Just one year after believing he might be a back-end reliever for the New Trier varsity baseball team, senior Danny Katz committed to Northwestern University to continue his playing career.

At this time last year, Katz seemed destined for the bullpen or a spot starter at best, with a deep staff of seniors in front of him.

However, Katz capitalized on opportunities in spring and summer league, Junior Varsity (JV) games and some relief appearances with the varsity squad to earn his way into the good graces of head coach Mike Napoleon.

“He was spotting his fastball, and moving it around the plate,” Napoleon said in an interview with CSL Insider. “He was able to throw consistent strikes with three pitches. I love the way he competes on the mound.”

Katz’s development has been apparent through the spring and summer seasons.

“I saw it in the spring, then again in the summer. He had a phenomenal summer, and I think that’s what took him over the edge as far as Northwestern goes. He won our most valuable pitcher award for the Wilmette Waves, and it was well deserved.”

Katz showed his “stuff” all summer, sporting a 5-1 record and 1.19 ERA. In addition, he struck out 31 in 35 1/3 innings pitched, also earning a save in the process.

He credited the experience he got towards the end of the spring logging varsity innings with his performance throughout the summer.

When it finally came time to making a college choice, Northwestern seemed like a no-brainer for Katz, who had spent multiple summers in the Northwestern Baseball Camp led by Northwestern coach Paul Stevens.

“When I played on the Glenview Blaze as a 13 and 14-year-old, we got a chance to practice in Northwestern’s indoor fieldhouse when it was cold outside every once and a while,” said Katz in an interview with CSL Insider. “I got to meet some of the players, and it was really cool to look up to them. So I’ve always kind of been around the program.”

While he was always connected to the program, Katz was also excited at the prospect of the fantastic opportunities Northwestern provides academically and athletically. He also loved the idea of his parents being able to come watch him pitch.

“I chose Northwestern because it provides such great academic and athletic opportunities, something not a lot of other universities can offer,” said Katz. “First and foremost I want to do my very best in the classroom and take advantage of the world-class education that Northwestern provides. It is also very cool that my parents will be able to attend all of my home games.”

Katz is now the second member of his family to play college baseball. His older brother Josh, who played baseball at New Trier and has continued his career at Washington University in St. Louis, has been a major influence on him.

“He’s always been a great role model for me,” said Katz. “His work ethic both off and on the field was something I was always exposed to, and it showed me first-hand what it takes to be successful.”

Now that the proverbial dust from the recruiting cycle has settled, Katz will take the mound in a Trevians uniform for one last spring before donning the purple and white a few miles down Sheridan Road.

“I’m most looking forward to just being outside playing baseball with my buddies,” said Katz. “That’s what baseball is all about, and this being my senior season, I really want to savor my last season with my friends.”

With a young, but budding roster, the Trevians will look to ride the arms of Katz and junior Ben Brecht, a recent verbal University of California-Santa Barbara commit, to another successful season after an appearance in the Class 4A sectional last year which ended in a loss to rival Evanston.

Katz is hoping he can help recreate some of the postseason success during his senior year as a starter before he dons a Northwestern jersey in Evanston next season.

“Last year, we definitely had high expectations,” concluded Katz. “This year we’ll have a younger team, and more learning to do. So we won’t have such high expectations from the start, but that will help us in the long run. I know we have a great team, and I think we can put a run together to have a great year.”