Follow Friday Q&A with Cameron LaLiberte
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This is the 18th and final installment of the Arizona Baseball 2020 Follow Friday series, in which we have highlighted 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 Cameron LaLiberte, a catcher who most recently played at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and hails from Gilbert, Arizona.
Previous editions of Follow Friday: Jacob Berry | Kyle Casper | Chase Davis | Riley Cooper | Daniel Susac | TJ Nichols | Austin Smith | TJ Curd | Ryan Kysar | Chase Silseth | Jack Grant | Mason Millett | Tanner O'Tremba | Nik McClaughry | Tag Bross | Javyn Pimental | Trevor Long
Q: What made you choose Arizona?
A: I'm an Arizona native and grew up in Gilbert, so this was always a dream school of mine. After high school I went to a junior college and then I got the opportunity to come to the U of A, and of course I was going to go to my dream school.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most in your first year at Arizona?
A: In my first year I'm really looking to develop as a catcher while working with coach Lawn and alongside the other catchers, Daniel Susac and Kaden Hopson. Really focusing on improving my receiving and my confidence in managing the field and the defense.
Q: What achievement from your baseball career so far are you most proud of?
A: In high school, both in my junior and senior years, I was able to maintain a batting average above .450. Also, I had the opportunity to try out for the Area Code Games — I didn't make it, but I still see it as a great accomplishment to even be invited to try out. The tryouts were great, being around all of the best players in the state — it made me feel accomplished and proud, being there with the big dogs.
Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game?
A: I never give up. Nothing has ever come easy to me or been given to me, so I have always been a go-getter. I'm always putting in extra work, I'm always trying my best to achieve my goals. So I would say the strongest part of my game is doing everything I can to help my teammates and win.
Q: Who influenced you to get into baseball?
A: I never really had anyone who got me into it. I started playing when I was probably five years old; I never exactly had an idol in the game to look up to, but my parents always pushed me to be the best I could be. So they didn't get me into it, but they influenced me to master my craft while also having fun with it.
Q: If you weren't playing baseball, what sport would you most want to play?
A: I would probably either be playing football, because I'm pretty athletic with my speed and height, or volleyball. In middle school I was on the men's volleyball team and it was pretty fun. I loved how volleyball was high-energy and high-tempo. There is always a play happening and it's very dependent on your team being close and working together to put together rallies.
Q: If you could have one MLB player's skill, what would it be?
A: Mike Trout's plate discipline. Most people admire his swing and his power, but I really feel like his mental approach and his mentality around hitting is what makes him successful.
Q: If you could face one Major League Baseball player right now, who would it be and why?
A: I would probably want to face Clayton Kershaw. He has some nasty off speed pitches and I would love to face someone with that much artillery and pitches in his back pocket.
Q: What are some of your non-baseball hobbies you enjoy spending free time on?
A: I like woodworking. One summer my mom was looking into building a gazebo in our backyard; she had guys come out to estimate what it would cost and it was going to run $40,000 or something crazy. So instead she and I watched some YouTube videos to see if we could do it ourselves and while we were watching it the process didn't seem that hard at all. Next thing you know I'm building a 40-foot long gazebo and it was really fun. I enjoy the creativity involved and the challenge of organizing the project to put the whole thing together.
Q: What does your pregame/gameday routine look like?
A: I always make sure to show up to the field early to get my early work in. As a catcher I always need to get my stretches in for my hips, get loosened up. After that I'll probably eat a couple of the PB&Js that I packed because I get pretty hungry, and then it's game time. My biggest thing is getting there early, getting loose before everyone else.
Quick Hits:
Favorite baseball player: Paul Goldschmidt
Favorite MLB team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Favorite baseball movie: Moneyball
Favorite gameday snack: Skittles
Favorite TV show: The Mandalorian
Favorite movie: Interstellar