When it comes to dominating the competition on the mound and at the plate, Brother Rice junior Ryan Kutt is, well, a cut or two above the competition.
The Illinois recruit is hitting .438 with 10 doubles, six homers and 31 RBI in 20 games.
On the mound, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-hander is 5-0 with an 0.62 ERA.
Those are Player of the Year numbers.
“I came out this season with a little more attitude,” said Kutt, an Orland Park resident. “I wanted to do anything I could to help the team on the mound and at the plate.”
Kutt has made it a point to be a little more aggressive at the plate. Instead of settling for making contact, he’s trying to provide more power and be a run-producer.
“I’m standing up a little taller in my stance and trying to use my size to my advantage,” Kutt said. “I’m trying to barrel the ball up and smoke the ball as hard as I can.”
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There’s also a little more smoke coming from Kutt’s fastball, which can reach the low 90s. While the added velocity is a bonus, it’s the command of his pitches, which include a slider and change-up, that’s proved to be the biggest difference from his previous two seasons on the varsity.
“This is the best I’ve ever felt on the mound,” Kutt said. “The ball is coming out of my hand really well and the results are better.”
Kutt’s numbers are even more impressive when you consider he went through a two-hour surgery in December to remove fluid from his chest. The outpatient procedure prohibited him from picking up a baseball and a bat for a month.
“I was going nuts,” said Kutt, who plays first base when he’s not pitching. “Usually I don’t start throwing until the end of January or early February. So that wasn’t a big deal. But I usually don’t take any time off hitting. What the time off did was make me even more motivated to help my team.”
Brother Rice (18-2) has been on a tear, winning 17 straight games after starting the season 1-2.
While Kutt has led the charge, he’s benefitted from having hitters in front and behind him producing. Michigan State recruit Ryan King (.341), Indiana State recruit Jack Guzek (.380), fellow Illinois recruits Mike Massey (.391, 23 RBI) and Andrew Dyke (.397, 21 RBI) hit ahead of Kutt in the No. 5 hole. Joe Preusser (.386) hits behind Kutt. As a team, the Crusaders are hitting .355.
The pitching staff has been equally dominant. Guzek (4-0, 1.54 ERA), Jack Nelligan (3-1, 1.52) and Joe Butler (3-0, 1.26) have provided exceptional support behind Kutt.
“When your pitching staff keeps you in games, it allows your bats to ease in,” Brother Rice coach John McCarthy said. “The offense doesn’t feel the pressure to have to hit like when you’re behind a bunch of runs.”
Wisz set to return: Lemont has been without the services of returning All-Area infielder Nick Wisz, who has been out approximately two weeks with an injured left shoulder. The injury occurred while Wisz was swinging a bat during a game. Lemont coach Brian Storako believes Wisz will return sometime this week.
“It’s a big loss for us,” Storako said. “He’s getting better. We want to make sure he’s completely healthy before we bring him back.”
Did you know: Sandburg coach Jim Morsovillo earned the 100th win of his career Monday when the Eagles defeated Homewood-Flossmoor 11-3. A 1992 gradute of Sandburg, Morsovillo is in his fifth season leading his alma mater.
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TOP 10
Results through Tuesday. Last week’s ranking in parentheses.
1. Brother Rice 18-2 (5)
2. Sandburg 13-0 (7)
3. Providence 16-3 (3)
4. St. Rita 16-3 (1)
5. Mount Carmel 15-3 (2)
6. Lincoln-Way North 15-3 (6)
7. St. Laurence 15-4 (8)
8. Lemont 12-5 (4)
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9. Oak Forest 12-4 (NR)
10. Lincoln-Way West 12-3 (NR)
Player of the Week: Richards’ Nick Mejia, a senior infielder, was 6-for-11 (.546) with two doubles, a homer, three runs and five RBIs.