Follow Friday Q&A with Daniel Susac
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This is the fifth installment of the Arizona Baseball 2020 Follow Friday series, in which we will highlight each member of the incoming 2020 class of student-athletes looking to make their mark at Hi Corbett Field. Get to know our newest Wildcats with the below Q&A, and when you're done be sure to follow them on social media to stay connected.
This week's feature focuses on incoming freshman Daniel Susac, a catcher from Jesuit High School in Roseville, California.
Previous editions of Follow Friday: Jacob Berry | Kyle Casper | Chase Davis | Riley Cooper
Q: What made you choose Arizona?
A: I would say I chose Arizona because of the coaches and the winning tradition. It's been a very powerful baseball program, especially recently, and it's definitely a team on the rise. Also there's coach Johnson, one of the best hitting coaches in the country, and coach Yeskie, one of the best pitching coaches in the country. Those two combining forces was really appealing.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most in your first year at Arizona?
A: Just getting to play again. After a shortened season last year, just getting back to games and the goal of winning a championship will be great.
Q: What achievement from your baseball career so far are you most proud of?
A: I think Cooperstown my 12-year-old year. We lost in the championship, but being with those teammates and making it all the way to the finals with the same group of guys I played with for four or five years, being one of two teams from 104 to make it to the end, that's probably what I'm most proud of.
Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game?
A: I would say my hitting. I have always had the natural ability to take a pitch where it is and hit it that way, pull or opposite field. So that, and adjusting to offspeed pitches.
Q: Who influenced you to get into baseball?
A: My dad introduced me to the game, and my brothers were probably my biggest influences in it. Ever since a young age I have loved playing baseball. I played baseball, basketball, football, and soccer but baseball is always what I knew I wanted to do.
Q: If you weren't playing baseball, what sport would you most want to play?
A: Football, definitely. I was a quarterback in high school, so from that perspective I liked being the leader of the field and having the offense in your own command. Also the feeling of taking the field on Friday nights is special, you're amped up and ready to go.
Q: If you could have one MLB player's skill, what would it be?
A: The defensive ability of J.T. Realmuto. His ability to steal a strike basically every other pitch and take over the game there is huge. Also when runners are on base I think he has the fastest average pop time in the league, so he can make his pitchers feel comfortable in any situation.
Q: If you could face one Major League Baseball player right now, who would it be and why?
A: I'm going to go with Jacob deGrom, because my brother (Andrew) told me that he's the toughest pitcher he ever had to face — he said his stuff is disgusting, it just gets on you much faster than you're expecting. So I would want to face him just to show up my brother and see if I could hit anything better.
Q: What are some of your non-baseball hobbies you enjoy spending free time on?
A: Hanging out with my friends is the main one, spending time with our group of friends from high school. I also like to bowl a lot, surprisingly; I started to like it a couple years ago and now I do it a lot during the offseason. Would also have to add in ping pong.
Q: What does your pregame/gameday routine look like?
A: Early in the day I'll go work out to get my blood flowing. Once I show up to the field I'll usually hit first and then stretch for catching later. Stretching helps out mobility wise and then I can get my arm warm. Usually my pregame music depends on the day, sometimes it's country music sometimes it's rap, it comes down to whatever mood I'm in.
Quick Hits:
Favorite baseball player: Paul Goldschmidt
Favorite MLB team: St. Louis Cardinals
Favorite baseball movie: The Sandlot
Favorite gameday snack: Jamba Juice
Favorite TV show: Breaking Bad
Favorite movie: Shutter Island