Follow Friday Q&A with Ryan Kysar
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This is the ninth installment of the Arizona Baseball 2020 Follow Friday series, in which we 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 Ryan Kysar, a right-handed pitcher from Valencia HS in Castaic, California.
Previous editions of Follow Friday: Jacob Berry | Kyle Casper | Chase Davis | Riley Cooper | Daniel Susac | TJ Nichols | Austin Smith | TJ Curd
Q: What made you choose Arizona?
A: I chose Arizona because it felt like home to me. I also knew it was the right fit after talking to the coaching staff and all the players. The structure of everything and just the way everyone carries themselves here really impressed me.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most in your first year at Arizona?
A: I'm really looking forward to earning a spot somewhere, be that in the bullpen, the rotation, or anywhere. That, and helping the team win as many games as possible to help us get to Omaha.
Q: What achievement from your baseball career so far are you most proud of?
A: Probably making the Area Code Games and getting the opportunity to play, because only a small amount of people get to play in those games and I was honored to be one of them. It was surreal and very humbling, because everyone there is just as good or better than you so you have to really take your game to another level.
Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game?
A: My strongest part is probably my mental approach. I have a strong mindset and I really work hard to be positive when I'm on the mound pitching. When I was younger I wasn't as strong mentally — my mom and dad sat me down and told me I needed to figure this out, and ever since then I've been very cool, calm, and collected when I pitch.
Q: Who influenced you to get into baseball?
A: My dad influenced me to start playing, just by throwing the ball around the yard. He didn't play baseball, so it didn't make much sense to me at the time, but I loved it. I liked how simple the game was, but also how complex it could be at the same time.
Q: If you weren't playing baseball, what sport would you most want to play?
A: Probably track and field. I was always fast growing up, and I'm still decently fast and I love to race, so that's something I would like to do.
Q: If you could have one MLB player's pitch, what would it be?
A: I would have to choose Luis Castillo's changeup. It has dead sidespin and almost a three o'clock spin axis on it — I try and get my changeup to be exactly like his because it's very effective, especially at the Major League level.
Q: If you could face one Major League Baseball player right now, who would it be and why?
A: I would want to face Keston Hiura because he came from the same high school as me and I think that would be really cool.
Q: What are some of your non-baseball hobbies you enjoy spending free time on?
A: Cornhole and ping pong, I just like to hang out and mess around with those games. I'm decently good at both so it's fun. I'm pretty good at ping pong, but I don't know what to compare it to because none of my friends are very good — I've never lost to any of my friends, that's what counts.
Q: What does your pregame/gameday routine look like?
A: I like to keep it pretty simple. Once I get to the field I will roll out all my muscles and do some dynamic stretching, some static stretching. Then I move into my shoulder tube and plyo ball routine. After that I go throw and I'll keep it simple and easy so I don't over-work myself.
Quick Hits:
Favorite baseball player: Joe Kelly
Favorite MLB team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Favorite baseball movie: Major League
Favorite gameday snack: Breakfast; over-easy eggs with some toast and fruit
Favorite TV show: That '70s Show
Favorite movie: Step Brothers