Campus Newcomer: Cedar Rapids Kennedy RHP Rowan Donels

The Iowa Baseball campus newcomer series moves on with another incoming freshman from the state of Iowa. Right-handed pitcher Rowan Donels comes to Iowa City by way of I-380, after playing his high school baseball at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Donels is rated as the #2 player in the state of Iowa and the #136 right-handed pitcher in the country by Perfect Game. He was a First Team 4A All-State selection this past season for the Cougars as a first baseman, but also turned in a 2.48 ERA over eight starts on the mound.

Rowan Donels (‘23, Iowa) working up to 94.2mph tonight, spinning the SL at 2600rpm and flashing a fading CH at 83-84mph. Athletic frame with strength in the lower half. Full arsenal shown here #MidwestProCase @ShooterHunt @prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/cIctmdI3LN

— PBR Iowa (@PBRIowa) February 23, 2023

We caught up with the 6-foot-4, 190 pound right-handed pitcher to discuss his move to Iowa and preview his upcoming freshman year for the Hawkeyes.

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

DONELS: I move down the 13th and am really excited to get to know the other freshmen and get to work right away.

Q: What number do you plan on wearing and why?

DONELS: I’m not sure what number I will be wearing yet.

Q: What did it mean to be named to the 4A All-State team this past season?

DONELS: It was an honor to be selected to the all-state team along with the other top guys in the state… many who are also playing their college ball at Iowa.

Q: How would you evaluate the way you played during your senior season?

DONELS: I had a pretty solid senior season. Numbers wise I was good however it will always bother me that we weren’t able to punch the ticket to state this year. It was easily the most enjoyable summer so far as I was able to play on the same field as my brother Ty who was a freshman.

Q: What pitches do you have in arsenal? What would you say is your best pitch?

DONELS: I throw a 4-seam fastball in the low 90s and up to 94, a slider in the low to mid 80s and a changeup in the low 80s. I think that my changeup will be the biggest pitch for me at the college level.

Q: What have you been doing since the high school season to prepare for when you join the team?

DONELS: Since the high school season ended I’ve been hitting the weight room hard to try to put on some more weight heading into the fall and am ramping my arm back up, so I’m good to go once I get to campus.

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

DONELS: Iowa stood out in the way that they develop pitchers. Coach Lund did a great job in the time that he was here and now Coach McGrath has really hit the ground running and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him day after day.

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

DONELS: I narrowed it down between Dallas Baptist and Iowa before I eventually committed to being a Hawkeye.

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

DONELS: I have talked to Marty since I was a freshman, so we have a good relationship then I have been talking to Coach McGrath ever since he got the job so we have a solid relationship as well. Recently I have mainly talked to Coach McGrath, so we can build throwing schedules and such.

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

DONELS: I like our class a lot and am close with all of the in-state kids. I look forward to getting to know the out of staters. Also I’ve known most of the sophomore class for a while so it’s nice to know most of the guys I’ll be working with everyday.

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

DONELS: I am someone who prides myself in being a leader and the best teammate that I can be regardless of what that role is. I will do whatever the team needs of me and whatever puts us in the best position to win games.

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

DONELS: My goals for my freshman season are to earn a bullpen spot and be an arm that we can rely on out of the pen. My biggest area of improvement this fall will be consistency. Baseball is a game of ups and downs and I need to stay steady throughout this fall without getting to high or to low.