Citizens’ Voice Baseball Player of the Year Dallas’ Brady Youngblood. Frank Lauri / contributing photographer
Citizens’ Voice Baseball Player of the Year Dallas’ Brady Youngblood. Frank Lauri / contributing photographer
Citizens’ Voice Baseball Player of the Year Dallas’ Brady Youngblood. Frank Lauri / contributing photographer
Citizens’ Voice Baseball Player of the Year Dallas’ Brady Youngblood. Frank Lauri / contributing photographer
Citizens’ Voice Baseball Player of the Year Dallas’ Brady Youngblood. Frank Lauri / contributing photographer
Citizens’ Voice Baseball Player of the Year Dallas’ Brady Youngblood. Frank Lauri / contributing photographer
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Citizens’ Voice Baseball Player of the Year Dallas’ Brady Youngblood. Frank Lauri / contributing photographer
With his powerful swing and cannon-like arm, Dallas catcher Brady Youngblood has the potential to change the complexion of a baseball game on either side of the field.
Whether standing in the batter’s box, flashing an imposing presence who can deliver the clutch hit when needed or working the pitcher for a walk, Youngblood, a junior, presents a difficult dilemma for anyone trying to get him out.
As for his work behind the plate, Youngblood can control a team’s running game and is a pitcher’s best friend when it comes to blocking balls in the dirt.
Having already given a verbal commitment to the University of Notre Dame, Youngblood’s best baseball is still in front of him. He has one more year left to play for the Mountaineers in the Wyoming Valley Conference and it will be a challenge for him to duplicate the numbers he put up this season in helping Dallas advance to the District 2 Class 5A championship game.
For his efforts, he was selected as The Citizens’ Voice Player of the Year. He recently sat down with The Citizens’ Voice high school baseball writer Steve Bennett to discuss a variety of topics.
What were the goals coming into the season: Just to lead the team as best as I could. I just wanted to be a role model for the kids on the team, as well as the younger kids. I give lessons to younger kids, and I believe the leadership role is important because it stands out on the field. It is important to me.
When did you feel baseball was a sport you could continue to play after high school: Going into my freshman year, I was a three-sport athlete. I played baseball, basketball and golfed. I played basketball the winter of my freshman year. That is when I realized with this baseball thing I might have a chance to go to the next level. That is when I started focusing on baseball to get stronger and put on weight. I still play golf in the fall. That is my break, it’s my rest from baseball.
People often say the golf swing messes with the baseball swing. Any truth to that: I hear that a lot, even from my older friends. I feel like my golf swing is my golf swing, and my baseball swing is my baseball swing. When I am golfing, I focus on the golf ball more. It’s almost like I bring it to my baseball swing. If I have been bad hitting the baseball, I can go play golf and I feel it helps my baseball swing.
What is the biggest aspect you want to improve on over the summer: I want to improve on becoming a better teammate. I always feel that I can take a bigger leadership role and strive to be that glue guy on a team. Every team needs a guy like that. I like to be the one to bring the team together. Our travel team has an awesome dynamic. When you start treating baseball like it’s a job, then it is not as much fun. When you have a guy that can bring the team together, you have a lot of fun playing baseball.
What’s the coolest park you have played in: I really like playing at PNC Field. I also like playing at LakePoint in Georgia.
What are your goals going forward: I have the college goal out of the way. I wanted to commit and get there. Just keep building my strength and skill. Hopefully one day to get drafted. That is a big goal. I’m mostly a catcher, I became a catcher when I was 10. I also play a little first base and a little third base.
Bat flip or just drop the bat, put the head down and start the home run trot: I like a little celebration if they are nice hits. The (grand slam) I hit at PNC Field is my favorite home run I ever hit. That was a little bat flip. The one at Valley West, I hit the building out in center field. It was either right at the doorway or on the room. That was a little bat flip. That was a good hit.
One pitcher you would love to have the chance to step in the box and face: I like Paul Skenes. His stuff is fun to watch. He is usually sitting 100 or 99 (mph) from pitch one until he gets pulled. He is awesome to watch. I would love to bat against him. It would take me a little bit. Probably 10 to 15 at-bats, but I would love to step in the box and see that high level and experience that.
Pick any runner you would want to throw out trying to steal a base: I will say my favorite throw outs are my best friends when they are on first base. We all talk smack before the game. If they get on first, I will tell them to go and throw them out. Sometimes they go and they make it. I love that friendly banter.