Opportunity With Oakland Keeps Krill Near Home

WHITE LAKE - A connection with Jordan Banfield led Kevin Krill to a college not far from home.

Oakland is the future destination for the Lakeland International Academy senior after a recent commitment by the sixth-ranked 2021 catcher in Michigan.

“Back in February I went to a prospect camp at Akron and coach Banfield liked what he saw of me there,” reflected Krill, referring to the former assistant coach at Akron who was named the Oakland University head coach at the end of May. “He and (Akron head) coach (Chris) Sabo offered before coronavirus.”

When Banfield took over the program at Oakland, interest was renewed in Krill.

“I talked to him as a recruit and said I wanted to see the campus,” related Krill, who lives 40 minutes from the university. “I eventually made the decision on Oakland. I’m excited to see coach Banfield there. I think he can revitalize the program.”

While times were tough for most when it came to recruitment during a spring season without baseball, Krill had an advantage..

“Previous to the virus I had a much better track record than some of the others,” Krill noted. “I’d played over 50 games my freshman and sophomore years with my high school team so that was very helpful. It helped give me an opportunity with Oakland.”

The new head coach of the Horizon League school likes what he sees in the 41st-rated senior in the state.

“Coach Banfield thinks I’m a lock-down catcher that can block, receive and throw,” the 6-1 195-pounder said. “I was only thought about as a defensive catcher before but now he recognizes I have some power at the plate.”

That is an area of the game Krill has made big strides.

“A lot of the improvements I’ve made are because of my metrics,” Krill explained. “I’m more of an athlete now. I’m stronger and faster. Previously, I played well in-game but my metrics weren’t there. Now I’m mid-90s (exit velo) and my catcher velo is 82. I’ve developed a lot of power with that and I’ve also dropped my pop time to 1.9. I’m proud about that.”

One other state school was highly considered by Krill.

“Before covid I was talking to Michigan State,” Krill noted. “They wanted to see me in games. There were things in the works with other schools, but Michigan State was the main one. But when this opportunity came along I didn’t want to wait.”

Kril points to two areas he believes he can provide the Oakland program.

“I can lock it down behind the plate and my bat consistently produces,” Krill said. “Throughout my whole life I’ve been a good contact hitter that produces in games. But I’ve really developed a lot of power over the last year. It took awhile against live pitching this summer, but I eventually showed it.”

Academics is another strong point for Krill, who carries a 4.0 GPA with plans to major in engineering in college.

“Oakland has a good engineering program, that was part of what went into the decision,” Krill pointed out.

It is a decision that means a lot to the first ranked player in the 2021 class of Michigan to make a commitment to Oakland.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing D-I baseball,” Krill said. “It’s what I’ve been working toward. Since it’s near home, and there are only a couple schools near home, I’m thankful for the opportunity to play there. Growing up I’d seen the campus and how it’s developed over the years. It seems like they’re building things there every year.”

Krill hopes a winning baseball program is also in the works at Oakland and happy to be a port of it.

“It’s a relief to be going somewhere I’m wanted,” Krill said. “While there were definitely some concerns, I was confident I’d land somewhere with the tools I had developed leading up to the shutdown.”