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Circling the Bases ... with Andrew Wilhite
1/25/2019 11:11:00 AM | Baseball
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HIT & RUN
Favorite actor or actress: Samuel L. JacksonFavorite athlete: Tom Brady Favorite book or author: George Orwell Favorite class you're taking at the U of M: Psychology Favorite game/video game: none Favorite hobby (outside of sports): hanging out with friends Favorite musical artist or band: Khalid Favorite Netflix show or movie: The Office Favorite professional team: Chicago Cubs Favorite restaurant: Chipotle Favorite app or website: Snapchat Biggest fear: spiders Biggest pet peeve: people that chew with their mouth open Dream vacation spot: Hawaii Person you'd most like to meet: Denzel Washington Something you never leave home without: phone Sport you'd like to try but never have: hockey Funniest teammate: Cole McDevitt Hardest-working teammate: Eli Wilson Most competitive teammate: Jordan Kozicky Most studious teammate: Chase Stanke |
Yet another son of a baseball coach in this freshman class, Wilhite's father Scott Wilhite was his head coach at Stillman Valley High School where he was a two-way player for the Cardinals. On the mound, Wilhite was an ambidextrous pitcher who could throw with either arm, but he'll focus on playing in the field for the Maroon & Gold. The 2018 Rawlings-Perfect Game All-American Honorable Mention was named the IHSBCA Class 3A State Player of the Year earlier this offseason. During his prep career, he earned All-State, All-Area, and First Team All-Conference selections and played his prep baseball alongside Gopher teammate Chase Stanke for Top Tier Hoffman.
Entering the season, he ranked as the no. 6 shortstop and no. 37 overall player in Illinois according to Prep Baseball Report. Perfect Game named him the nation's no. 286 player. During his first taste of the collegiate game at this fall's Steak 'n' Beans series, he ranked fifth with a .286 batting average and fourth with his .992 OPS (on-base plus slugging).
GopherSports.com: Why did you choose to attend the University of Minnesota?
Andrew Wilhite: "The combination of academics and baseball [along with] the winning culture and family atmosphere attracted me to the University of Minnesota.
GS: When did you first start playing baseball and how did you first get involved in the sport?
AW: "I first started playing baseball when I was about six years old. I have always been around baseball with my father being a coach, so it has always been a part of my life."
GS: What would you say is your biggest strength in your sport? What is an area of improvement for yourself?
AW: "My biggest strength is my approach and my hitting. Something I can improve on is my speed and lateral reaction time."
GS: Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?
AW: "No, I do not believe in them."
GS: What is your most memorable moment of playing your sport?
AW: "My most memorable moment is getting to the super sectional my senior year and winning the most games in our high school's history."
GS: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
AW: "My father has been the biggest influence on my athletic career."
GS: Did you play any other sports besides baseball growing up?
AW: "I played football for three years in high school."
GS: What are you most looking forward to in this upcoming season?
AW: "I am looking forward to having fun and winning baseball games."
GS: Do you have any advice for aspiring youth athletes?
AW: "Never give up and always believe in yourself, because that is what is most important."
Gopher Baseball season tickets are available now! The Maroon & Gold return to campus on Friday, March 29 against Nebraska. This 21-game package includes Minnesota's game against Oklahoma at Target Field on Saturday, April 20. Click here to purchase yours today.
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