Friends’ Central shortstop Gil Dreyfuss is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The senior shortstop and co-captain was batting .553, with an on-base percentage of .653 and an OPS of 1.443 (as of April 24), batting out of the No. 3 spot in the lineup for the Phoenix. He has also become the team’s closer. Last spring, he was a first team All-Friends’ School League and All-Main Line selection, batting .413 with a .495 on-base percentage and 1.081 OPS, collecting 31 hits and eight doubles and scoring 29 runs, and posting a 1.87 ERA and two saves on the mound.
A: I certainly had to make quite an adjustment, as I began to see more off-speed pitches, but I quickly became comfortable hitting third.
Q: Do you feel it’s necessary to have one outstanding pitch as the closer?
A: I certainly do feel it’s necessary, and it has definitely helped to be comfortable throwing my curve ball. But most importantly, as a closer, I have found that being efficient, throwing outs and pounding the strike zone is key.
Q: As the team’s shortstop and co-captain, do you consider yourself as the on-field leader of the infield? Can you give an example of how you exercise that leadership?
A: Being a senior and captain on the team has definitely pushed me to further my leadership skills on and off the field. I always strive to set the right tone and constantly lead by example.
Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: I feel like I am an effective leader and player on both sides of the ball, but this year I have been seeing the ball well, leading to quality at bats and success at the plate. Also this year I have found myself in a new role as closing pitcher. In past years I have been an occasional relief pitcher, and sometimes even a starting pitcher, but I am currently working on developing my role as the go-to closing pitcher.
Q: What has been your most memorable experience as closer?
A: My most memorable moment as a closer came this year when I recorded the save against one of our rivals, Shipley. After coming in with bases loaded and only 1 out, I managed to maintain our lead and get the job done. Additionally, it was one of my first games in the closer position and it helped me build my comfortability and confidence in my new role.
Q: Who have been your biggest baseball mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: My senior captain from last year, Ardon Fryer, had a huge influence on me and my baseball game. The most important thing he taught me was how to work extremely hard, and take something very seriously, but to still have a great time while doing it. Additionally, my head coach, Jon Rubin, who holds not only me, but our entire team to the highest of standards, has greatly helped me develop my role as a person, leader and player.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: Not much of a routine, just need my white Nike dry-fit socks, and my wrists taped.
Q: What has been the most memorable moment of your Friends’ Central School baseball career?
A: This year on our spring break trip to Myrtle Beach we faced a team from Ohio under the lights, heavy rain, and even thunder. After our lineup smoked the ball top to bottom and went up 8-0 in the first half inning we had to take a rain delay, in which we beat the other team in sliding contests, tic-tac-toe and most importantly dance offs. Oh, and we also went on to win 14-4.
Q: What colleges are among your current favorites? What do you think you might want to major in? Is there a particular career path that interests you at the present time?
A: I am currently deciding between George Washington University, University of Pittsburgh, and Drexel University, and definitely struggling to choose – I’ll probably end up having to use a three-sided coin! I have always been interested in the sciences and engineering and hope to do something within that field, but honestly, I don’t really know. However, I do know that I will try and play baseball wherever I go.
Fun facts – Gil Dreyfuss
Favorite book: The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien.
Favorite author: Maya Angelou.
Favorite TV show: Psych.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Trap Anthem – A$AP Ferg ft. Migos [clean version, of course]
Favorite team: Friends’ Central Phoenix.
Favorite place to visit: Israel (my dad’s birthplace) and Hawaii (my mom’s birthplace).
Favorite pre-game meal: Sweet and Spicy David’s sunflower seeds.
Birth date: Oct. 16, 1997 in Boston, Mass.
Family members: Lorna (mom), Arnon (dad), Ilan (brother).
(To be selected Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
