LHP/1B Quinn Rooney (Benet Academy, 2027) is coming off a helium summer, shooting up our rankings as a result as he now sits at No. 11 in the state. A standout performer for his varsity squad as an underclassman, Rooney continued his momentum into the summer where he eventually earned an invite to represent Team Select at the Future Games, committing to Notre  Dame not long after. 

Listed at 6-foot-6, 198-pounds, Rooney provides significant upside as both a pitcher and a position player. He’s a quality athlete, especially for his size, running a 6.77 during the Future Games workout. The left-handed hitter has a swing you can dream on with his long-levered operation and easy strength, and you can expect him to continue to get stronger in the coming years. On the mound, he provides a tough look for opposing hitters, hiding the ball well before delivering his arsenal from a higher release window with notable extension. The fastball plays in the 88-89 mph range at its peak currently, and you can expect that number to continue to climb in the near future. 

We recently sat down with Rooney to talk through his recruitment process to Notre Dame, and much more. 

Our Q&A 

Prep Baseball: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Quinn: I expected the recruiting process to be very exciting, but also stressful, as you’re making one of the biggest decisions of your life. I was looking for a program that would give me an opportunity to compete at the highest level, while receiving a top tier education at the same time. I was also looking for a school that felt like home, where I could thrive both on and off the field. 

PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Q: The recruiting process really started to heat up for me at the end of the summer going into my junior year, specifically at the Future Games. That is where Notre Dame, along with many other schools, first got to see me play.

PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Q: The staff at Notre Dame has a plan for everyone on the team, and they care about developing you as a person, not just as a baseball player. They also really made me feel at home on my visit. I feel like I will be able to contribute to their success, and the people at Notre Dame want to not only better themselves, but also help the ones around them. It’s a unique environment that I can’t wait to be a part of. 

PB: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Q: The other schools on my list before I made my decision were Michigan, Northwestern, Harvard and Georgia Tech. 

PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Q: The best player I have faced in my state was Lucas Grant from Joliet Catholic. He threw all his pitches for strikes, and knew how to get outs effectively. He is definitely a tough left on left matchup. 

PB: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Q: I always believed I was able to play baseball in college, but I really became serious about taking my game to the next level in between my Freshman and Sophomore year. I realized playing in college was a very real possibility, so I took all the steps I could to make that a reality. 

PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Q: Keep having fun. Improvement in baseball definitely takes a lot of hard work and time, but baseball is supposed to be a fun game. I’ve always found that I played better when I was having fun. 

PB: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Q: The most memorable moment in my baseball career would have to be playing on ESPN for Hinsdale Little League, representing Illinois back in 2021. It was a surreal experience that I’ll never forget. 

PB: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Q: We are going to be a very competitive team. We have some solid returning players from last year, as well as a good group of younger guys who could fill roles for us. I’m super excited to see what we can do this year. 

PB: How did the Future Games and the Illinois State Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the events?

Q: The Future Games played a huge role in my recruitment process. I received a significant amount of attention afterwards, as there were hundreds of coaches all in one spot, making it very easy for them to come out and watch me play against some of the best talent in the entire country. 

PB: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

Q: Dylan Kassab’s power. 

PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

Q: Peter Pignatiello and Luke Crowder, both sophomores from Benet. 

PB: Did Prep Baseball assist in your recruiting? Whether it be through a showcase, tournament coverage, tweets, etc? If yes, please explain. 

Q: Prep Baseball Illinois definitely assisted in my recruiting. Specifically at the 3A State Tournament, they posted lots of content about my team, and tweeted out a couple of my hits specifically. They also put out a bunch of my videos from the Future Games, which helped me a lot in terms of exposure through social media. 

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