Christian Lott already understood the importance of making adjustments in baseball.
But the Southern University recruit more recently learned to adapt to a different kind of change. After attending Simeon in Chicago for three years, Lott transferred to Neuqua Valley in Naperville.
“Simeon set the foundation of discipline and early development for Christian, but we wanted a better academic support and a school that was more college-focused now that would prepare him for college,” Lott’s mother, Christine, said. “It was based on academics.”
Transferring required a move. Lott’s parents agreed that he would live with his father in Naperville. Lott welcomed the change.
“Just knowing I was going to a better place with better resources that would help me was important,” he said. “It has helped me especially with math. I really struggle with math, so the move has better prepared me for college. I’ve also learned to advocate for myself here.”
Getting used to a new school hasn’t been easy, though.
“It’s been a huge difference,” Lott said. “I got lost a lot in the first few weeks. I had to look at my schedule all the time. I was walking through wrong wings and clustered hallways with so many students and now being around new people.
“It was a culture shock being around different people every day and all the new names and teachers. But I learned a lot at Simeon, just to be myself and to lead instead of follow, which has helped me here.”
Lott, who has a 3.8 GPA, is getting adjusted to new surroundings on the field too. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound senior right-hander has a 2.86 ERA after two appearances for the Wildcats (2-6). He has struck out five in 7 1/3 innings. He also is batting .308 with six RBIs.
Lott, who said his velocity has topped out at 88 mph, has relied on a fastball, a circle change-up, a slider and a splitter so far this season.
“I was little rocky in my first outing because of the new mound,” he said. “I was trying too hard. My second outing, I figured things out. I was fine after a rocky first inning. I was finding the zone, getting ground balls, and I trusted my defense.
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“I feel like I’ve developed more as a pitcher and know what pitches to throw.”
Neuqua Valley coach James Thornton is impressed.
“Christian’s transfer was a big surprise to me,” Thornton said. “We never get transfers. I was really surprised, but then I heard his resume. I also started getting calls from coaches that I knew in the city. He’s doing well for us.”
Neuqua Valley junior catcher Malachi Sherman said the entire team was excited that “a big arm was coming to our school” and made sure Lott felt comfortable during offseason workouts. Senior shortstop Colton Maita agreed.
“He wasn’t very shy, and all the guys liked having him around, and that included him in hangouts and conversations,” Maita said. “We all had a good opportunity to get to really know one another and have fun with each other.”
Lott confirmed that he’s enjoying his time with his new teammates.
“I really like my new team,” he said. “I’m having fun with my teammates. I feel good and am ready to go. I have a good team behind me, and our bats have woken up since our trip down South.”
Thornton said Lott, who also plays first base and bats third in the lineup, is just scratching the surface of his potential.
“He has a live arm,” Thornton said. “He’s very composed, listens and makes adjustments. He’s not a thrower. He sets up hitters and understands how to hit spots. He has a repeatable motion and is tall.
“I know he has more in the tank when he’s able to utilize his height. He has a very high ceiling. The best is yet come. His best pitching days are ahead of him.”
Christine Lott, a former four-sport standout at Simeon who played volleyball and basketball in college, has coached in high school for more than 10 years, including a stint at Simeon, and is the athletic director at CICS Ralph Ellison Academy in Chicago. She said her son has the drive to succeed.
“Christian has a strong will and has gone through some challenges, like his grandmother and cousin recently dying in less than a three-year span,” she said. “His resiliency and will to push through at a young age is impressive.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.