OF/RHP Gavin Weissenburger (Living Word Lutheran, 2026) is an athletic right-handed hitting outfielder with a high ceiling to go along with an overall raw skillset, however the ability to find the barrel to pair with the natural strength and athletiscm takes over and allows him to compete at a high level. It doesn't take much in terms of projection to see Weissenburger impacting a colliegiate roster whether that be in the lineup or on the mound.

We recently had the chance to talk to Gavin's 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?

Gavin: I didn’t know what to expect at first because it was my first time in the process. I knew that I put in a lot of work to get where I was at and I knew it was gonna pay off, Prep Baseball helped get my name out there from different Twitter posts. I was looking for a college program that I knew would push me to be the best player I can be, that was my biggest thing. Also a great coaching staff who helps with development as well.  

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

G: What I like most about Parkside's Baseball program is how competitive they are and how much they are willing to improve themselves. I visited in the middle of the offseason and they had a number of players inside the facilty getting swings and that just showed a lot of dedication to improvement, I like the atmosphere there too. I like how the coaches weren’t the same as every other coach, they asked me different and deeper questions that weren’t just a yes or no answer and it shows there really care for me as a person and a athlete.

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

G: The number one thing I would say is to keep working. You have to remember that if you're not working one day, someone else is and that someone else is getting ahead of you. Don’t compare yourself to others too much instead be inspired by those ahead of you and use it as motivation for your process. Lastly stay out of your head because when you play loose and free it’s it much better than thinking and being in your head.   

PB: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

G: I think that if the right school were further away rather, I would’ve picked that school. But it just so happens to be that Parkside was a fit for me and it was pretty close in state so it was really good. I’ve always had dreams of playing somewhere south but I know that I would get homesick too so you just have to test everything out and see.  

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

G: The process really started heating up for me probably in the summer of my junior year. More coaches came to watch me play and were reaching out. Parkside coaching staff first saw me play in Iowa or Indiana.    

PB: Was there a particular Prep Baseball tournament or showcase that helped accelerate your recruiting process? If yes, how so?

G: I only went to one showcase and having a profile helped a lot but I think the showcase games was the biggest Prep Baseball event that helped me. It helped me get noticed with all the coaches watching and you got to play against the best competition in the state. It’s a great way to get your name out there for sure.      

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

G: Other than Parkside I had offers from MATC, Winona State, and Rock Valley College. Some D3 schools had reached out and I was invited to a few D1 camps.    

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

G: The best player I faced was probably Cail Geiger. What makes him tough is he is an amazing pitcher who throws hard and has good offspeed, it's a good mix in general. He knows how to get guys out at the plate.   

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?

G: Dominic Santerelli and his strength. He hits the ball harder than anyone I know and can still move quick at his size.   

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

G: Jackson Oliver. He has a lot of potential that will be met soon.     

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?

G: My freshman year. I knew that baseball was my favorite sport out of the three I played and that if I had a chance to play a college sport it would be baseball. That’s when I started working harder and harder to become a college baseball player.    

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

G: Probably in Iowa my 16u year with MBA when I hit a walk off triple off the centerfield wall.  

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

G: I think we’re gonna be good and underrated. Tougher schedule for us this year but I’m not scared of tough competition and we are gonna ball out for sure. I’m excited.  

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