player.  Learn how to take care of myself because my family will be thousands of miles away.  Most importantly, I would like to get my degree and have a great baseball career.

• What teams are playing for this spring and summer?

This Spring I am playing for my high school team (Mid-Pacific Institute), and this summer I will be going to Japan for a month with the Hawaiian Island Movers Baseball Team to play Japanese college teams.

• If you were not playing baseball what would you be doing?

I would probably be trying to start up my own reggae band.

• If you had to be something other than a baseball player what would it be?

Athletic Trainer

• What is your favorite thing about Kansas Baseball?

          
Everything about the program, especially the competition and other tough teams

           within the conference.

Jayhawks in the Pros

Kansas Baseball has several alumni in the pro ranks this spring and kuathletics.com will have all the latest updates as the season progresses.

Jayhawks in MLB:

·     Left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny is opening his seventh big league season with the Washington Nationals after being traded from the Chicago Cubs during the offseason. Gorzelanny, who played at KU in 2002, went 7-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 23 starts for the Cubs last season.

Jayhawks in AAA:

·     Left-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski is looking to get back to the major leagues, but will open the 2011 season in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs of the International League. Zagurski, who played at KU from 2004-05, went 2-3 in Triple-A last season with a 3.27 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings. He also pitched in eight games for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2010 season.

Continue Reading Jayhawks in the Pros.

Jayhawks for a Cure

Join Kansas Baseball in the fight against cancer on Saturday, April 9 as the Jayhawks host Nebraska in their annual Jayhawks for a Cure game at 2:00 PM.  The Jayhawks look to raise prostate cancer awareness and funding for all cancer treatment and research at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center. 

KU Baseball wears light blue armbands
for prostate cancer awareness.

Once again, the team will wear light blue armbands and fans wearing light blue will be admitted for $3.  In addition the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Jayhawks for a Cure bracelet.  Donations will be accepted at the promotions table on the home plate concourse to support cancer treatement and research at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center.

For more information or to download a donation form visit the Jayhawks for a Cure page.


Nebraska Series Promotions:

Friday, April 8 @ 6:00 PM
Bring Your "A" Grade: Free admission for students 13 and younger who show an "A" grade on a school project, paper, test or report card.

KU Students: The first 200 KU students receive a voucher for a free corndog and candy.

Saturday, April 9 @ 2:00 PM
Jayhawks for a Cure

Kids take the field for the National Anthem

Sunday, April 10 @ 1:00 PM
Family Fun and Food Day: 4 Tickets, 4 Popcorns and 4 Drinks for just $40. 

Youth Baseball Day: $3 Admission for all kids wearing a youth baseball jersey.

Kids Day: First 100 kids receive a free set of Kansas Baseball trading cards.  Kids can take the field with the Jayhawks for the National Anthem and can run the bases and get autographs in the dugout after the game.

Live Blog: Kansas vs. Missouri at Kauffman Stadium

Welcome to our first ever live blog.  The blog will go live a few minutes before Wendesday's first pitch between Kansas and Missouri at Kauffman Stadium.  We hope you will enjoy and participate in this blog.  Here are just a few ground rules:

 

Please use your real name, first names only are okay. No screen names, handles or guest/anonymous posting allowed. Please feel free to include your home town with your name as well. 

 

This is a moderated chat so not all comments will make it through -- if more than one person asks a similar question or post, we'll pick one. Since this is just like a digital fan section, we'd ask you to keep it family friendly with the comments with good sportsmanship.  We reserve the right to edit comments for language before posting.

 

Finally, all are welcome -- including our opponent fans. We appreciate the perspective you can bring to the game.

Big12Sports.com Video: Kansas Pitcher T.J. Walz

In case you missed it, check out this video feature on Kansas pitcher T.J. Walz from Big12Sports.com.

Jayhawk Scrapbook

Last week we posted the first of our Jayhawk Scrapbook videos that play on the Hoglund Ballpark videoboard.  If you missed it check it out here.  Below are a couple more Jayhawk Scrapbook videos that have been featured during recent games.  See if you can figure out who the features Jayhawks are before the end.


Jayhawk Scrapbook from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Jayhawk Scrapbook from Kansas Jayhawks on Vimeo.

Jimmy Waters' Favorite Places to Play

Senior outfielder Jimmy Waters is back to talk about some of his favorite places to play including Olsen Field at Texas A&M and Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium.  The Jayhawks will meet Border Showdown rival Missouri at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday at 5:30 PM.  For those of you that can't make it to the game, the Kansas Baseball Blog will be bringing you all the action in our first ever live blog.  Check back here on Wednesday or look for the event reminder box in the right sidebar to signup.

One of the great things about playing in the Big 12 are the different stadiums you get to play in. Playing in these venues is an experience I will remember forever. We recently got the chance to play at Texas A&M, which to me is the best place to play in the conference.

Kansas at Texas A&M

The surroundings of the ballpark, which include the university recreation center, indoor football facilities, the train tracks behind the outfield fence in right, and the tailgaters in left field sitting on their pickups trying to heckle the left fielder (which happened to be me), are something special.

The upper deck student section is always trying to get into opposing players’ heads, which makes it a tough place to play. That type of environment can crumble a player if he is scared. On the other hand, it can bring out the best in a player.

During the Friday night series opener at A&M, people who were at the stadium or watching got to see T.J. Walz be absolutely special. Walking onto a mound and pitching is already hard enough to do. Then put on top of that, you’re going up against an All-American and projected first round draft pick, you have to deal with 5,000 Aggie fans  who were chanting “TEEEEEEEEEE JAAAAAAAAAAY” every minute, and making other comments about you and your family that you must not let get to you.

T.J. walked onto that mound and struck out the side in the first inning, and I knew that it was on. I thought that would be enough to quiet the crowd for a while, but that’s what makes Texas A&M pretty special, they were right back at it when T.J. came out of the dugout to pitch in the second inning and they were on him the whole game. I have gotten to see T.J. pitch for four years now and he has had some very impressive outings, but that game ranks at the top for me.  I’d take T.J. every Friday night going up against anyone in any environment, that’s how impressed I have been with him.

Jimmy at Kauffman Stadium in 2010

Being so close to Kansas City also allows us to play in one of the best major league ballparks in Kauffman Stadium. It’s not every day that you get to play in a major league park and when you get that opportunity, you want to play your best. We are lucky to get this chance. Every year we get to face off against our rival Missouri at Kauffman, which puts a little more on the line being at a big league ballpark. In my three years we have not lost to Missouri at Kauffman and I hope we will make it four years in a row.  I remember  two years ago when the crowd at Kauffman started the Rock Chalk Chant before the last out was recorded and it just made the Missouri crowd quiet, even Missouri’s super fan Pat, who is never quiet. It should be a great game and I encourage fans to come and see a competitive baseball game at a great venue. 




Below are my lists of my favorite places that I’ve gotten to play at as a Jayhawk:

Favorite Places to play in the BIG 12
1. Texas A&M
2. Texas
3. Nebraska
4. Baylor
5. Oklahoma
6. Kansas State
7. Oklahoma State
8. Missouri
9. Texas Tech
*Based on stadium, crowd atmosphere, surroundings, and playing surface.
**Kansas not included

Top 5 Favorite Non Conference places to play
1. LSU
2. Arkansas
3. North Carolina
4. Wichita State
5. Vanderbilt/Missouri State

Top 5 Favorite Places to play (non school affiliated)
1. Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals)
2. Rosenblatt Stadium (College World Series/Creighton)
3. Bricktown Stadium (Big 12 Tournament)
4. Surprise Stadium (Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals Spring Training facility)
5. Peoria Stadium (Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres Spring Training facility)

Border Showdown at Kauffman Stadium

Kansas Baseball will meet Border Showdown rival Missouri at Kauffman Stadium on
Wednesday, April 6.  Tickets are on sale through the Kansas City Royals box office
and will grant you admission to Kauffman Stadium for the Royals - White Sox
game at 1:10 PM and the Kansas - Missouri game at 5:30 PM.  The Jayhawks defeated the Tigers in their last two meetings at Kauffman Stadium in 2009 and 2010. 
Get your tickets by calling 800-6ROYALS or visiting kcroyals.com.