McCullers Q & A

Posted Aug 12, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Aug 12, 2010 at 02:44 PM

Jesuit baseball standout Lance McCullers has had a busy summer on the diamond, and he recently wrapped up a stint with the USA 18-and-under National Team. This Saturday, McCullers’ summer schedule will come to a close with an appearance at the Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field.

McCullers took some time for a quick Q & A before embarking on his first trip to the Windy City, which will culminate with the nationally-televised high school all-star game at 1 p.m. on MLB Network.

If you could real quick give me a quick recap of what your experience was like with the USA (18-and-under) National Team. I know you guys fell short of your goal but it was your first international experience and I’m sure it was something to remember.
It was disappointing because we didn’t make it to the gold medal game, or really any medal game (the U.S. was eliminated by Cuba in the medal round). But putting that aside, the experience of being able to play for my country and being able to represent my country was great. I met a lot of great guys that I probably will talk to for a long time. Even though we fell short of our goal at the end, the whole experience of being able to play for my country, meeting a lot of great people along the way, seeing how the United States really supported us while we were in the states and in Canada, that was a great experience.

What does it mean to you to play in this game, and what are you looking to gain from the experience?
When I got this invitation I was really excite, one because I’m an underclassmen and they don’t really get invites to these types of things. What I’m really looking forward to is to play and with some of the top prospects in the 2011 class. So going up there to Chicago, being able to play on national television, that’s great in itself, but being able to play alongside so many great players is a great way to cap off the summer.

Do you plan on doing any sight-seeing while you’re up there?
They gave us an itinerary and it’s pretty full. I get there and they kind of check me in and we have a nice dinner that night. The next day we actually are participating in a junior camp as mentors or camp counselors to a bunch of kids in Chicago. Then the next day we are going to the field, seeing the field, going to a game, I think it’s a White Sox game actually. Then we have our showcase day and then Saturday’s our game. So it’s pretty full. So as far as sight-seeing, I guess I’ll be seeing the Chicago White Sox field (U.S. Cellular Field) and Wrigley Field, but that’s probably all the sight-seeing I’ll be doing.

When you get into a game like this where it’s a showcase event with a lot of great players involved, is there more pressure in this because of that or is it less because it’s just an all-star game atmosphere and you guys just want to be out there having fun?
It’s kind of both. Being on national television and there will probably be a lot of scouts there, so of course you want to do well, but at the same time I’m just going to go up there and have fun and just play. I’m going to be alongside some of my friends from the USA team, so that will be a good time. There’s going to be some pressure because obviously you want to do well in front of everyone watching, but it’s also going to be a great experience and I’m looking forward to having a good time.

Have they told you what you will be going in the game? Will you be pitching, playing the field or both?
They told me I’m going to do both. They said I’ll get some innings in the infield, get an at-bat or two, and I’m going to pitch.

You’ve had a pretty busy summer. Are you looking forward to putting the glove and bat down a little bit and taking a break?
After I get back I’ll go pretty much right into (fall) ball at Jesuit. That kind of will be my continuous playing until I go to the underclass showcase in Fort Myers and in Jupiter in October. After that I will probably take about a month break. But I’m still going and looking forward to playing at Jesuit with my teammates again.