Name: Brady Wotruba
Parents: Katie and Nate Wotruba
Activities: Baseball and basketball
Twitter: @WotrubaBrady
Brady is wrapping up a stellar athletic career for the Red Raiders that saw him emerge as the second-leading scorer on the basketball team this past year and as a standout shortstop and pitcher on the baseball diamond. He has committed to Ripon College for baseball.
What is the best part of your baseball game?
“I’d probably say fielding.”
What are the keys to being a good fielder?
“You want to have smooth hands, quick feet and being able to get to the baseball when it’s coming right at you.”
Did it hurt not having a freshman season of baseball in 2020?
“I don’t think it really affected me. I don’t know if I got to play my summer season that year, I don’t really remember.”
Do you have anything to prove during your senior baseball season?
“I don’t think I really have anything to prove besides that it is my senior year. That’s as much as I can prove.”
You committed to Ripon College. Why is Ripon the right place for you?
“I really liked the coach there. I liked the small-town feel. Their college is really small. It’s not really close, but it’s also not really far. I think that helped. I also wanted to play baseball where I could compete for a spot to play all four years.”
What are some of your reflections on your high school basketball career?
“I think I could’ve put more time into it. That was my big thing this past year – I started putting more time in later in the season. I think I would’ve been more successful if I put more time in earlier. Otherwise, I think that we competed in every single game. I’m not looking back at it mad, like if our record doesn’t say it or something like that.”
What was your role on the basketball team for Pulaski?
“I think I was a leader on the court. I knew the plays. My team needed me to score and contribute – I was the second-leading scorer. On the defensive side, I needed to talk, guard one of their best guards, that kind of thing.”
Does the baseball team ever go out to eat after games?
“After a win, we’ve been going to Wouter’s on County B for the last couple years. We go there for wings after.”
Which artists are on top of your music playlist right now?
“I listen to Drake, Lil Baby, Rihanna and Taylor Swift.”
What is a favorite show that you’ve watched recently?
“I don’t watch a lot of TV. If I do, it’s mainly sports stuff like ESPN or a Brewers game.”
What are a couple of your hobbies?
“I like to hang out with my friends. I like to go golfing with them, and I also do disc golf.”
Do you have a favorite golf course?
“No, not really. I’m not very good, so I just like hanging out with friends and having fun. I’ve gone to Crystal Springs a lot in Seymour, so if I had to pick one, it would probably be that.”
Do you have any pets at home?
“I have a dog and a cat.”
Where is a favorite place that you’ve traveled to?
“We used to travel a lot. Before I started playing club baseball, we traveled and we went to different MLB stadiums. I think my favorite place was probably the Kansas City Royals stadium or the Chicago Cubs stadium. In Kansas City, the atmosphere and the outfield beyond the seats was really cool.”
What will your academics look like at Ripon?
“I’m going to major in exercise science and then I will eventually go on to PT school.”