University of Minnesota Athletics
Circling the Bases... with Easton Bertrand
12/15/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS ââ'¬" GopherSports.com asked the tough questions of Minnesota's nine rookies ahead of the 2018 spring season. Get to know the Gopher freshmen by "circling the bases" beginning with outfielder Easton Bertrand.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 195-pound native of Manteno, Illinois ranked ranking among the top prospects nationally and was the no. 4 outfielder in the state according to Prep Baseball Report when he signed with Minnesota last year. He earned an All-American Honorable Mention from Rawlings-Perfect Game last spring despite missing time due to a hand injury. He comes from an athletic background as his father earned All-America honors playing at Lewis University and his mother competed in softball during college.
| HIT & RUN |
| Favorite Musical Artist/Group: Travis Scott Favorite Movie: The Longest Yard Favorite TV Show: Ballers Favorite Book/Author: John Grisham Favorite Actor or Actress: Scarlett Johansson Favorite Restaurant: Culver's Favorite Game/Video Game: NBA 2K Favorite Professional Athlete: Kris Bryant Favorite Professional Team: Chicago Cubs Favorite Hobby (outside of sports): movies Dream Vacation Spot: Bora Bora Prized Possession: phone Biggest Pet Peeve: being late Biggest Fear: snakes Person You'd Like to Meet: Will Smith Something You Never Leave Home Without: phone Sport You'd Like to Try but Never Have: soccer |
EB: "The coaching staff appealed to me very much. I enjoyed their future plans with the program and I knew I had to be a part of it. I believe that this coaching staff can help me get to be the best player I can be on, and off, the field."
GS: When did you first start playing baseball and how did you get involved in the sport?
EB: "I started playing baseball around the age of 5. My dad played in college so he had a big influence on me to want to follow in his footsteps."
GS: What would you say is your biggest strength in your sport? What is an area of improvement?
EB: "My biggest strength would be my speed and athleticism. An improvement would be consistency in
strength to compete at the next level."
GS: Do you have any game day rituals?
EB: "I listen to music."
GS: What is your most memorable moment of playing your sport?
EB: "I once hit a walk-off grand slam on my birthday."
GS: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
EB: "My parents for always encouraging and supporting me throughout the years as I was traveling the country playing baseball to further my career."
GS: Did you play any other sports besides baseball?
EB: "No."
GS: What are you most looking forward to for this upcoming season?
EB: "Building relationships with my teammates and coaches and developing my skills to contribute this season."
GS: Do you have any advice for aspiring youth athletes?
EB: "Don't let others take away your goals."
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