Campus Newcomer: Cretin-Derham Hall LHP John Henry Kohorst

We continue our Iowa Baseball Campus Newcomer series with an incoming freshman pitcher who comes to Iowa City fresh off of a Class 4A Minnesota State Title. Cretin-Derham Hall left-handed pitcher John Henry Kohorst was a pivotal piece on the Raiders championship roster and now will turn his focus to his upcoming freshman year at Iowa. He is rated as the #5 player in Minnesota and the #81 left-handed pitcher in the country by Perfect Game.

Kohorst had his junior season cut short due to injury, but had a 0.73 ERA over 9.2 innings, including 12 strikeouts to four walks. This past season, as a senior, he posted a 2.58 ERA over 19.0 innings, including 26 strikeouts to seven walks. At the plate he finished with a .414 batting average and a .494 on-base percentage. He was named to the All-Minnesota Team by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

We caught up with the 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-handed pitcher from the North Star State to preview his upcoming freshman year with the Hawkeyes.

Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?

KOHORST: I move to Iowa City on August 16th. I’m super excited to get down there and get to work right away.

Q: What number do you plan to wear and why?

KOHORST: I plan to wear number 20. There is no reason for choosing 20, I just liked the number.

Q: You won at AAAA State Championship and were named an All-Minnesota selection by the Star Tribune. What did it mean to you to be able to accomplish those things to close out your high school career?

KOHORST: It was incredible. Our team worked so hard this year, and we knew that if we kept our heads down, we could achieve our goal of winning a state title. It was an honor to be selected All-State. I just wanted to do my best to contribute and play a part in our success this year. I feel truly blessed to have been selected.

Q: What pitches do you have in your arsenal? What do you consider your best pitch and why?

KOHORST: I have a fastball, a slider, a splitter, and a curveball. My best pitch is my splitter, it overlays really well with my fastball, and I am super confident throwing it to both lefties and righties.

Q: Looking back at your recruitment, what stood out about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?

KOHORST: It really felt like home, the coaching staff made it feel like a great competitive environment. We have a really strong fan base too, which I am excited to play for. The development played a huge factor too; they develop great pitchers and send them to the next level year in and year out.

Q: Were there any other schools that you heavily considered during your recruitment?

KOHORST: There were some I considered, but Iowa was always at the top for me with the coaching staff, player development, the competitiveness, a school that wins and also offers strong academics. Iowa checked all the boxes for me.

Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?

KOHORST: I have an awesome relationship with the coaches. I talk to Coach Sutherland and Coach Kenny the most. They are all great coaches, and I’m super excited to play under Coach Heller and the entire staff.

Q: After you committed there was a change at pitching coach. What about your conversations with Coach Sean Kenny kept you locked into your commitment to Iowa?

KOHORST: Both Coach Kenny and Coach Sutherland reassured me that I had a place on the team, which is all I needed to hear.

Q: What have you been doing since the end of your high school season to prepare for you arrival on campus this fall?

KOHORST: I have hit it hard this summer with a strict and consistent lifting and nutrition plan as well as a great throwing plan.

Q: If someone asked you ““what do you bring to the Iowa Baseball team?” How would you describe your game?

KOHORST: They are getting a hard worker, a strong competitor and a good teammate. Whatever situation I am put in, I give my all and whatever it takes to help my team win.

Q: What is your relationship like with the other incoming freshman? Current players?

KOHORST: It has been great getting to know them. We all met on our visit back in October and keep in touch over social media too. We all seem to mesh really well.

Q: What are your goals for your freshman season at Iowa? What areas of your game do you want to improve?

KOHORST: I want to get stronger and more familiar in tough situations. I think I can improve how I mix my pitches and how to manage my body through tough workloads.