Q&A with John A. Logan Commit CJ Lake
May 2, 2026
We recently had the chance to talk to Lake about his recruitment process, along with some other fun topics, below.
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?
CJ: I’m looking for what will help me more in the long run to reach my ultimate goal of playing in the MLB, also wherever I feel like I fit in and I’m at home.
PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?
C: What I liked most was they are close and they win a lot. Some key factors were preparing me for the draft, early play[ing] time, and close to home.
PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
C: Know your why. Lots of people when they don’t want to do something, they don’t do it because they don’t have a reason to go do it, but if they think of why they are doing something, you do it for that reason.
PB: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
C: Yes, I want to be able to come home on some weekends and have my parents watch me play.
PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?
C: They started right on the August 1st of my junior year mark. John A. Logan saw me at multiple summer ball games.
PB: Was there a particular Prep Baseball tournament or showcase that helped accelerate your recruiting process? If yes, how so?
C: Yes the 2024 Future Games helped get my name out more, also the 2024 MPL helped have a few school reach out.
PB: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
C: Houston, Mizzou and TCU.
PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?
C: GT Taylor because he’s just a tough out and always has fight.
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?
C: I would steal the mentality of Tyler Putnam, he’s always looking at the positive and dominate the zone.
PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?
C: Ben Delic, his swing mechanics and his mindset is elite for his age.
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?
C: Freshman year is when my velo jumped hitting and pitching and I knew I could make this a career.
PB: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
C: Winning a Select 30 in KC in 11u and beating the best team in 5 different states.